Craig T. Watrous

Partner
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EDUCATION

  • Tulane University – J.D
  • Tulane University – M.B.A
  • University of Colorado – B.F.A
  • University of Colorado – B.A

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

  • Colorado Bar Association
  • Colorado Bar Association Ethics Committee
  • CBA Real Estate Law Section
  • CBA Business Law Section
  • CBA Mergers & Acquisitions Subsection
  • CBA Spanish Speaking Lawyers Committee
  • CBA International Law Section
  • Cherry Creek Chamber of Commerce – Ambassador
  • Tulane Alumni Association
  • University of Colorado Alumni Association
  • Thompson G. Marsh Inn of Court
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated
  • Super Lawyers

SEMINARS, CONFERENCES, PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

  • Business and Corporate Legal Lecturer – eL3 Plan Forward Business Bootcamp May 6, 2022
  • Know (No!) Your Limits: Lawyer Wellbeing Since COVIG – CLE Legal Seminar presented with his Inn group to the Thompson and Lucy Marsh Inn of Court, April 7, 2022
  • Sanction Zone: Ethics – CLE Legal Seminar presented with his Inn group to the Thompson G. Marsh Inn of Court, May 6, 2021
  • Business Legal Essentials Seminar taught for the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, October 2021
  • Objections in Trial – CLE Legal Seminar presented with his Inn group to the Thompson G. Marsh Inn of Court, February 6, 2020
  • Our Courts Colorado – Presentation – Our Courts is a joint project of the Colorado Judicial Institue and the Colorado Bar Association, presented to Centro San Juan de Diego – March 26, 2019
  • Explaining the Attorney-Client Privilege to Corporate Clients – Published by the American Bar Association – Litigation Section, December 13, 2017
  • Nuestros tribunales – Spanish Presentation – Our Courts is a joint project of the Colorado Judicial Institue and the Colorado Bar Association, presented to Centro San Juan de Diego – June 27, 2017
  • Our United States Courts – Presentation – Our Courts is a joint project of the Colorado Judicial Institue and the Colorado Bar Association, presented to Centro San Juan de Diego – March 14, 2016
  • A Rose by Any Other Name: Employees v. Independent Contractors  – CLE Legal Seminar presented to the American Immigration Attorneys Association (AILA) Colorado Chapter, January 13, 2016
  • Guest Judge – Trout Tank Business Competition at the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, February 24, 2015
  • Professional Advisory Panel Member at the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, July 10, 2014 and October 15, 2015
  • Lecturer at the Summer Leading Edge Professional Advisory Board – Denver Metro SBDC, June 25, 2015
  • ISM Denver – Winter Seminar, Legal Seminar on: Purchase Orders, Contracts, Lawsuits, Warranties, Leases, Professional Services Agreements, Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreements, and Contract Risks, Denver National Association of Purchasing Management/Institute for Supply Management (ISM), February 8, 2014
  • Legal Insights for the Supply Professional, Denver National Association of Purchasing Management (NAPM), January 16, 2014
  • Business Legal Essentials Seminar Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, November 4, 2013 and August 7, 2013
  • Startup Basics – Legal Presentation  Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, September 26, 2013; January 1, 2013; March 11, 2013; and June 3, 2013

Representative Matters

  • Represented seller, Anne Holland Ventures in connection with nine figure sale of MJBizCon, an events and media company, to Emerald X
  • Represented the seller in the commercial real estate sale of the Robinson Dairy site in Denver, CO
  • Represented developer in connection with the acquisition, re-development, leasing, financing, and ultimate sale of the Satori Residences, a 25 unit, mixed use retail/commercial project in central Denver
  • Represented selling shareholder in connection with the ultimate sale of Kentwood Real Estate to Berkshire Hathaway
  • Represented the buyer, AAA Colorado, in connection with eight-figure acquisition, reverse 1031 exchange, re-development, construction, and leasing of an office building in Greenwood Village, Colorado
  • Represented the seller, AAA Colorado, in connection with seven-figure sale and reverse 1031 exchange of commercial real estate building in Denver, Colorado
  • Represented the Comex Group as outside general counsel in connection with its United States business operations
  • Represented buyer in connection with the purchase, property management, and leasing of the historic Fleming Brother’s Building in Denver, Colorado
  • Represented borrower in connection with eight-figure loan refinance
  • Represented tenant in the negotiation and drafting of a 35,000 sq/ft commercial office lease and related seven figure tenant improvement build-out.
  • Represented seller in connection with eight-figure sale of construction business and related real estate transactions
  • Seven-figure verdict for client in connection with a breach of contract case tried before a three member arbitration panel of the American Arbitration Association.
  • Represented employee in connection with the successful settlement of a high six-figure claim for unpaid wages and commissions.
  • Represented manufacturer in sale of 20+ nationwide, non-franchised, independent dealerships
  • Represented client in connection with eight-figure tri-party merger and acquisition transaction
  • Represented shareholder in connection with eight-figure business stock sale in connection with sale of a pharmaceutical company
  • Represented developer in the acquisition, re-development, construction and sale of a 6-plex residential condo project in Ri-No Denver, Colorado
  • Represented seller in connection with seven-figure sale of commercial/warehouse property in Commerce City, Colorado
  • Represented seller in connection with the sale of 40-year-old local Colorado insurance agency
  • Represented Seller in connection with seven-figure sale of a Colorado property management company
  • Represented Seller in connection with seven-figure sale of an environmental services company
  • Represented Seller in connection with the seven-figure sale of an Amazon FBA, e-commerce business
  • Represented AAA Colorado as outside general counsel in connection with its business and real estate operations.
  • Six-figure settlement achieved for client in connection with a commercial real estate property purchase non-disclosure claim.
  • Seven-figure settlement achieved for client in connection with a business partnership dispute.
  • Six-figure verdict for client in connection with a breach of contract (non-payment) case tried in week long arbitration in front of the American Arbitration Association
  • Advisement, negotiation and drafting of corporate governance documents for LLC’s, LLP’s, S-corporations, and C-corporations

Craig T. Watrous

Partner

(SE HABLA ESPAÑOL E  FALA PORTUGUES)

JD/MBA

direct: 303.722.2165
cwatrous@mlmw-law.com

Craig focuses his practice on mergers & acquisitions, real estatebusiness and commercial law, outside general counsel, litigation, and corporate law.  He represents businesses and individuals through ongoing business operations, deals, and disputes. His clients come from a wide range of industries including: manufacturing, engineering, software, environmental services & remediation, restaurants, construction, financial services, tech, and business consulting. He advises clients on a diverse range of business topics including: mergers and acquisitions, transactions, employment matters, consolidations, non-competition agreements, planning and operational legal problems, distribution, dealerships, and corporate matters. He also helps clients in the negotiation and resolution of disputes, including all phases of litigation, arbitration, and trial.

Craig is licensed to practice in Colorado, the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, the United States Tax Court, and is a member of the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations. Along with his practice, Craig is actively involved with many professional and trade organizations, including the Colorado Bar Association’s Real Estate Law, International Law and Business Law sections, the CBA Spanish Speaking Lawyers Committee, the Thompson G. Marsh Inn of Court, the Tulane and University of Colorado Alumni Associations, and the Cherry Creek Chamber of Commerce. Craig has also served on the Colorado Bar Association’s Ethics Committee.

He is a legal lecturer and regularly presents seminars on business law topics to various organizations such as the American Bar Association, Colorado Bar AssociationISM – Denver, Inc., a chapter of the Institute for Supply Management, Denver Metro Small Business Development CentereL3 Hub, Thompson and Lucy Marsh Inn of Court, and legal associations. He also donates his time pro bono for numerous state and local organizations including Mi Casa, Centro San Juan de Diego Spanish Speaking Lawyer Committee, and Our Courts Colorado. Craig has an MBA and is tri-lingual in Spanish, Portuguese, and English and has spent considerable time working and studying overseas. He has international business experience in Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Colombia and Puerto Rico.

Prior to joining MLMW, Craig worked with a US based wind energy company on a wind farm study and development project in Puerto Rico; worked with the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office on policy review and analysis concerning Colorado legislation related to renewable energy and energy efficiency laws for commercial and residential real estate; worked as a production coordinator for a film production company in Buenos Aires, Argentina; and consulted for a Venezuelan company regarding US market penetration and expansion.

Craig received his Juris Doctor degree with a Certificate in Environmental Law and his Master of Business Administration from Tulane University. He was a member of the Tulane Moot Court National Trial Team and worked for the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic. Craig clerked for the Hon. Judge Gilbert Gutierrez of the 19th Judicial District Court in Weld County, Colorado. He has a Certificate in Mediation and a Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from Tulane University and the Humboldt University Law School of Berlin, Germany. Craig also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Spanish Literature) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film Production) from the University of Colorado. He loves the outdoors and enjoys skiing, travel, rock climbing and mountain biking.

Practice Mix: 50% Litigation – 50% Transactional

SOMOS BILINGÜES Y REPRESENTAMOS A EMPRESAS E INDIVIDUOS HISPANOHABLANTES

Craig se centra su práctica en fusiones y adquisiciones, bienes inmuebles, derecho empresarial y comercial, gerente litigios y derecho corporativo. Él representa empresas e individuos en negocios y disputas. Sus clientes provienen de una amplia gama de industrias, incluyendo: la fabricación, servicios ambientales,software, remediación ambiental, la ingeniería, technología, los restaurantes, la construcción, los servicios financieros y consultoría de negocios. Craig asesora a sus clientes en una amplia variedad de temas de negocios que incluyen: transacciones nacionales e internacionales, consolidaciones corporativos, acuerdos de no competencia, fusiones y adquisiciones, la planificación operativa, distribución, concesionarios, la creación de empresas y temas corporativas. También asesora a sus clientes en la negociación y la resolución de disputas, incluyendo, todas las fases de litigios.

Craig está licenciado en Colorado, la United States District Court for the District of Colorado, la United States Tax Court, y es miembro de los Colorado y  Denver Bar Associations. Junto con su práctica, Craig está activamente involucrado con varias organizaciones profesionales y comerciales, incluyendo: Colorado Bar Association’s Real Estate Law, International Law and Business Law sections, CBA Spanish Speaking Lawyers Committee, Thompson G. Marsh Inn of Court, Tulane y University of Colorado Alumni Associations y el Cherry Creek Chamber of Commerce. Craig fue un miembro también del Colorado Bar Association’s Ethics Committee. Es conferenciante legal y regularmente presenta seminarios sobre temas de derecho de negocios para diversas organizaciones, como: American Bar Association, Colorado Bar AssociationISM – Denver, Inc., Denver Metro Small Business Development CentereL3 Hub, y Thompson and Lucy Marsh Inn of Court.  y varias associaciones de abogados. Él también dona su tiempo pro bono (gratis) para numerosas organizaciones estatales: Mi Casa, Centro San Juan de Diego Spanish Speaking Lawyer Committee, and Our Courts Colorado.

Craig tiene un MBA y es trilingüe en español, portugués e inglés y ha dedicado mucho tiempo a trabajar y estudiar en el extranjero. Él tiene experiencia en negocios internacionales en México, Argentina, España, Colombia y Puerto Rico. Antes de unirse a Mallon Lonnquist Morris & Watrous, Craig trabajó con una compañía de energía eólica con sede en EE.UU. en un estudio de campos eólicos y proyectos de desarrollo en Puerto Rico; trabajó con The Governor’s Energy Office of Colorado en la revisión y el análisis sobre la legislación de Colorado relacionada con las leyes de eficiencia energética y energía renovable para propiedades comerciales y residenciales; trabajó como coordinador de producción de cine para una empresa cinematográfica en Buenos Aires, Argentina; y consultó por una empresa Venezolana con respecto a la penetración de mercado de Estados Unidos y la exportación.

Craig recibió su doctorado de Juris Doctor con un Certificado en Derecho Ambiental y su Maestría en Administración de Empresas de la Universidad de Tulane. Fue miembro de la Selección Nacional de Tulane’s Moot Court y trabajó para la Clínica de Derecho Ambiental de Tulane. Craig hizo una pasantía para el Hon. Judge Gilbert Gutierrez del 19th Judicial District Court en Weld County, Colorado. Él tiene un Certificado en Mediación y un Certificado en Modalidades Alternativas de Solución de Conflictos de la Universidad de Tulane y la Facultad de Derecho de Humboldt-Universität en Berlín, Alemania. Craig también tiene una Licenciatura en Artes (Literatura Española) y una Licenciatura en Bellas Artes (Film Production) de la Universidad de Colorado.

Él ama el aire libre y disfruta del esquí, viajar, escalada en roca y ciclismo de montaña.

EDUCATION

  • Tulane University – J.D
  • Tulane University – M.B.A
  • University of Colorado – B.F.A
  • University of Colorado – B.A

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

  • Colorado Bar Association
  • Colorado Bar Association Ethics Committee
  • CBA Real Estate Law Section
  • CBA Business Law Section
  • CBA Mergers & Acquisitions Subsection
  • CBA Spanish Speaking Lawyers Committee
  • CBA International Law Section
  • Cherry Creek Chamber of Commerce – Ambassador
  • Tulane Alumni Association
  • University of Colorado Alumni Association
  • Thompson G. Marsh Inn of Court
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated
  • Super Lawyers

SEMINARS, CONFERENCES, PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

  • Business and Corporate Legal Lecturer – eL3 Plan Forward Business Bootcamp May 6, 2022
  • Know (No!) Your Limits: Lawyer Wellbeing Since COVIG – CLE Legal Seminar presented with his Inn group to the Thompson and Lucy Marsh Inn of Court, April 7, 2022
  • Sanction Zone: Ethics – CLE Legal Seminar presented with his Inn group to the Thompson G. Marsh Inn of Court, May 6, 2021
  • Business Legal Essentials Seminar taught for the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, October 2021
  • Objections in Trial – CLE Legal Seminar presented with his Inn group to the Thompson G. Marsh Inn of Court, February 6, 2020
  • Our Courts Colorado – Presentation – Our Courts is a joint project of the Colorado Judicial Institue and the Colorado Bar Association, presented to Centro San Juan de Diego – March 26, 2019
  • Explaining the Attorney-Client Privilege to Corporate Clients – Published by the American Bar Association – Litigation Section, December 13, 2017
  • Nuestros tribunales – Spanish Presentation – Our Courts is a joint project of the Colorado Judicial Institue and the Colorado Bar Association, presented to Centro San Juan de Diego – June 27, 2017
  • Our United States Courts – Presentation – Our Courts is a joint project of the Colorado Judicial Institue and the Colorado Bar Association, presented to Centro San Juan de Diego – March 14, 2016
  • A Rose by Any Other Name: Employees v. Independent Contractors  – CLE Legal Seminar presented to the American Immigration Attorneys Association (AILA) Colorado Chapter, January 13, 2016
  • Guest Judge – Trout Tank Business Competition at the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, February 24, 2015
  • Professional Advisory Panel Member at the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, July 10, 2014 and October 15, 2015
  • Lecturer at the Summer Leading Edge Professional Advisory Board – Denver Metro SBDC, June 25, 2015
  • ISM Denver – Winter Seminar, Legal Seminar on: Purchase Orders, Contracts, Lawsuits, Warranties, Leases, Professional Services Agreements, Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreements, and Contract Risks, Denver National Association of Purchasing Management/Institute for Supply Management (ISM), February 8, 2014
  • Legal Insights for the Supply Professional, Denver National Association of Purchasing Management (NAPM), January 16, 2014
  • Business Legal Essentials Seminar Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, November 4, 2013 and August 7, 2013
  • Startup Basics – Legal Presentation  Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, September 26, 2013; January 1, 2013; March 11, 2013; and June 3, 2013

Representative Matters

  • Represented seller, Anne Holland Ventures in connection with nine figure sale of MJBizCon, an events and media company, to Emerald X
  • Represented the seller in the commercial real estate sale of the Robinson Dairy site in Denver, CO
  • Represented developer in connection with the acquisition, re-development, leasing, financing, and ultimate sale of the Satori Residences, a 25 unit, mixed use retail/commercial project in central Denver
  • Represented selling shareholder in connection with the ultimate sale of Kentwood Real Estate to Berkshire Hathaway
  • Represented the buyer, AAA Colorado, in connection with eight-figure acquisition, reverse 1031 exchange, re-development, construction, and leasing of an office building in Greenwood Village, Colorado
  • Represented the seller, AAA Colorado, in connection with seven-figure sale and reverse 1031 exchange of commercial real estate building in Denver, Colorado
  • Represented the Comex Group as outside general counsel in connection with its United States business operations
  • Represented buyer in connection with the purchase, property management, and leasing of the historic Fleming Brother’s Building in Denver, Colorado
  • Represented borrower in connection with eight-figure loan refinance
  • Represented tenant in the negotiation and drafting of a 35,000 sq/ft commercial office lease and related seven figure tenant improvement build-out.
  • Represented seller in connection with eight-figure sale of construction business and related real estate transactions
  • Seven-figure verdict for client in connection with a breach of contract case tried before a three member arbitration panel of the American Arbitration Association.
  • Represented employee in connection with the successful settlement of a high six-figure claim for unpaid wages and commissions.
  • Represented manufacturer in sale of 20+ nationwide, non-franchised, independent dealerships
  • Represented client in connection with eight-figure tri-party merger and acquisition transaction
  • Represented shareholder in connection with eight-figure business stock sale in connection with sale of a pharmaceutical company
  • Represented developer in the acquisition, re-development, construction and sale of a 6-plex residential condo project in Ri-No Denver, Colorado
  • Represented seller in connection with seven-figure sale of commercial/warehouse property in Commerce City, Colorado
  • Represented seller in connection with the sale of 40-year-old local Colorado insurance agency
  • Represented Seller in connection with seven-figure sale of a Colorado property management company
  • Represented Seller in connection with seven-figure sale of an environmental services company
  • Represented Seller in connection with the seven-figure sale of an Amazon FBA, e-commerce business
  • Represented AAA Colorado as outside general counsel in connection with its business and real estate operations.
  • Six-figure settlement achieved for client in connection with a commercial real estate property purchase non-disclosure claim.
  • Seven-figure settlement achieved for client in connection with a business partnership dispute.
  • Six-figure verdict for client in connection with a breach of contract (non-payment) case tried in week long arbitration in front of the American Arbitration Association
  • Advisement, negotiation and drafting of corporate governance documents for LLC’s, LLP’s, S-corporations, and C-corporations
Accolades
Super Lawyers - Craig T. Watrous
Martindale-Hubbell Logo - Preeminent
Super Lawyers - Rising Stars - Craig T. Watrous