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Phone: 720.931.1160
Fax: 720.228.2275

Eugene R. Commander

Shareholder

Gene Commander has more than 30 years of experience representing construction clients, and he is vice chair of the firm’s national Construction practice group.

Mr. Commander has practiced construction law in Denver since 1981, where he often represents companies listed in Engineering News-Record’s Top 400 Contractors. His practice is focused primarily on the representation of general contractors, construction managers, EPC contractors and design-builders, although during his career he has also represented owners and developers, specialty subcontractors, architects and engineers, building material and equipment manufacturers and suppliers, surety companies, insurance carriers and financial institutions.

He provides strategic legal advice to his construction clients, ranging from project planning, contract drafting and negotiations to project finance, and from workouts to dispute resolution, including bid disputes; acceleration, lost productivity, delay, termination, scope of work, differing site condition, defective design, workmanship, and mold abatement claims; prompt payment, trust fund violation, mechanic’s lien foreclosure and bankruptcy proceedings; performance and payment bond, insurance and reinsurance issues; licensing and disciplinary proceedings; and product liability, property damage, personal injury and wrongful death actions. He litigates matters before state and federal courts, arbitration panels, governmental agencies and alternative dispute resolution forums. His experience includes international business transactions and related U.S. litigation.

He also frequently serves as an arbitrator and mediator for construction and related commercial proceedings administered by the American Arbitration Association.

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Associated General Contractors of America, Colorado Chapter
  • Colorado Contractors Association
  • American Arbitration Association, Panel of Commercial and Construction Industry Arbitrators
  • Colorado Bar Association
  • Denver Bar Association
  • Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc., Past Chair
  • Denver Civic Ventures, Past Chair 
  • Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, Executive Committee

Distinctions

  • Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2005-2012, Construction Law
  • Selected for inclusion in Colorado Super Lawyers, 2006-2011
  • Selected to be a member of the Transportation Committee for the Hickenlooper-Garcia gubernatorial transition team, 2010
  • Recognized as one of ten "Power Book" finalists for the legal profession by Denver Business Journal, 2008

Experience

working with clients on a wide range of public and private projects in a number of states across the country and in Canada and Honduras, including:
  • Infrastructure projects such as highways, bridges, runways, and a transit and pedestrian mall, earthen dam and reservoir
  • Industrial projects involving petroleum fueled power generation, concrete block manufacturing, plastic injection mold manufacturing, computer chip manufacturing, wind energy research and development, data centers and warehouses
  • Commercial projects such as resorts, casinos, hotels, office buildings, retail malls and mixed-use developments
  • Residential projects involving high-rise condominiums, townhomes, apartments and custom single-family residences
  • Public projects such as detention facilities, schools, recreation and community centers, churches and a museum

Publications & Presentations

Presently
Gene Commander has written numerous articles for construction industry publications, including the Colorado Real Estate Journal, Colorado Construction, and On-Site, a publication of the Associated General Contractors of Colorado

Mr. Commander has been a speaker at numerous real estate and construction conferences.