Arthur K. Griffin

Art represents commercial real estate clients with acquisitions and dispositions, development, lending, and land use matters, with extensive experience in each of the retail, industrial, office, and hospitality industries. Supplemented by his Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation, Art’s real estate practice is enhanced by his corporate and tax background and he is adept at helping clients navigate complex regulatory matters.

In addition to his real estate practice, Art advises alcohol manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, including major casinos and nightclub operators, regarding federal and state regulatory alcohol laws and liquor licensing matters. Art has experience resolving licensing and regulatory compliance matters with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, the Colorado Department of Revenue – Liquor and Tobacco Enforcement Division, and various Colorado municipalities.

Early in his career, Art served as general counsel to a Denver-based multi-faceted real estate company where he oversaw high volumes of brokerage transactions, leasing matters, and finance arrangements. Prior to that, he worked in the Denver office of a national firm, where he focused on complex real estate transactions, leasing, and lending matters.

Outside of the office, Art enjoys spending time with his family skiing, fishing, and cooking. Art also enjoys recreational and competitive sailing and has sailed throughout the Gulf Coast, Caribbean, Pacific Coast, and Mountain regions.

Education

  • LL.M, University of Denver
  • J.D., University of Denver
  • B.A., Tulane University

Areas Of Practice

Our real estate practice is one of the largest in the American West, including Arizona, California, Colorado and Nevada with experience in all aspects of the real estate development process, from due diligence, acquisition and finance, through land use permitting and entitlements, to leasing and sale.

Our attorneys provide full-service representation to alternative, renewable, and next-generation energy producers, developers, and manufacturers.

Our tax attorneys are committed to helping clients proactively structure their businesses, transactions, and estate plans in the most tax-efficient manner.

Representative Cases

  • Extensive experience assisting clients with leasing matters at major retail shopping centers throughout Colorado and at regional and local shopping centers nationwide, as well as industrial and office leasing in Colorado and other markets.
  • Represented company in Downtown Denver ground leasing and in-fill projects.
  • Assisted client and its principals in the acquisition and financing of a major east coast casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and assumed lead role in leasing and licensing its six floors of retail, restaurant, and entertainment venues.
  • Assisted a major distillery start-up venture advising on all legal concerns, including federal and state licensing and resolution of real property matters, and provided regulatory guidance on manufacturing and processing requirements, record keeping, taxation, “Tied House” and other trade practice/consumer protection provisions.
  • Assisted client with refinancing of mixed-use and office properties in downtown Denver, Colorado, which involved a $48,000,000 loan made by a life insurance company lender.
  • Assisted client with acquisition and $60,000,000 financing of multifamily property in Denver, Colorado.
  • Assisted client with the acquisition of major hotel property in Kauai, Hawaii.
  • Assisted a major health club client in its acquisition of a swim and tennis club in Manhattan Beach, California.
  • Assisted client with acquisition and $29,000,000 financing of multifamily property in Austin, Texas.
  • Assisted client with acquisition and financing of office property near 15th and Market Streets in Denver, Colorado.
  • Assisted client with acquisition and $81,000,000 financing of multifamily property in Denver, Colorado.
  • Assisted client with acquisition and $47,000,000 financing of multifamily property in Long Beach, California.
  • Assisted a major golf course operator and investment company in its acquisition of various established golf courses.
  • Assisted pro bono client in the corporate consolidation of three non-profit organizations focusing on at-risk and drug-endangered children.

AWARDS AND HONORS

  • Best Lawyers® Ones to Watch: Real Estate Law, 2023 – 2024
  • Colorado Super Lawyer Rising Star: Real Estate, 2018, 2023 – 2024

Articles and Presentations

  • Presenter, “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Critical Provisions Non-Tax Attorneys Need to Know,” Colorado Bar Association, December 5, 2018
  • Presenter, “Taxation of Alcohol,” Colorado Bar Association

PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS

  • Colorado Bar Association, Former Council Member, Section of Taxation, 2015-2018
  • Colorado Lawyers Committee
  • Denver Children’s Foundation, Legacy
  • Tulane Alumni Association of Colorado, Former President, 2011 – 2017
  • Urban Land Institute

Admissions

  • Colorado
  • Wyoming