Fort Collins Civil Lawyers — Litigation and Legal Counsel for Larimer County Disputes
Civil disputes don’t pause for the demands of your business or your life. Whether you’re a technology entrepreneur facing a breach of contract claim, a contractor fighting for payment on a completed project, a property owner dealing with a title defect, or an individual harmed by another party’s misconduct, the legal decisions made in the early stages of a dispute shape everything that follows. Burnham Law’s Fort Collins civil attorneys bring serious litigation experience and working knowledge of Larimer County’s courts to help clients navigate these matters effectively — in the courtroom and at the negotiating table.
Meet our Fort Collins civil litigation team below — attorneys experienced across business disputes, tort claims, real estate, construction, cannabis law, breach of contract, and appellate practice in Larimer County 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.
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 Law in Fort Collins, Colorado
Civil law encompasses the full range of legal disputes between private parties — businesses, individuals, and organizations — that are resolved through the courts rather than criminal prosecution. Breach of contract, negligence, business disputes, real estate conflicts, construction defects, and cannabis regulatory matters are all civil law matters, and what they share is that the outcome directly affects the financial position and professional standing of the parties involved.
In Fort Collins, civil matters are heard in the Larimer County District Court, located on West Oak Street in downtown Fort Collins. Larimer County District Court serves the full county — including Fort Collins, Loveland, Estes Park, and the surrounding communities — and handles a civil docket that reflects the character of the local economy: technology and clean energy business disputes, construction litigation driven by the region’s sustained growth, real estate conflicts in one of Colorado’s most active markets, and a growing number of cannabis-related matters as the industry has expanded along the Northern Front Range.
Colorado civil procedure follows the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure, which govern every stage of civil litigation from pleadings through trial. Applying those rules effectively in Larimer County requires the local knowledge that comes from regular practice in this courthouse — how the court manages its docket, what judges in this jurisdiction expect from counsel, and what the timeline of a civil case actually looks like in Fort Collins.
Civil Practice Areas at Burnham Law Fort Collins
Appeals: Civil appeals from Larimer County District Court proceed to the Colorado Court of Appeals, with cases of significant legal importance potentially reaching the Colorado Supreme Court. Our appellate attorneys identify preserved legal errors, build precise written arguments, and present them in the form Colorado’s appellate courts require.
Tort Claims: Tort law covers civil wrongs — negligence, fraud, intentional misconduct, defamation — that cause harm to another party. Fort Collins’ active outdoor recreation culture, significant university presence, growing commercial corridors, and rapid residential development all generate tort claims regularly. We represent plaintiffs and defendants.
Breach of Contract: When a party fails to perform a contractual obligation, the other party has legal remedies. We handle breach of contract disputes across commercial, technology, construction, real estate, and personal service contexts for Fort Collins and Larimer County clients.
Business Litigation: Fort Collins’ technology sector, clean energy industry, university-affiliated businesses, and established commercial community generate a wide range of business disputes. We handle partnership conflicts, trade secret cases, shareholder claims, and commercial litigation for businesses throughout the Northern Front Range.
Construction Law: Larimer County’s sustained population growth has driven a construction market that generates regular disputes involving defects, payment failures, delays, and contract interpretation. We represent owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals in construction matters throughout the region.
Real Estate Law: Fort Collins’ real estate market — consistently among Colorado’s most competitive — generates real estate disputes involving failed transactions, title defects, landlord-tenant conflicts, and commercial lease disagreements. We handle real estate litigation for buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, investors, and developers throughout Larimer County.
Cannabis Law: Colorado’s cannabis industry operates under a complex and evolving regulatory framework. We represent cannabis operators, investors, and licensees across the full range of cannabis legal matters, including the specific local regulations that apply in Fort Collins and Larimer County.
How Fort Collins Civil Cases Work
Most civil cases in Larimer County begin with filing a complaint in Larimer County District Court. The defendant is served and has 21 days to respond if served in Colorado. After the initial pleadings, the case moves into discovery — exchanging documents, taking depositions, and building the evidentiary record that supports each party’s position at trial or in settlement negotiations.
Larimer County District Court uses Colorado’s case management system, which sets firm deadlines for discovery, expert disclosures, and dispositive motions. The court’s judges expect attorneys to meet those deadlines and come to hearings fully prepared. Cases that are well-organized and efficiently litigated move through the system more predictably than those that aren’t — and that efficiency translates directly into better outcomes for clients.
The majority of civil cases settle before trial, but the quality of that settlement depends entirely on the strength of each party’s litigation posture. We prepare every Fort Collins civil case as if it will go to trial — which affects how opposing counsel evaluates risk and what settlement terms they’re willing to offer.
Why Burnham Law for Civil Litigation in Fort Collins
Larimer County court presence. Our civil attorneys appear regularly in Larimer County District Court. We understand the court’s procedures, case management expectations, and what judges in this jurisdiction look for. That local familiarity informs strategy from the first day of a case.
Trial experience that moves the needle. Opposing counsel assesses settlement leverage based in part on whether your attorneys have actually tried cases. Our litigators have courtroom experience and aren’t reluctant to use it — which means the threat of trial can’t be used as leverage against our clients.
Full-service civil practice. Civil disputes in Fort Collins often cross legal boundaries — a technology business dispute that involves contract and trade secret claims simultaneously, a construction matter with both defect and payment components, a cannabis transaction with regulatory and real estate dimensions. Our breadth of civil practice means your attorneys can handle the full picture.
Straight talk. Fort Collins civil litigation clients deserve honest assessments — including when a settlement offer is reasonable, when it isn’t, and what the realistic range of trial outcomes looks like. We give those assessments directly.
Frequently Asked Questions — Fort Collins Civil Lawyers
Where are civil cases filed in Fort Collins?
Civil cases in Fort Collins and Larimer County are filed in the Larimer County District Court, located on West Oak Street in downtown Fort Collins. This court handles civil matters for all of Larimer County, including Fort Collins, Loveland, Berthoud, Estes Park, and surrounding communities.
How long does a civil case take in Larimer County?
Timeline depends on the complexity of the dispute and whether it resolves through settlement or proceeds to trial. Straightforward commercial disputes may resolve in 6 to 12 months. Complex multi-party cases with significant discovery and expert witness involvement can take 2 to 3 years. Larimer County District Court manages its civil docket with firm case management deadlines, which keeps cases moving on a predictable timeline once filed.
What is the difference between a civil case and a criminal case?
Criminal cases are brought by the government to enforce criminal law, with incarceration or criminal penalties as the remedy. Civil cases are disputes between private parties seeking monetary damages or equitable relief. The burden of proof in civil cases is a preponderance of the evidence — more likely than not — rather than the beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard that applies in criminal proceedings. The same conduct can sometimes give rise to both criminal prosecution and civil liability simultaneously.
Do I need a lawyer for a civil dispute in Fort Collins?
You are not required to have an attorney, but civil procedure is technically demanding, and self-represented parties consistently lose cases on procedural grounds that have nothing to do with the underlying merits. For disputes involving significant money, property, or business interests, experienced civil counsel is practically essential — the cost of a procedural mistake in pleadings, discovery, or motions practice far exceeds the cost of proper representation from the start.
What happens if I’m served with a civil lawsuit in Fort Collins?
You have 21 days to file a response if served in Colorado. Failing to respond results in a default judgment against you — the court enters judgment for whatever the plaintiff requested without hearing your defense. Default judgments are enforceable through wage garnishment, bank levies, and property liens. If you’ve been served with a complaint in Larimer County, contact a civil attorney immediately — 21 days passes faster than most people expect.
Schedule a Consultation with a Fort Collins Civil Lawyer
Civil disputes benefit from qualified legal involvement early — before positions harden and options narrow. Whether you’re initiating a claim or responding to one in Larimer County, Burnham Law’s Fort Collins civil attorneys will give you a direct assessment of your situation and a clear view of your realistic path forward.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. We serve clients throughout Fort Collins, Larimer County, and the Northern Front Range.
