Denver Business Litigation Lawyers — Commercial Dispute Resolution in Colorado’s Business Capital
Denver is Colorado’s commercial center, and the business disputes that arise here reflect the full sophistication and scale of the state’s economy. A partnership dispute between founders of a tech startup with significant investor backing. A trade secret case in the cannabis industry involving proprietary formulations and customer data. A shareholder oppression claim in a closely held financial services firm. A major commercial contract dispute between companies with Denver operations and national reach. Burnham Law’s Denver business litigation attorneys handle these disputes with both the legal skill they require and the commercial judgment that protects the business — not just the lawsuit — in Colorado’s most demanding legal market.
Meet our Denver civil litigation team below — attorneys experienced in business disputes, commercial litigation, and complex multi-party matters in Denver District Court and throughout Colorado.
Andrew is a seasoned attorney with over a decade of experience in navigating complex legal challenges. He has successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases, including consumer protection matters, breach of warranty claims against major automotive manufacturers, mass tort litigation, and disputes with oil and gas companies. Andrew's approach is to combine meticulous preparation with practical problem-solving, a strategy that has consistently led to favorable outcomes for his clients. Throughout his career, Andrew has resolved hundreds of cases in state and federal courts, as well as in binding arbitration. His dedicated work has resulted in millions of dollars in recoveries for his clients. He is committed to achieving the best possible results, drawing on his extensive experience to provide comprehensive and effective legal counsel.
Brandon has partnered with business owners across every stage of the business lifecycle. His experience spans pre-litigation, third-party disputes, shareholder derivative actions, and business formation, as well as day-to-day advisory services. He is also a seasoned guide in complex transactions, including sales, mergers, and acquisitions. Throughout his career, Brandon has counseled clients through transactions ranging from several hundred thousand to mid-eight figures. Regardless of the deal’s scale, his objective remains steadfast: to provide a positive, measurable impact on his clients and their long-term business health. Brandon assists clients through all phases of litigation, from initial dispute resolution to mediation and arbitration. His background in transactional law provides him with a unique edge; having drafted the very contracts that often become the subject of legal disputes, he utilizes that intimate knowledge to navigate litigation effectively and help clients avoid future risks. When he is away from his practice, Brandon stays active by golfing and going to the gym. A self-proclaimed bourbon...
Brian Teed is a civil litigation attorney. He specializes in complex motions practice and appeals. Brian earned his Juris Doctor from Arizona State University, where he distinguished himself by interning for federal district judges and working for the United States Department of Justice in Washington, DC. He also served on the executive board of the Arizona State Law Journal and published two articles on constitutional issues. After graduating, Brian clerked on the Arizona Court of Appeals and the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. At Burnham, he has served clients with litigation and transactional needs, whether negotiating, litigating, or advising on the best path forward. Some of his successes include the defense of two six-figure judgments on appeal. From this broad experience, Brian is uniquely positioned to help clients navigate the complexities and stress of civil litigation, including appeals.
Prior to joining Burnham, Cody began his career at a general practice law firm focusing primarily on commercial litigation, real estate litigation, real estate transactions, trusts and estates, probate, and oil and gas. Since then, he has honed his skills as an advocate with a focus on assisting his clients in navigating all stages of litigation and arbitration. Specifically, Cody has done multiple trials, arbitrations, mediations, and depositions, obtaining efficient and favorable results for his clients. As a result of this experience, Cody is keenly aware of the litigation process, and the strategic nuances that lead to success before and during trial. Cody is also an experienced corporate attorney who assists clients in business/shareholder disputes, transactions, and corporate structuring in a wide variety of industries, including construction, real estate acquisition and development, lifestyle brands, and many more. In his off time, Cody enjoys hiking, skiing, trying some of Denver’s best places to eat, and spending time with his Labrador Ollie.
David is a highly experienced litigator and trial attorney focusing on commercial disputes, litigation, and arbitrations. He has been representing individuals and businesses for over three decades and is a relentless advocate and seasoned trial attorney. David has honed his skills practicing with both international firms (Shook, Hardy & Bacon, Dorsey & Whitney, and Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani), and respected local firms. He possesses extensive first-chair experience in civil trials, arbitrations, and appeals, offering clients dedicated and intense focus in a wide range of complex commercial matters. David grew up in Loveland, Colorado and attended the University of Denver's Daniels College of Business on a Boettcher Foundation Scholarship, earning a degree in Finance/Real Estate. He later received his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, where he was a member of the prestigious Minnesota Law Review and a director of the International Moot Court. David started his legal career in Kansas City focusing on pharmaceutical products liability litigation, before...
Erin has extensive experience representing clients in all phases of litigation in both state and federal courts, with a focus on employment litigation, business and commercial disputes, and appellate matters. She also has significant experience in estate planning and probate, advising individuals and families on preserving their legacies and guiding them through the probate process with clarity and compassion. In addition to her private practice work, Erin served as a law clerk to the Honorable Judge Jerry N. Jones of the Colorado Court of Appeals. She also previously clerked for the South Dakota Second Judicial Circuit, gaining valuable insight into the judicial process.
Kate strives to have a client-oriented practice where she can assist her clients in all stages of litigation. Prior to joining Burnham, Kate was an associate at an AmLaw Firm where she worked on various types of complex litigation representing large corporations, municipalities, and individuals. Before going into private practice, Kate was an Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County where she tried over twenty cases. Kate has been able to develop a well-rounded practice by working in both the private and public sectors. Kate has honed her skill sets from her prior experience so she can be a zealous advocate for her clients. In her spare time, Kate enjoys spending time with her husband in the outdoors, traveling, and visiting family.
Katlyn Schafer is passionate about helping her clients navigate their legal challenges by providing clear guidance, practical solutions, and strong advocacy at every stage of the process. Her practice spans a wide range of civil matters including personal disputes, consumer protection disputes, regulatory and administrative disputes, environmental disputes, and many others. Prior to joining Burnham Law, Katlyn worked as an Associate Attorney providing representation in worker's compensation disputes. During law school, Katlyn served on the editorial board for the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law. She interned with the Idaho Office of the Attorney General and gained experience working as a student-attorney to provide pro bono legal representation to various nonprofits in the New England area. In her free time, Katlyn can be found frequenting thrift stores, exploring the Colorado wilderness, and watching scary movies with her partner James and their pets, Gracie and Koda
Kayla is known for her effective legal strategies and creative solutions in resolving a wide range of disputes, including contractual issues, landlord/tenant matters, boundary disputes, and HOA conflicts. Kayla believes in understanding her clients' unique goals to secure the most beneficial results for them. Beyond her practice, Kayla is highly engaged in the legal community through volunteer board positions aimed at encouraging growth and supporting diverse voices. Her professional excellence has been consistently recognized, including being named a Top Attorney by Colorado Springs Magazine multiple times and a Super Lawyer Rising Star in 2024 and 2025. In her free time, Kayla enjoys reading, spending time with her daughter, and exploring the outdoors. She is an accomplished runner, having completed challenging races like numerous half marathons and the Pikes Peak Ascent.
Logan completed his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University at Albany, and recently earned his J.D. from William and Mary Law School. Before entering law school, Logan spent time working in the in-house legal department of a 3rd party commercial lending company. In this role he assisted with business development projects with clients ranging from local coffee shops to large commercial developers in New York City. Prior to joining Burnham, Logan began his legal career at a local Denver law firm primarily practicing civil litigation defense. Since joining Burnham, Logan has represented a diverse range of clientele ranging from individuals engaged in civil disputes to general commercial litigation. Logan has successfully negotiated various settlements in his clients’ favor, both prior to and after commencement of litigation, in case types such as breach of contract, property damage, negligence, partition, fraud, landlord/tenant disputes, and bad faith insurance denial. In his free time, you can find Logan on one of the...
Samaneh (Sam) Fard Wiley is motivated to help clients navigate legal challenges with compassion and practical guidance. She is committed to providing responsive communication, strategic advocacy, and personalized representation while helping clients achieve the best possible outcome. Before joining Burnham Law, Sam practiced law in Iran for more than 11 years, representing clients in a wide range of legal matters and building a strong foundation in litigation, advocacy, and client service. After relocating to the United States, she continued her legal career at a personal injury law firm in Grand Junction, Colorado, where she further developed her skills representing clients and navigating complex legal matters before becoming licensed to practice law in Colorado. Sam's diverse legal background and international perspective allow her to approach each case with thoughtful analysis, practical solutions, and a deep commitment to her clients. Outside the office, Sam enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, gardening, exploring new places, cooking, and spending time with friends.
Zac focuses mainly on civil litigation, and has experience with real estate litigation, real estate transactions and estate matters. He earned his bachelor’s degree and law degree at the University of Tennessee. In law school, he was a member of the Transactions: The Tennessee Journal of Business Law and a student-attorney in the Business Clinic. In his spare time, Zac enjoys spending time with his wife and dog outdoors hiking, going to various restaurants, and being with friends. Zac is a die-hard Minnesota sports fan and Tennessee Volunteer fan.
Business Litigation in Denver, Colorado
Denver’s economy is one of the most diverse and dynamic in the Rocky Mountain region — anchored by technology and aerospace companies, a major financial services sector, the state’s largest real estate market, Colorado’s cannabis industry headquarters, a significant healthcare and bioscience community, and the full range of professional services that support a major metropolitan economy. This commercial breadth generates a wide range of business disputes that flow through Denver District Court: partnership conflicts in early-stage companies, trade secret disputes in competitive technology markets, shareholder oppression in closely held professional firms, and major commercial contract litigation between sophisticated parties.
Business litigation in Colorado is governed by the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure and, for entity-level disputes, by the Colorado Business Corporation Act and the Colorado Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. Denver District Court handles some of the most significant and complex commercial cases filed anywhere in Colorado, and its judges are experienced with sophisticated business litigation. Cases filed in Denver District Court are evaluated by judges who have seen complex commercial matters from both sides — which means preparation, precision, and substantive depth matter more here than in less active civil courts.
Denver’s legal market is competitive and well-resourced. Opposing counsel in significant Denver business litigation is often from experienced commercial litigation firms with deep resources. Effective advocacy in this environment requires attorneys who match that preparation and experience — not counsel who is navigating this level of sophistication for the first time.
What Our Denver Business Litigation Attorneys Handle
Partnership, LLC, and co-founder disputes: Denver’s vibrant startup community and established business sector generate a wide range of partnership and co-owner conflicts — equity disputes, management authority disagreements, and fiduciary duty claims between business founders and partners. We represent business owners in these disputes from initial negotiation through dissolution proceedings in Denver District Court.
Shareholder disputes and oppression: Minority shareholders in Denver’s closely held corporations have legal protections against majority-shareholder misconduct — freeze-outs, exclusion from governance, and misuse of corporate assets. We pursue and defend shareholder oppression and breach of fiduciary duty claims under Colorado’s corporate statutes.
Trade secret and intellectual property disputes: Denver’s technology, cannabis, financial services, and aerospace sectors all depend on confidential information, proprietary processes, and competitive data that Colorado’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act protects. We pursue injunctions and damages for trade secret theft and defend businesses against misappropriation allegations in Denver District Court.
Non-compete and non-solicitation enforcement: Colorado’s evolving non-compete rules have significant implications for Denver’s technology, financial services, cannabis, and professional services sectors. We represent businesses enforcing these agreements and individuals defending against them, with current knowledge of Colorado’s 2022 legislative changes and how Denver District Court applies them.
Major commercial contract disputes: Disputes over significant commercial agreements — technology licensing, distribution arrangements, joint ventures, and major service contracts — are a core component of Denver business litigation. We handle high-stakes commercial contract disputes for Denver businesses and nationally-operating companies with Denver interests.
Cannabis business disputes: Denver is the center of Colorado’s cannabis industry, and cannabis business disputes — partner conflicts, investor claims, licensing disputes, and distribution disagreements — require attorneys who understand both commercial litigation and the cannabis regulatory framework. We handle cannabis business disputes with expertise in both dimensions.
How Denver Business Litigation Cases Work
Business litigation in Denver typically begins with an attempt at direct resolution — demand letters, management-level negotiation, or the dispute resolution process specified in the governing contract or operating agreement. Denver’s sophisticated legal market means that opposing counsel is often involved from the start of a significant business dispute. When direct resolution fails, the aggrieved party files in Denver District Court.
Emergency relief — temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions — is an important tool in Denver business litigation. When a trade secret is actively being misappropriated, assets are being dissipated before a claim can be asserted, or a departing employee is raiding a client base in real time, emergency court action can stop the harm before it becomes irreversible. Denver District Court judges are experienced with emergency business relief applications and evaluate them with the rigor that Denver’s legal market demands.
Business litigation cases in Denver District Court that don’t settle often proceed to bench trial before an experienced commercial judge. Denver’s judges have seen complex business litigation from sophisticated parties and expect the same level of preparation and precision from the attorneys who appear before them. Full trial preparation — thorough discovery, well-prepared experts, and tight legal arguments — is the foundation of both effective courtroom advocacy and credible pre-trial settlement leverage.
Why Burnham Law for Business Litigation in Denver
Denver District Court experience. We appear regularly in Denver District Court in business and commercial litigation matters. We understand this court’s expectations, its judges’ approaches to commercial cases, and what effective business litigation looks like in Colorado’s most sophisticated civil court.
Commercial sophistication matching the market. Denver’s legal market is competitive, and opposing counsel in significant business disputes is often experienced and well-resourced. Our commercial litigation experience and preparation match the demands of this market — which affects both courtroom outcomes and pre-trial settlement dynamics.
Cannabis business litigation expertise. Denver is Colorado’s cannabis hub, and cannabis business disputes require a unique combination of commercial litigation skill and regulatory knowledge. We handle cannabis business disputes in Denver District Court with genuine expertise in both the litigation and the industry framework.
Emergency relief capability. When a Denver business dispute requires immediate court action, we move quickly. Preparing and presenting an effective TRO application in Denver District Court requires both speed and precision — and experience with how Denver judges evaluate these applications.
Frequently Asked Questions — Denver Business Litigation
Can I sue a business partner in Denver District Court?
Yes. Partners and LLC members owe fiduciary duties of loyalty and care to the business and to each other. If a partner or member is diverting assets, competing against the business, taking improper distributions, or otherwise breaching their fiduciary duties, legal remedies are available in Denver District Court — including damages, injunctive relief, forced buyout, and judicial dissolution. The sophistication of Denver’s legal market means these cases are often litigated with significant resources on both sides, and the quality of legal representation matters significantly.
What trade secret protections apply to Denver businesses?
Colorado’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act protects information that derives economic value from not being generally known and that the business takes reasonable efforts to protect. In Denver’s technology, cannabis, aerospace, and financial services sectors — where intellectual property is often the most valuable business asset — this protection is critical. When trade secrets are misappropriated, the Act provides emergency injunctive relief and damages. The speed and quality of the initial legal response significantly affects how much damage can be prevented.
How do Denver courts handle cannabis business disputes?
Cannabis business disputes in Denver District Court are handled under Colorado’s general civil litigation framework — the same rules and procedures that apply to any commercial dispute. The cannabis regulatory context affects certain substantive issues: MED licensing and ownership requirements can constrain available remedies, cannabis contracts sometimes have enforceability questions related to federal law, and cannabis-specific damages calculations require understanding of the industry’s economics. Denver District Court judges are familiar with cannabis business disputes given Denver’s role as the center of Colorado’s cannabis industry.
How does Colorado’s 2022 non-compete legislation affect Denver employers?
Colorado’s 2022 legislation significantly restricted non-compete enforceability. Non-compete agreements are now enforceable only for employees earning above a specified compensation threshold in roles where protection of trade secrets or confidential information is a legitimate business need. Non-solicitation agreements have different but also evolving requirements. Denver employers in technology, financial services, cannabis, and professional services need to review their existing agreements for compliance and structure new agreements to meet current requirements. Agreements that don’t comply with the current framework may be unenforceable and expose the employer to liability.
What is the typical timeline for a business litigation case in Denver District Court?
Timeline in Denver District Court depends significantly on the complexity of the case and whether it settles or proceeds to trial. Straightforward commercial disputes may resolve in 6 to 12 months. Complex multi-party business litigation with significant discovery — multiple depositions, substantial document production, expert witnesses — can take 2 to 3 years from filing to verdict. Denver District Court’s case management system sets firm deadlines, which keeps cases on a predictable schedule. The sophistication of the parties and their counsel in most significant Denver business disputes also affects how efficiently the case moves.
Schedule a Consultation with a Denver Business Litigation Lawyer
Business disputes in Denver’s competitive legal market benefit from experienced local counsel from the start. Whether you’re facing a partner conflict, a trade secret threat, a shareholder dispute, or a major commercial contract matter in Denver District Court, Burnham Law’s Denver business litigation team is ready to assess your situation and protect what you’ve built.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. We represent businesses and business owners in commercial disputes throughout Denver and Colorado.
