James R. "Jim" Spaanstra

Gregory Janssen applies his business and tax background in his practice at Brownstein. He assists clients with a broad range of tax and corporate needs, including mergers and acquisitions, tax aspects of real estate transactions (including like-kind exchanges), partnership and corporation formation and taxation, tax controversies, tax-exempt organizations, tax lobbying, and other tax planning and advice for business entities and individuals.

Danielle Urban is a partner in the firm's Denver office. She has a national practice representing a wide range of employers. Her practice involves representation of employers in wrongful termination, employment discrimination and harassment, Title VII, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), False Claims Act, international employment issues, covenants not to compete, employee defection and trade secrets c...

Expertise in negotiating real estate finance deals. Represents borrowers and lenders in a variety of real estate transactions. Collaborative approach balances clients’ business objectives with counsel on accomplishing goals. Known for her business-centered approach and balanced negotiating style, Janae Magee represents borrowers, financial institutions and institutional investors in negotiating and documenting commercial real estate financing facilities, including construction and perma...

Daniel R. Coombe is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Daniel R., who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Daniel R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

For more than 25 years, Brian's practice has focused almost exclusively on helping water users find, secure and defend their water rights in Colorado and the Western U.S. His clients include municipalities, water and wastewater sanitation districts, mines, golf course developers, energy companies and various commercial facilities. Brian serves as a trusted advisor, providing strategic guidance on long-term water planning and water rights projects. In Colorado, his experience includes the adju...

Courtney is an shareholder at Sherr Puttmann Akins Lamb PC. Prior to joining SPAL, Courtney was an attorney at Hinds and Hinds Family Law and worked for the Honorable Angela Arkin and the Honorable Kerry Hada. Courtney has dedicated her professional career to helping families experiencing transition and conflict. Courtney handles complex domestic relations matters ranging from financial disputes to high-conflict child custody matters. Courtney gives each case the individual attention it deser...

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.

Jared Ellis focuses his practice on professional liability, personal injury, and complex civil litigation. Mr. Ellis defends lawyers, physicians, healthcare professionals, and healthcare institutions in professional liability matters. He represents public entities, companies and individuals in cases involving allegations of negligence, including automobile accidents and premises liability matters, allegations of breach of fiduciary duty, intentional tort claims, including claims of fraud and ...

Bud Bourke has extensive experience in business, residential and commercial real estate and tax planning for individuals, partnerships and corporations. He works with individuals (regardless of net worth), executives, closely-held business owners and professionals within Colorado, across the nation, and internationally, to manage their legal and legacy concerns and their multi-generational family businesses. He has years of experience with the preparation of simple and complex estate plans an...

Chairman Norman Brownstein has earned the respect and trust of leaders on both sides of the aisle, which is why U.S. Senators Ted Kennedy and Hank Brown honored him with the title of "America's 101st Senator." Mr. Brownstein opened a government relations office in Washington, D.C. in 1995. The team initially consisted of two policy professionals and a couple of sublet cubicles. Subsequently, the organization has grown into one of the largest, most successful bipartisan government relations pr...