Michael J. Gates

About Michael

Michael is a Colorado native born in Fort Collins to a career military officer. After studying trumpet at the Lamont School of Music, he pursued law school and is now a civil litigation specialist with considerable experience in construction industry disputes, business and commercial litigation, employment disputes, general liability, and insurance matters.

He has assisted clients with matters such as construction defect disputes, construction contract disputes, trade secret protection, employee discipline and investigation, civil rights, insurance coverage, and premises liability.

Education

• University of Denver, Lamont School of Music, BA in Music, 1995
• University of Denver, College of Law, J.D., 1999

Bar Admissions

• United States District Court for the District of Colorado
• United States Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals
• United States Supreme Court

Professional Memberships

• Colorado Bar Association, Member (Construction and Employment Law Sections)
• Denver Bar Association, Member and former Chair of the Young Lawyers Division
• Colorado Defense Lawyers Association, Member

Awards

• Best Lawyers: Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Construction (2024, 2025, 2026)
• Named a Colorado Super Lawyer (2020)
• 5280 Magazine Top Lawyer, Commercial Litigation (2025, 2026)
• 5280 Magazine Top Lawyer, Construction (2025, 2026)