Ryan J. Klein

Member

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Phone: 719.448.4028

Fax:

[email protected]

Education

  • J.D., Santa Clara University School of Law (2005)
    • Magna cum laude
    • Order of the Coif
    • Phi Delta Phi
    • Editor, Santa Clara Law Review
  • B.BA., University of Notre Dame (2002)
    • Magna cum laude 
    • Beta Gamma Sigma
    • Beta Alpha Psi
    • Phi Alpha Theta

When developers, construction companies, and government contractors face difficult legal issues, they turn to Ryan Klein for practical and effective solutions.

Ryan has a multidisciplinary practice focused on providing a broad range of legal services to clients in the construction and government contract industries.

He regularly advises owners and construction companies on all aspects of residential and commercial construction. On the front end, he assists owners, general contractors, and subcontractors in negotiating and drafting prime contracts, subcontracts, and other contractual documents. He then advises owners, general contractors, and subcontractors during projects when disputes and claims arise. Finally, he guides his clients through negotiations, mediations, arbitrations, and litigation.

Ryan also advises government contractors through the complex and ever-changing myriad of government regulatory requirements. He has years of experience assisting clients with all aspects of bid protests, size protests, socio-economic requirements, small business issues, contract administration, qui tam claims, internal investigations, mandatory disclosures, terminations, requests for equitable adjustment, and certified claims. As disputes can often hinge on one word in a contract, Ryan is actively involved with his government contract clients in negotiating and drafting subcontracts, teaming agreements, joint venture agreements, and mentor-protégé agreements.

When negotiations and mediations fail, he regularly represents his clients in litigation before federal and state courts, as well in arbitrations. Ryan has successfully represented owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in federal and state courts and arbitrations. He has also successfully represented government contractors before the United States Court of Federal Claims, Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, and Civilian Board of Contract Appeals.

Ryan’s commitment to the construction and government contract industries is exemplified by his work with trade associations to advocate for changes to existing laws and regulations and the passage of new laws and regulations. He also is actively involved in construction and government contracts through his numerous roles on boards and committees of several prominent trade associations. Finally, Ryan is regularly called upon as a thought leader to present on construction and government contracts, as evidenced by his frequent speaking and writing activities.

Experience

  • Obtained a jury verdict in favor of a developer against claims in excess of $11 million dollars.
  • Obtained a $1.2 million judgment on behalf of a subcontractor against a large commercial contractor on a state road construction project.
  • Obtained a full dismissal on behalf of a general contractor for claims asserted in the U.S. District Court of Colorado by a billion dollar subcontractor on a federal government contract and then successfully defended an appeal to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • Obtained a full trial verdict on behalf of a general contractor against a large subcontractor on a federal government contract in Colorado district court.
  • Obtained recovery in excess of $500,000, plus attorneys’ fees, in a qui tam lawsuit filed in South Carolina.
  • Successfully defended a bid protest to the Government Accountability Office on a $17 million procurement.
  • Successfully prosecuted a bid protest in Pueblo, Colorado on a $1.3 million dollar procurement.
  • Negotiated a favorable settlement for a municipal enterprise on claims by the prime contractor in excess of $7 million dollars.
  • Negotiated a favorable settlement for a developer of over 200 lots on an $8 million development when work was being delayed by a citizens group.
  • Negotiated and drafted a prime contract on behalf of an owner for a $40 million condominium project.
  • Negotiated and drafted a prime contract on behalf of an owner for over $20 million in upgrades to a high-tech manufacturing facility.
  • Negotiated and drafted a prime contract on behalf of an owner for a $7 million shopping center project.

Publications & Presentations

PUBLICATIONS

  • Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act
    Sherman & Howard Corporate & Transactional Advisory | April 24, 2020
  • Construction Defects, “Owner’s Damages Arising From Defective Construction”
    ABA Forum on the Construction Industry | 2012
  • The Practitioner’s Guide to Colorado Construction Law, “State Construction Projects”
    “State Construction Projects” – CLE in Colorado | 2007, 2010 and 2018

 

PRESENTATIONS

  • Regulations in Flux
    Annual Colorado Construction Law Seminar | March 4, 2022
  • Mentor-Protégé and Joint Venture Agreements for Federal Construction Projects
    Annual Colorado Construction Law Seminar | March 2020
  • Contracting with the City and County of Denver
    Annual Colorado Construction Law Seminar | March 2019
  • Bid Protests – Federal, State and Municipal
    Annual Colorado Construction Law Seminar | February 2018
  • Guidance on Multi-Family Development Following Vallagio v. Metro Homes
    Annual Colorado Springs Construction Law Seminar | October 2017
  • The Colorado General Assembly’s Changes to the Procurement Code in HB 17-1051
    Construction Law Webinar | April 2017
  • Practical Considerations with Dispute Resolution Provisions and Update on Vallagio
    Annual Colorado Springs Construction Law Seminar | November 2016
  • What Lies Underneath: A Guide to Differing Site Conditions
    Construction Law Webinar | January 2016
  • Do You Know What is in Your Contract? Best Practices for Construction and Government Contracts
    Sherman & Howard Annual Colorado Springs Construction Law Seminar | October 2015
  • Lessons Learned From Aurora VA Hospital
    Sherman & Howard Annual Colorado Construction Law Seminar | February 2015
  • Coverages, Disputes, and Tactics for Survival: Critical Litigation Issues, and Insights
    ABA Forum on the Construction Industry Presentation | 2011
  • Small Business Issues
    Associated General Contractors Presentation | 2012
  • Dispute Resolution/Claims
    U.S. Department of Transportation Bonding Education Program | 2011-present
  • Various Presentations
    National Contract Management Association | 2014-present
  • Various Presentations
    Colorado Procurement Technical Assistance | 2013-present

 

PRESS

Professional Activities

  • Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs
    • General Counsel
    • Executive Committee
    • Board of Directors
    • Public Policy Council
  • Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC
    • Board of Directors
    • Board of Governors
    • Government Affairs Committee
  • Associated Builders and Contractors
    • Southern Colorado Leadership Council
    • Government Affairs Committee
  • Colorado Home Builders Association, government affairs committee
  • American Red Cross, Southeastern Colorado, Board of Directors and volunteer

Highlights

  • Up and Coming, Construction, Colorado, Chambers USA (2023)
  • Colorado Springs Style Magazine
    • “Top Attorney”
      • Construction (2019)
      • Contract Law (2018 – 2019)
      • Government Contract Law (2018 – 2019)