Dean Richardson

Dean is a trial lawyer with extensive litigation experience representing a variety of clients in commercial, cannabis, trade secret, real estate, and franchise disputes. He offers counsel in cases involving business torts, contracts, securities, director and officer defense and franchise law. Dean also protects and enforces client interests in shareholder disputes, and situations related to a breach of fiduciary duty. Within the scope of his real estate practice, Dean provides counsel in real property conflicts related to land ownership, construction defects, and title insurance defense.

Dean has prosecuted and defended cases in state and federal courts in Colorado and throughout the country. He has drafted and successfully argued numerous appellate briefs on behalf of his clients.

Outside of the office, Dean enjoys live music, traveling, playing golf, snowboarding, stand-up comedy, and watching The University of Tennessee football team win national championships.

Since 2021, Chambers USA: America’s leading lawyers for business, Chambers and Partners ranked Dean Richardson as a leading nationwide Cannabis Law attorney, band 2.

• J.D., University of Denver, Order of St. Ives
• B.A., The George Washington University
  • Men’s Swimming Team
  • Student-Athlete Advisory Counsel

• Benchmark Litigation: Local Litigation Star – General Commercial Litigation and Real Estate Litigation, 2021 – 2024
• Best Lawyers®: Commercial Litigation, 2022 – 2025
• Chambers USA: Nationwide Cannabis Law, 2021 – 2024
• Colorado Super Lawyer: Business Litigation, 2020-2024; Rising Star: Business Litigation, 2012 – 2016
• Martindale-Hubbell Rating: AV® Preeminent™ (highest)
• National Law Journal Trailblazers in Cannabis 2018

• Panelist, “What are the concerns and needs of cannabis industry arbitration users and how can they be better served in arbitrations?”, Cannabis Arbitration Summit, Colorado Bar Association, October 1, 2024
• Panelist, “Litigation Issues and Challenges in the Cannabis Sector,” 7th Annual Cannabis Symposium, Colorado Bar Association, February 2023
• Author, “Why Don’t Banks Accept Cannabis Funds?,” Marijuana Venture, November 2021
• Panelist, “Series 301: Business Entity Litigation for Cannabis Businesses,” International Cannabis Bar Association, June 2021
• Speaker, “Birds of a Feather – Trends in Cannabis Litigation,” 2021 Ally Law Annual General Meeting, May 2021
• Panelist, “The Future of Cannabis Law,” Colorado Bar Association, March 2021
• Moderator, “The Proliferation of Cannabis Litigation: Recent Developments and Top Issues Trending in the World of Cannabis Litigation,” CBA-CLE Colorado Litigators’ Summit, September 2020
• Co-Author, “How the Cannabis Industry Can Be a Leader,” Marijuana Venture, March 2020
• Panelist, “Alternative Dispute Resolution,” International Cannabis Bar Association, Cannabis Law Institute, October 2019
• Co-Author, “The Evolving Legal Landscape of Employee Cannabis Use,” Marijuana Venture, August 2019
• Panelist, “Starting Up: Sowing the Seeds of Your Client’s Success,” MJBizConNEXT and MJBizHemp, The Cannabis Law Sessions, National Cannabis Bar Association, June 2019
• Panelist, “Initiating Litigation: Entity Disputes, Intellectual Property, Insurance and Other Claims,” Cannabis Law Institute Conference, National Cannabis Bar Association, September 2018
• Panelist, “Defending Against: Products Liability, RICO, Dram Shop/Social Host, and Other Claims,” Cannabis Law Institute Conference, National Cannabis Bar Association, September 2018
• Quoted, “Higher Law: What to Ask Would-Be Clients?,” com, April 2018
• Quoted, “Marijuana’s Rapid Growth Could Put New Spotlight on Arbitration,” com, September 2017
• Co-Presenter, “Business Litigation: Practical advice in Cannabis Litigation,” Cannabis Law Institute Conference, National Cannabis Bar Association, July 2017
• Co-Presenter, “Business Litigation: Lost Profits Claims,” NBI Teleconference, November 2013
• Co-Presenter, “Daubert Motions: What To Do After Testimony Has Been Excluded,” AICPA Forensic And Valuation Services Conference, November 2013
• Co-Presenter, “The Financial Expert And The Litigator: What To Expect And How To Get Along,” AICPA Forensic And Valuation Services Conference, November 2013
• Co-Presenter, “How to Prove or Defend Lost Profits,” Measuring Lost Profits in Litigation Conference, Colorado Society of CPAs and CLE of Colorado, December 2012
• Opinion: Kowalchik v. Brohl, 2012 COA 49, 2012 Colo. App. LEXIS 1279 (Colo. Ct. App. 2012)
• Co-Author, “How New Rules Can Affect Your Business Lawsuits: Business Litigation Under the New Civil Access Pilot Project,” Moye White Opportunities & Challenges, December 2011
• Author, “A Not-So-Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” Moye White Opportunities & Challenges, February 2011
• Opinion: A Good Time Rental, LLC v. First American Title Agency, Inc., 259 P.3d 534 (Colo. App. 2011)
• Opinion: Walter v. Walter, 181 Md. App. 273; 956 A.2d 255 (2008)
• Author, \“Preventing Small Business Fraud,” Moye White Opportunities & Challenges, April 2008

• American Bar Association
• Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program, Mentor
• Colorado Bar Association
• Denver Bar Association
• Downtown Denver Partnership Leadership Program, 2016
• International Association of Defense Counsel, Member
• Mile High Business Alliance, Former Board Member
• Montgomery County, Maryland Chapter of American Inns of Court, Former Member

• Colorado
• Maryland