Corporate/M&A: Colorado

THE FIRM This firm's corporate team is relied upon by clients for all aspects of corporate work, including M&A, private equity, public company, corporate governance and asset management, and remains a strong presence in the Colorado market. Its diverse client list includes names such as Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Endeavor Capital and Delta Petroleum.

Sources say: "It gives a good service and is extremely good value."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice co-head Ronald Levine garners effusive praise from sources: "He's wonderful; he's one of the smartest, most practical and business-oriented lawyers I know." Known for his depth of knowledge across many different areas of corporate law, he has recently worked with Endeavor Capital on its purchase of a majority interest in Grant Victor.

Bruce Stocks is hailed by sources for his "ability and willingness to help you make a decision." He is especially knowledgeable on mining industry matters and private equity investment.  

Christopher Richardson is the firm's managing partner. His practice includes advice on M&A as well as private company ownership transfers.

THE FIRM This international firm is highly visible in the Colorado market and gains even more ground thanks to several lateral hires to its Denver office. Its comprehensive practice advises clients such as Clean Coal Solutions, KRG Capital Partners and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment on M&A, securities, financing and other matters.

Sources say: "The team is really good as well, especially with  the amount of work they are willing to do.  We have been very happy."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Paul Hilton cochairs of the firm's capital markets and corporate governance practice and advises clients on a range of transactional matters. Sources describe him as an excellent choice of counsel.

Also earning strong market endorsement is George Hagerty, who is an expert on domestic and international securities offerings and public and private M&A.

THE FIRM The team here earns rave reviews for its culture of client service and its deep bench of experts. It has been busy this past year advising on restructurings, but is also a trusted choice of counsel for M&A, securities, corporate governance and fund-related matters.

Sources say: "The best thing is that I can pick up the phone and call and they can tell me exactly what they're doing for us. There's a real emphasis that everyone is responsible for the client - they're all accountable."

KEY INDIVIDUALS James Palenchar "is the best there is: smart, detail-oriented, practical and knowledgeable." A founding partner of the firm, he has experience in many areas of corporate law, handling everything from billion-dollar acquisitions to complex debt financings. He has recently advised the likes of Western Union and First Reserve.

Senior partner Thomas Stephens recently advised on the merger between Real Goods Solar and Alteris Renewables. An expert on the Dodd-Frank Act, he recently wrote and published an article on the subject.

THE FIRM The corporate team at this well-known Denver-headquartered firm has recently been advising on joint venture matters, including serving as counsel to Renal Ventures Management over its formation of Kidney Life. It earns strong market endorsement for its exemplary client service and competitive rates.  

Sources say: "My experience with the firm has been outstanding; it has business-minded attorneys whose work is top-notch."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources say Adam Agron "is good technically and has great client management skills and a strong presence in the local community." He is a cochair of the corporate and business law practice.

The other department cochair, Kevin Cudney, is a veteran of the practice with more than 30 years' experience in corporate law. He can be relied upon for assistance in M&A and securities among other things.

Jeffrey Knetsch is another senior member of the corporate team and an expert on advising public companies on Sarbanes-Oxley.

THE FIRM The corporate team here has done some reshuffling following a number of departures, but is still well equipped to handle M&A, private equity, venture capital and finance matters. It receives plaudits for its exemplary client service and lays claim to an impressive client list that includes the likes of Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase and Republic Financial.

Sources say: "The legal work we receive is on the spot. If something needs to be done overnight, it gets done." "Everyone has a very sincere desire to help the client, there is a real relationship built across all levels."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Dean Salter focuses on corporate and securities law and recently advised National CineMedia on its $200 million private offering of senior notes. He is commended by sources as "one of the deans of the corporate Bar."

The experienced Garth Jensen heads up the firm's securities practice and has notable experience in cross-border as well as US transactions. He recently advised MDC Holdings on its $250 million offering of senior notes.

THE FIRM This national firm has an excellent reputation for representing emerging growth and technology companies and their investors, and in Colorado frequently advises on licensing, M&A and securities transactions, including IPOs. Recent work includes advising Alexza Pharmaceuticals on its $16.1 million follow-on public offering.

Sources say: "It's a very good firm; we have a lot of interactions - different people around the country give us support - it would be easier for them to focus on bigger clients but they are supportive of our interests."

KEY INDIVIDUALS James Linfield "is very experienced and can translate difficult issues into layman's terms," according to sources. A senior figure within the practice, he "keeps his hand in the action" and "remains one of the best  lawyers in town." He has recently advised Abound Solar on an equity financing.

Francis Wheeler is "a first-rate lawyer - very intelligent, industrious, careful and thoughtful." His practice encompasses a broad range of corporate law matters.

Michael Platt recently represented Ping Identity over its $10 million venture financing with Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Catalyst Partners and Triangle Peak Partners. He is "a good sounding board," is "great at deal-making" and has an excellent "understanding of the inherent risks involved in building an early stage business."

Brent Fassett is praised for being "extremely bright, service-oriented and practical" and for keeping a good balance between the legal and business aspects of a deal. Clients also appreciate his "ability to propose a series of methods for addressing a problem." Recent work includes advising Arca Biopharma on a public offering and leading on the Alexza Pharmaceuticals work mentioned above.

THE FIRM The firm has moved to strengthen its corporate practice over the past year, following a number of departures, and welcomes in two new special counsel and two new associates. The new arrivals add to the team's expertise in M&A, financing and other corporate transactions. Recent clients include Energy Fuels, Northland Power Services and Troppus Software.

KEY INDIVIDUALS The experienced James Carroll represents clients across computing, biotech, energy, telecom and other industries. He recently represented Ascent Solar Technologies in a $22 million ATM public offering.

Douglas Wright's recent work includes advising Energy Fuels on the US securities law aspects of a cross-border financing deal. Other clients include Century Casinos, TW Telecom and Double Eagle Petroleum.

THE FIRM This national giant operates a relatively small, four-partner practice in Colorado, instead distinguishing itself through its global coverage and the size of the work it attracts. The lawyers are praised for their sophistication in high-end matters and have demonstrated this in engagements such as First Reserve's financing of a $1.3 billion E&P joint venture in Brazil.

Sources say: "I have not had a bad experience with anyone, I have been very impressed; it has depth to its bench, lots of reserve talent. It's the large firm advantage - excellent quality."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Steven Talley focuses on representing smaller, private companies, and recently advised Medicine Bow Energy on its $814 million acquisition by El Paso. Clients say: "He's very responsive and thoughtful and able to advise on a wide range of issues."

Oil and gas expert Beau Stark is described by one source as "one of the best transactional lawyers I've worked with - very focused, financially astute and understands the very complex concepts around transactions." He is also hailed as "an extremely effective communicator and fantastic negotiator who displays outstanding judgment." He led on the First Reserve work mentioned above.

THE FIRM This team of seven attorneys operates toward the high end of the corporate and securities market, offering sector knowledge of, among other things, financial services, manufacturing, hi-tech, biosciences and natural resources. The team receives some good market endorsements, with special mention made of its ability to draw on the firm's extensive network and resources.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Stephen Dietrich is hailed for his knowledge on securities matters and earns praise for being "thoroughly accurate and able to take a complex matter and translate it into plain English." He is also chair of the firm's auto dealership practice. "Clients like him because he cares."

Marc Musyl "is an excellent strategist, calm in crisis, good at analyzing the motivations of different players, and good at getting a positive result for his clients." He has recently advised Bacterin International on its reverse public offering.

THE FIRM This regional powerhouse continues to expand its corporate practice, adding young talent to the ranks and attracting new private equity and financing work to supplement its steady flow of M&A. Its clients span a range of industries, including technology, media and heavy industry, and report being especially appreciative of the firm's competitive rates.

Sources say: "They are good at communication and crafting a solution." "They invest extra time to find out precisely what I need as a client."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Betty Arkell continues to impress clients and peers, who praise her for being "adept at advising entrepreneurs and startups." Recently, she has been engaged on several licensing transfer deals.

Lucy Schlauch Stark is "a rising star and a delightful person" and earns special acclaim for her "great analytic and negotiation skills." She has recently advised The Williams Companies on a major purchase of a holding entity.

THE FIRM Morrison & Foerster continues to develop its high-end, cross-border practice and grow the strength of its bench, recently bringing in private equity expertise. The firm is particularly well versed advising clients in the technology and renewable energy sectors.

KEY INDIVIDUALS The other co-head of practice, Hendrik Jordaan, is noted for his private equity expertise, and gets credit for "building an impressive practice." He has recently advised clients such as Zayo Group and Cologix.

THE FIRM The team here has grown slightly since last year with the addition of a new partner and a new associate. With 12 attorneys in total, the practice offers expertise in, among other things, corporate governance, M&A, licensing and private equity. Active clients include Trimble Navigation, CAI International and Enhanced Equity Fund.

Sources say: "The Denver office provides expertise comparable to large firms on either coast at a much more attractive rate structure, and the partners I work with have a greater focus on business development and a superior client service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Nathaniel Ford "is a fantastic lawyer who applies excellent judgment across a range of situations," according to one source, who adds: "His knowledge of the local market is strong as well." He was part of the team that recently advised NetQuote Holdings on its debt-financed merger with Bankrate.

Also involved was Sonny Allison, who typically handles M&A, securities and corporate governance matters on behalf of leading Denver-based equity funds and public companies.

THE FIRM Noted for having a solid corporate practice with even quality throughout, the group has recently been busy with M&A consolidation work and equity and debt offerings on behalf of clients such as Lextron and Shaw Communications.

Sources say: "They are pound for pound every bit as good as leading New York firms."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Steven Miller advises on all aspects of corporate finance, including international offerings and project finance. He recently advised QVC on a note issue.