Fort Collins Appeals Lawyers — Appellate Representation After an Adverse Ruling in Larimer County
An unfavorable verdict or ruling from Larimer County District Court is not necessarily the final word. When a court misapplies the law, improperly excludes critical evidence, issues legally deficient jury instructions, or rules incorrectly on a dispositive motion, an appeal may provide the path to reversal or remand. Burnham Law’s Fort Collins appellate attorneys analyze trial records with fresh eyes, identify preserved legal errors, and build the written arguments that Colorado’s appellate courts evaluate.
Meet our Fort Collins civil litigation team below — attorneys experienced in appellate practice before the Colorado Court of Appeals and Colorado Supreme Court.
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.
Bryon has more than a decade of experience in probate, trust administration, and estate planning. His probate experience includes contesting fraudulent wills and litigating terms of estate plan documents. In preparing estate plans, Bryon emphasizes helping clients pass on as much of their estates to their loved ones as possible through careful and regular review by clients. Bryon also has experience in representing landlords in evictions, contracts, commercial sales transactions, public bidding, and special taxing districts. When not serving clients, Bryon enjoys camping, off-roading, and traveling with his family.
Before law school, Chris was a Television Broadcast News Reporter for NBC KOMU TV-8 and a Radio Broadcast News Reporter for NPR KBIA 91.3. During law school, Chris clerked for the General Counsel of a Major International Airline, he clerked for the Chief Judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals-Southern District, he clerked for a small civil litigation and real estate law firm in Columbia, and he was a summer intern at McDowell Rice Smith & Buchanan, P.C. in Kansas City. After law school, Chris became an Associate Attorney at McDowell Rice Smith & Buchanan, P.C.’s Country Club Plaza office eventually earning an Equity Shareholder Position. Since moving to Colorado in 2011, Chris has been a Business Operations Manager at a Denver-based multi-million dollar company, he has been a Contract Attorney for a medical device publicly-traded company, he has been a Staff Attorney at a boutique law firm providing bankruptcy legal services to consumers, and he has been the Bankruptcy...
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...
Sam focuses his practice on general litigation, transactional work—aiding small businesses and assisting in acquisitions—business litigation and breakups, and administrative work. Prior to joining the Burnham Law Firm, Sam acted as counsel at a major ski company and then in a firm setting. Sam is keenly aware of the fact that litigation can be stressful and complex. His background complements his ability to provide competent guidance and critical thinking to his clients’ cases and the corollary issues which stem from them. In his free time, Sam loves to backcountry ski, race road and mountain bikes, cook, read, play guitar, and sail.
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.
Civil Appeals in Colorado
Civil appeals from Larimer County District Court are heard by the Colorado Court of Appeals. Cases involving significant constitutional questions, conflicts between Court of Appeals divisions, or issues of broad statewide importance may be reviewed by the Colorado Supreme Court through a discretionary certiorari process. Appellate courts do not retry cases — they do not hear new evidence, evaluate witness credibility, or reconsider factual findings made by the trial court. Their function is to review the legal framework applied below and determine whether reversible legal error occurred.
Colorado appellate practice is procedurally exacting and writing-intensive. Every filing must comply with detailed formatting requirements and meet strict deadlines. The written brief is the primary vehicle for appellate advocacy — the quality of legal research, precision of issue framing, and persuasive clarity of argument are the dominant factors in appellate outcomes. Oral argument, when granted, supplements but does not replace the briefing.
A threshold question in every potential appeal is whether viable issues were preserved at the trial court level. Colorado appellate courts review only errors that were properly raised below — through timely objections, written motions, or offers of proof on the record. Issues not preserved are subject to the far more demanding plain error standard, which rarely produces reversal. Evaluating what was preserved and identifying the strongest appellate arguments requires a careful, objective review of the full trial record — ideally by attorneys who were not involved in the trial proceedings.
What Our Fort Collins Appeals Attorneys Handle
Post-trial civil appeals: After a final judgment or order from Larimer County District Court, the losing party may appeal to the Colorado Court of Appeals. We analyze the complete record, identify the preserved issues most likely to succeed on appeal, and develop the written argument the court will evaluate.
Interlocutory appeals: Colorado law permits appeal of certain non-final orders in limited circumstances — injunctions, class certification decisions, and other significant mid-case rulings. We evaluate whether interlocutory appeal is procedurally available and strategically worthwhile in a specific situation.
Responding to appeals: When the opposing party appeals a favorable Larimer County ruling, we represent the responding party — defending the judgment below and raising preserved cross-appeal issues where they strengthen our client’s position.
Amicus curiae participation: In appeals involving legal questions with significant policy or industry implications, we assist organizations in filing amicus briefs that give the appellate court additional perspective on the consequences of its decision.
Trial record development: For clients in active Larimer County litigation who are concerned about where the case is heading, we help ensure the trial record is properly developed — objections made, motions filed, and offers of proof preserved — so that appellate options remain available if needed.
How the Colorado Civil Appeals Process Works
A civil appeal begins with filing a Notice of Appeal within 49 days of the final judgment from Larimer County District Court. This deadline is jurisdictional and strict — missing it almost certainly forfeits the right to appeal entirely. After the notice is filed, the appellant arranges for preparation of the trial court record, which forms the factual basis for everything the appellate court reviews.
The appellant files an opening brief presenting legal arguments for reversal or remand. The appellee responds. The appellant may file a reply. Briefing schedules are set by the court, with extensions available for cause. The full briefing cycle typically spans 6 to 12 months. After briefing closes, the court may schedule oral argument — more likely in complex cases or those presenting novel legal questions — or decide the case on the briefs.
The Colorado Court of Appeals typically issues decisions within several months of final submission or oral argument. Parties dissatisfied with that ruling may petition the Colorado Supreme Court for certiorari review, though the Supreme Court accepts only a small fraction of petitions. From Notice of Appeal through a final Supreme Court disposition, the full appellate process can take two to three years or more.
Why Burnham Law for Civil Appeals in Fort Collins
Appellate writing depth. The written brief determines appellate outcomes more than any other factor. Our attorneys approach appellate briefs with rigorous legal research, precise issue framing, and an honest focus on the arguments most likely to succeed — not an exhaustive list of everything that went wrong at trial.
Objective case evaluation. Not every adverse ruling produces a viable appeal, and one of the most valuable things an appellate attorney does is give an honest assessment of whether the preserved issues are strong enough to justify the investment. We provide that evaluation candidly before clients commit to the process.
Fresh perspective on the trial record. Attorneys who tried the case are often too close to it to evaluate the record objectively for appellate purposes. We bring a fresh perspective to the analysis of trial records, which often produces clearer identification of the strongest appellate issues.
Colorado appellate court familiarity. The Colorado Court of Appeals and Colorado Supreme Court have their own filing requirements, oral argument conventions, and jurisprudential tendencies. We practice before these courts regularly and present arguments in the manner these forums find most effective.
Frequently Asked Questions — Fort Collins Appeals Lawyers
How long do I have to appeal a civil ruling from Larimer County District Court?
For most civil cases, the deadline to file a Notice of Appeal is 49 days from the date of final judgment. This deadline is strict and jurisdictional — missing it is almost certainly fatal to the appeal. Certain interlocutory appeals have shorter windows. If you received an adverse ruling in Larimer County District Court and are considering an appeal, consult an appellate attorney as soon as possible — the 49-day window passes quickly.
Can a jury verdict be reversed on appeal in Colorado?
Yes, but the standard is demanding. Appellate courts do not reweigh evidence or reconsider jury credibility determinations. Reversing a jury verdict requires demonstrating that a legal error affected the outcome — improper jury instructions, erroneously admitted or excluded evidence, or a verdict that cannot be sustained as a matter of law. The strength of any jury verdict appeal depends heavily on what errors were preserved at trial.
What does it mean to “preserve” an issue for appeal?
An issue is preserved for appeal when it was properly raised at the trial court level — through a timely objection, a written motion, or an offer of proof on the record — and ruled on by the judge. Issues that were not raised below are generally not reviewable on appeal, or are subject only to the stringent plain error standard. Deliberate record preservation during trial litigation is essential for any case that might ultimately require an appeal.
Should I hire a different attorney for my appeal than the one who handled my trial?
There is no requirement to change attorneys, but there are real advantages to having appellate counsel take a fresh look at the record. Trial attorneys are often too close to the case to evaluate it objectively for appellate purposes, and appellate brief writing is a distinct skill set from trial advocacy. For significant appeals, having specialized appellate counsel — either instead of or alongside trial counsel — often produces better written arguments and clearer issue framing.
How much does a civil appeal cost in Colorado?
The cost of a civil appeal depends on the complexity of the issues and the length of the trial record. Attorney fees for a full appellate brief cycle in a moderate-complexity civil case typically run from several thousand to twenty thousand dollars or more. The decision to appeal should account for the strength of the preserved legal issues, the amount at stake in the underlying case, and the realistic cost of the full process — including the possibility of petitioning the Supreme Court.
Schedule a Consultation with a Fort Collins Appeals Lawyer
Appellate deadlines in Colorado are strict and unforgiving. If you received an adverse ruling in Larimer County District Court and believe a legal error affected the outcome, contact our Fort Collins appellate attorneys promptly. We will evaluate the trial record and give you an honest assessment of your appellate options.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. We represent appellants and appellees in civil matters before the Colorado Court of Appeals and Colorado Supreme Court.
