Stephanie A. Kanan, Partner at our Denver law office
Stephanie A. Kanan vcard
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Stephanie A. Kanan

Partner
Biography

Stephanie Kanan is a member of the firm’s Litigation, Investigations, and Trials Practice Group.  She represents clients across a variety of industries in complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts, with significant experience in real estate and construction matters involving developers, homebuilders, and construction industry professionals.  Her practice also involves commercial disputes, corporate governance and shareholder disputes, consumer lending litigation for institutional clients, contract negotiations, and insurance coverage litigation.  She approaches disputes strategically, positioning matters for efficient resolution through negotiation, dispositive motions, or trial when necessary.

Before entering private practice, Stephanie served as a trial attorney with the Colorado State Public Defender’s Office, where she tried numerous cases to verdict and developed substantial courtroom and trial experience.

 

Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado


Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Colorado
  • United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit


Education

  • University of Colorado School of Law (J.D.)
  • University of Puget Sound (B.A., Political Science)
Experience

Awards & Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®
    • Commercial Litigation (2021-2026)
    • Construction Litigation (2021-2026)
    • Real Estate Litigation (2023-2026)
  • Colorado Super Lawyers®, Rising Stars Edition, General Litigation (2020-2021)

Representative Matters

  • First-chaired the defense of a national homebuilder in a three-week jury trial involving a multimillion-dollar construction defect action brought by a homeowners’ association on behalf of more than 500 homeowners
  • Defended a national homebuilder in a two-week arbitration in a multimillion-dollar construction defect action brought by multiple homeowners alleging structural defects
  • First-chaired the defense of a pipeline company in a two-week federal bench trial in an easement dispute brought by landowners involving pipeline access, vegetation clearing, and pipeline safety rights
  • Defended an infrastructure management solutions company in a multimillion-dollar lawsuit arising from a power disruption at a semiconductor manufacturing plant
  • Represented midstream oil and gas company in breach of contract and bad faith denial of insurance coverage dispute arising out of the construction of a pipeline
  • Represented members in a limited liability company asserting individual and derivative claims in an action against other members for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, breach of fiduciary duty, civil conspiracy, and dissolution of the company
  • Represented member in a limited liability company in membership interest dispute
  • Represented financial institution in complex federal litigation involving a trust benefitting an heir to the one of the largest private companies in America
  • Represented court-appointed limited receiver of licensed collection agency
  • Represented financial institution in many matters following its purchase of assets from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

Previous Professional Experience

  • Lindquist & Vennum, LLP, Associate (2013-2016)
  • Colorado State Public Defender’s Office, Trial Attorney (2010-2013)

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • Colorado LGBT Bar Association
  • Colorado Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
  • Colorado Women’s Bar Association
  • Faculty of Federal Advocates

Community Involvement

  • Colorado Lawyers Committee
    • Co-Chair, Denver Legal Night Clinics (2015-2019)
    • Young Lawyers Division, Board Member (2015-2019)
  • Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN), Volunteer Attorney (2013-present)
  • Impact Denver Leadership Program, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce (Class of 2016)
  • United States Peace Corps, Western Kenya, Health Education Resource Volunteer (2003-2005)

Representative Presentations and Publications

  • The Practitioner’s Guide to Colorado Construction Law, Chapter Editor and Author, Third Edition (2020)
  • “Case Law and Legislative Updates for Financial Services Industry Practitioners,” Co-Presenter, CBA-CLE, Denver, CO (April 17, 2019)
  • ‘Prenups’ Are Not Just for Individuals: Protecting Your Client in a Business Divorce,” Co-Author, Corporate Counsel Magazine (April 2018)
  • “Same-Sex Married Couples Can Now File Joint Consumer Bankruptcy Petitions,” Author, Law Week Colorado, Volume 14, Number 21 (May 23, 2016)