The Best Lawyers in America® has released its list for 2024 with many Colorado commercial litigators getting high praise.
Sherman & Howard
In a press release from Sherman & Howard L.L.C., the firm announced 74 of its attorneys were recognized by Best Lawyers in its latest edition. Eleven of the firm’s Colorado-based commercial litigation attorneys were recognized, including Mark Williams.
“My practice concentrates on corporate governance, wireless telecommunications, and financial institutions,” wrote Williams to Law Week via email. “For 35 years, I have represented clients in shareholder and partner disputes and represented wireless companies on facilities placement, zoning, and state regulation in the Western United States.”
Additionally, Williams advises the board of directors and C-suites on a wide range of litigation, general business and transactional matters. “My team at Sherman & Howard has been consistent over the last 20 years and continues to grow in each of these areas,” added Williams.
In terms of changes to the practice area of commercial litigation, Williams feels the biggest one to note is in tech: “Technology is growing exponentially and becoming important in all aspects of each practice area.”
Work in this practice area is steadily increasing according to Williams, and as each area continues to grow, like implementing more ways to obtain information in real-time to better advise clients, he sees nothing but blue skies ahead.
Williams noted this recognition “validates the hard work and dedication” of his team and the firm.
According to Sherman & Howard’s press release, other commercial litigation attorneys that were recognized by Best Lawyers this year include Joseph Bronesky, Kellie Fetter, Tamir Goldstein, Christian Hendrickson, Peter Koclanes, Gordon “Skip” Netzorg, James Sawtelle, Stefan Stein, Katherine Varholak and Charlotte Wiessner.
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP announced 95 of the firm’s attorneys were recognized by Best Lawyers this year. Nine of the firm’s Colorado-based commercial litigation attorneys were recognized, including Carrie Johnson, shareholder and co-chair of the firm’s litigation department.
“Commercial litigation has always been a strong practice area for the firm,” wrote Johnson to Law Week via email.
Johnson added there’s been strategic growth throughout the department.
“We have a lot of rising talent in the department working across a wide array of dynamic litigation disciplines including construction, healthcare, corporate governance, business break up, real estate, political law, state AG and consumer protection,” Johnson noted.
In terms of the future, “I believe our next generation of leadership at the firm will be some of the most sought out litigators in the city for complex commercial litigation,” added Johnson.
According to the firm’s press release, Richard Benenson, Justin Cohen, Jason Dunn and Christopher Murray were also recognized by Best Lawyers this year.
“We’re thrilled to see the exceptional work of our commercial litigation team acknowledged and honored,” wrote Johnson.
Coan Payton & Payne
In a press release from Coan Payton & Payne, LLC the firm announced seven of its attorneys were recognized by Best Lawyers. Two of the firm’s Colorado-based commercial litigation attorneys Fritz Ganz and Steven Mulligan, were recognized.
“Among CP2’s larger practice groups, the commercial litigation group is made up of experienced attorneys with first-chair experience,” wrote Ganz to Law Week via email.
With over 23 years of experience, Ganz joined CP2 in January 2022 after practicing as a solo practitioner. Ganz is admitted in Arizona, Colorado and Wyoming and focuses his practice on complex commercial and environmental litigation.
Over the past year, commercial litigation has remained a robust practice area at the firm, noted Ganz. There has been an “increased use of video conference technology for many court proceedings and mediation stemming from its widespread adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic.” However, in Ganz’s experience, there has been a return to in-person contact as clients resume business operations that resemble their pre-pandemic activities.
In terms of the future, “commercial litigation will remain a cornerstone of CP2 and the legal industry as a whole,” added Ganz.
For Ganz and the firm, he said it’s an honor to be recognized by Best Lawyers again.
“We take great pride in knowing this recognition comes from our peers in the legal community and view it as validation of our core values of service, trust, professionalism, excellence, collaboration, results, and leadership,” wrote Ganz.
Holland & Hart
Holland & Hart LLP announced 182 of its attorneys were recognized by Best Lawyers. Eleven of the firm’s Colorado-based commercial litigation attorneys were recognized, including Michael Carrigan, Holly Sollod, Andrew Lillie and Maureen Witt.
According to Witt, commercial litigation is a thriving practice at the firm with an experienced team that works to provide excellent service to its clients. Witt noted their focus is always on resolving disputes for their clients in the most efficient and cost-effective way.
“We have seen a growing influx of younger lawyers, primarily from the coasts, who want to live in Colorado,” wrote Carrigan to Law Week via email. For Holland & Hart’s team, the last year has been extraordinarily busy, added Carrigan.
In terms of the future of practicing commercial litigation, Witt and Sollod feel it’s bright.
“We continue to see the US Supreme Court and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals address key issues under the federal securities laws,” wrote Sollod to Law Week via email.
According to the firm’s press release, other commercial litigation attorneys who were recognized by Best Lawyers this year include Gregory Goldberg, Shawn Eady, Jonathan Bender, Wiley Mayne, Jane Michaels, Craig Stewart and Christopher Toll.
“This recognition is a reflection of how Holland & Hart’s people, working together, demonstrate the highest levels of service, professionalism, and competence,” wrote Lillie to Law Week via email.
According to press releases Law Week received, the following attorneys also made the list this year: Giovanni Ruscitti and George Berg Jr. of Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti, LLP; Jonathon Bergman, John Francis and Michael Gallagher of Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP; Christopher Mosley and Brooke Yates of Foley Hoag LLP; Elizabeth Hartsel of Fortis Law Partners LLC; Jessica Collier and Barbara Grandjean of Husch Blackwell LLP; Timothy Atkinson, Kelley Duke, K.C. Groves, Benjamin Larson, Julie Walker and Thomas Wolf of Ireland Stapleton Pryor & Pascoe PC; Aaron Goldhamer of Keating Wagner Polidori Free; Reid Page of Kutak Rock LLP; Elizabeth Hyatt, Michael Mihm, Murray Ogborn, Mike Ogborn and Nicole Quintana of Ogborn Mihm, LLP; Duncan Barber and I. Thomas Bieging of Otteson Shapiro LLP; Tracy Ashmore of Robinson Waters & O’Dorisio, P.C.; L. Michael Brooks, Jr., Adam O’Brien and Mary Wells of Wells, Anderson & Race, LLC; Anthony Barbe, Scott Barker, Carolyn Fairless, Hugh Gottschalk, LaMar Jost, Kevin Kuhn, Craig May, Joel Neckers, Michael O’Donnell, Kathryn Reilly, John Trigg, Malcolm Wheeler and Michael Williams of Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell LLP; David Tenner of Ridley McGreevy Winocur; and Kory George of Woods Aitken LLP.