James G. Sawtelle
Whether in the courtroom or in a client's boardroom, Jim is a proven advocate with a results-driven approach to legal services. His experience as a trial lawyer has resulted in refinements to existing laws, including state law governing the statute of frauds, as well as punitive damages claims under procedural due process scrutiny.
Nationally recognized as a thorough and communicative advisor, Jim thoughtfully guides clients through their most pressing legal issues with a keen awareness of their unique business goals. He is skilled at choosing the right tactics, such as proactive counseling and risk analysis, dispute resolution by settlement, or going to court, all tailored to his client's particular goals.
When counseling clients, Jim draws from his decades of experience serving as outside counsel to one of the country's largest media companies. In that role, he skillfully oversaw numerous legal matters involving commercial litigation, class action defense, IP, employment counseling and litigation, and contract negotiations. He also handled matters related to data privacy and security, consumer protection, executive compensation and benefits, brand licensing agreements, mergers and acquisitions, and joint ventures.
Related Practices
Experience
Government Experience
- Assistant Attorney General for the State of Colorado, 1999 – 2000
Representative Matters
- Secured a full defense verdict for a general contractor and its principal who faced copyright infringement and business tort claims relating to architectural drawings used in constructing a multi-million-dollar church facility in Colorado Springs
- Won a jury verdict of $16.7 million, which included $15 million in punitive damages, while serving as an investor group’s lead counsel in a matter against a multinational corporation
- Successfully negotiated a settlement valued at $13.5 million for 79 small businesses while serving as a lead trial counsel in a commercial dispute against a government entity
- Developed a multi-state litigation program to remedy financial losses incurred from a series of contract disputes on behalf of a marketing firm. Won more than $4.2 million in favor of the client
- Served as the co-trial counsel in a trademark infringement lawsuit regarding a real estate brokerage opposing a national franchise. Earned a $4 million settlement in favor of the client
- Served as the co-trial counsel in the defense of a Digital Millennium Copyright Act and Lanham Act case dealing with claims against a software development organization for more than $56 million
- Successfully negotiated a pre-trial, no-payment dismissal and release while serving as a defense counsel for a U.S. television broadcasting group. Skillfully eliminated multi-million-dollar damages claims brought forward by a terminated C-suite employee of the client
- Won a defense verdict in an arbitration hearing on behalf of an international veterinary education provider. Successfully defended the client against claims of copyright infringement and breach of license agreement involving their teaching materials
Insights
Credentials
Education
- J.D. with distinction University of Iowa College of Law 1991
- Associate editor, University of Iowa Law Review
- B.A. with distinction University of Iowa 1988
- Phi Beta Kappa
Bar Admissions
- Colorado
Court Admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- U.S. District Court of Colorado
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
Professional Memberships and Activities
- University of Iowa Law School Foundation
- Member, Board of Directors
- Member, Executive Committee
- Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, Trial Lawyer Honorary Society
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Colorado Bar Association
- Intellectual Property Section Council
- Member, Faculty of Federal Advocates
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Member, Christian Legal Society
Recognition
- Super Lawyers
- IP Litigation, 2011 – 2026
- Top 100 Lawyers, Colorado, 2018, 2024, 2026
- Best Lawyers in America
- Commercial Litigation, Denver, 2020 – 2027
- Intellectual Property, Denver, 2013 – 2027
- Legal 500, Denver Elite, Commercial Disputes, 2026
- Chambers USA
- Litigation General Commercial, Colorado, 2013 – 2026
- Intellectual Property, Colorado, 2018 – 2020
- Managing IP
- IP Stars, Copyright, U.S., 2014 – 2026
- IP Stars, Trademark, U.S., 2014 – 2026