Cara B. Lawrence

Chad McShane is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Construction. Chad, who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Chad is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Understands complexities of water litigation, acquisitions and transactions. In 40-plus year career has led 750 water litigations and over 20 Supreme Court appeals. Former senior water counsel and first assistant attorney general for the Water Unit of the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. Steve Sims is a leading western water law attorney with a focus on water court litigation, water acquisition strategy and water transactions in the west. He brings four decades of experience represen...

Michael Kaplan counsels clients on a wide range of complex real estate projects and transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, financings, joint ventures and leasing matters. His clients include domestic and international real estate investment trusts (REITs), private investors and developers, with a broad spectrum of asset classes, including life sciences, industrial, office, hospitality, student housing and senior housing. Mr. Kaplan leverages over a decade of experience handling l...

David Kaplan has more than 40 years of experience in criminal defense, including complex litigation and trial representation in state and federal courts on matters ranging from violent crime to white collar defense. Additionally, he frequently represents attorneys facing disciplinary consequences, other professionals facing regulatory licensing issues, and students confronting disciplinary actions. David graduated from the University of Denver College of Law in 1982 and began work as a Deputy...

Tom Bieging is of counsel with the firm. He focuses his practice in the areas of banking and commercial litigation. Mr. Bieging’s financial institutions practice includes holding company and change of control applications, loan documentation, regulatory compliance advice, loan work outs, board representation, and the sale, acquisition, and merger of banks and bank holding companies. Mr. Bieging has litigated with government agencies on financial institution policy matters with national ...

Ms. Lavery earned a B.A. with Honors, with majors in Political Science and International Studies from the University of Denver in 1992; thereafter, earning her law degree from DU in 1995. After law school, she did not pursue work in the legal field, instead working in management, sales, and consulting positions in both large corporate settings and small local businesses. She returned to the legal profession in 2010, working as a paralegal in the areas of family law and juvenile law before joi...

Jeff Kerrane has more than 30 years of experience representing property owners and community associations in construction defect litigation . He practices with Kerrane Storz PC and serves clients from Broomfield, Colorado, with an emphasis on Litigation – Construction. Jeff represents homeowners and community associations in Colorado and Texas, focusing on construction defect disputes and related litigation. His work has included assisting with the drafting of construction defect legisl...

Heidi uses her life experience to bring a practical and relatable approach to her estate planning practice. She advises clients on a wide variety of estate planning matters, including estate and trust administration and pre and post-marital agreements. Additionally, Heidi has experience with real property, business and entity formation and general consultation, and commercial leases and contracts. Heidi is a member of the Orange Book Forms Committee and the Rules and Forms Committee of the Co...

Stefan D. Stein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Securities. Stefan D., who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stefan D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Melisa Panagakos is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Melisa, who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Melisa is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.