Overview
Laurence “Trip” DeMuth provides invaluable leadership in complex energy, infrastructure, commercial and construction cases. Trip has compiled an impressive winning trial record, which includes securing millions of dollars in judgments and winning favorable verdicts defending against claims for hundreds of millions of dollars on a range of complex matters. His experience helps him assess cases early to develop a strategy for success and, if possible, a quick and efficient resolution or, if necessary, take the case to trial.
Energy & Infrastructure Litigation
Trip applies decades of complex litigation experience to assist clients in the energy and infrastructure sectors in large and sophisticated environmental and climate change-related matters. Climate change and associated regulatory developments, and private and public lawsuits are creating high-stakes litigation risk. Trip aligns himself with clients to find a path forward.
Recently, following four weeks of trial, Trip and his team saved a utility hundreds of millions of dollars defending against claims of poor operations and improper costs associated with the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Trip successfully argued that the plaintiff’s claims of imprudent operations were a pretext to attempt to recoup its investment in coal after seeing the regulatory winds changing. This verdict led to Law Week Colorado recognizing Trip as the 2024 “Top Litigator.”
Trip is a leader of the firm’s newly formed energy litigation team and draws on recent trial experience to guide clients through the complexities of energy and infrastructure disputes.
Complex Commercial & Construction Litigation
Trip has also led multiple litigation teams in complex commercial and construction matters. His cases have included:
- Representing a general contractor against claims related to the construction of a $250 million gold mill constructed at a mine.
- Represented multiple companies in disputes over governance, fiduciary duties, derivative claims, contracts and dissociation from joint ventures.
- Defended a general contractor against antitrust claims brought by both a state and municipality related to bids submitted for the construction of a convention center.
- In 2011, Law Week Colorado recognized a jury verdict Trip won in a fraud and breach of contract case as the seventh-largest jury verdict in Colorado.
Trip also serves as a trusted adviser to clients, including, for example, conducting internal investigations and serving on the steering committee for a multibillion-dollar international company as it considered expansion into China.
Recognition & Service
Trip was recognized in 2018 and 2024 by Law Week Colorado as a “Top Litigator.” He is ranked in Chambers USA and Best Lawyers. Trip is also a member of the Boulder County District Attorney’s Conviction Integrity Unit, a panel that reviews claims of injustice in Boulder County.
Prior Experience
Trip was a prosecutor in the Boulder County District Attorney’s office from 1984 to 2000. That experience has proven invaluable to the private practice clients he has represented in court since joining the firm in 2000.
Related Legal Services
Related Industries
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Colorado
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota
Education
University of Colorado Law School
J.D. (1983)
Colorado State University
B.A. (1980)
Insights & Events
Latest
News
Other Perspectives
- Featured twice on the television program The New Detectives, which aired on The Discovery Channel
- Featured on the television program Forensic Files, which aired on Court TV
Leadership & Community
Professional Associations
- Associated Builders and Contractors, Rocky Mountain Chapter — Board of Directors, 2016-19
- Boulder County Bar Association — Professionalism Committee and Former Member of Board of Directors
- Boulder County District Attorney’s Conviction Integrity Unit – Member
Civic Activities
- Boulder Public Library Foundation — Board of Directors, Former Member
- Dental Aid — Board of Directors, Former Member
Honors
- Law Week Colorado — “2024 Top Litigator” and “2018 Top Litigator”
- Martindale-Hubbell — Peer Review Rating: Highest Possible Rating in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards, 2024
- Chambers USA — Colorado, Construction, 2021-24
- Martindale-Hubbell — Peer Review Rating: AV-Preeminent®, 2013-23
- Best Lawyers® — Construction Law, 2020-21; Construction Litigation, 2020-21; Commercial Litigation, 2021
- Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2021
- Acritas — Star Lawyer, 2020
- Law Week Colorado — 2018 'Top Litigator'
- Faegre Baker Daniels — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2014-15
- Corporate Counsel Black Book, 2008
- Boulder County's Outstanding Young Lawyer for 1996
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.