Lucas T. Ritchie

Top rated Securities Litigation attorney in Denver, Colorado

Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell LLP
Lucas T. Ritchie
Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell LLP

Practice Areas: Securities Litigation, Business Litigation

Licensed in Colorado since: 2004

Education: University of Denver Sturm College of Law

Selected to Super Lawyers: 2018 - 2025 Selected to Rising Stars: 2009 - 2017
Virtual Appointments Free Consultation

Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell LLP

370 Seventeenth Street
Suite 4500
Denver, CO 80202 Phone: 916-550-9282 Email: Lucas T. Ritchie Visit website

Details

For nearly twenty years, Lucas "Luke" Ritchie has focused his litigation and trial practice on complex business and securities disputes, investigations, and enforcement actions involving federal and state securities laws, the False Claims Act, consumer protection laws, and corporate governance and fiduciary laws. His clients include businesses ranging in maturity from development-stage to public and spanning sectors from fintech and traditional financial services to technology and manufacturing, along with their officers, directors, compliance personnel, and board committees, as well as investment advisors, Certified Financial Planners™, and other highly regulated professionals.  Luke is well known for successfully guiding clients through the myriad hazards and exposure points they encounter when faced with litigating on multiple fronts – defending against not only civil investigations and enforcement actions pursued by federal and state regulators, but also parallel civil actions brought by private litigants and court-appointed receivers in conjunction with such investigations.

Luke has been interviewed regarding his cases and for his insights as a subject-matter expert in the Wall Street Journal, NPR’s Marketplace, the Denver Business Journal, the Colorado Sun, ColoradoBiz, LawWeek Colorado, and other publications and television outlets. He is frequently asked to present to the legal and business communities on topics related to Securities Law, investigations, litigation, and legal ethics.

Luke is also well known for his bar leadership. He chaired both the Colorado Bar Association’s Business Law Section and Litigation Section, and was a three-term Chair of the CBA’s Securities Law Subsection. Having been appointed by the Colorado Supreme Court, Luke also serves as a member of the Colorado Civil Rules Committee.

Graduating cum laude, Luke received his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Colorado, where he was a Presidents Leadership Scholar and a CU Rugby player. He pursued his legal education at the University of Denver - Sturm College of Law, where he obtained his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 2004. In law school, he was the recipient of the American Jurisprudence / Scholastic Excellence Awards in Administrative Law, Natural Resources Law, and Hazardous Wastes and Toxic Torts. 

Mr. Ritchie is admitted to practice in Colorado and before the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He serves as a fierce and tenacious advocate for the rights and liberties of his clients with a firm commitment to their needs. 

Luke has received numerous awards and accolades for his notable legal work, including the AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell and a 10/10 rating on Avvo. For four consecutive years he has been named by 5280 Magazine as a Top Securities Lawyer, by Law Week Colorado as Barrister’s Best – Best Securities Litigator, or People’s Choice Barrister’s Best – Best Securities Litigator, and by Benchmark Litigation as Local Litigation Star in the areas of general commercial litigation and securities litigation. In 2021, Luke was named to the National Law Journal's list of Trailblazers in Litigation. 

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards. 

First Admitted: 2004, Colorado

Professional Webpage: https://wtotrial.com/lucas-t-ritchie

Bar/Professional Activity:
  • Commissioner, Colorado Access to Justice Commission, 2024
  • Member, Colorado Supreme Court's Civil Rules Committee, 2022
  • Chair, Colorado Bar Association, Business Law Section (July 1, 2022 - present), 2022
  • Colorado Bar Association's Litigation Section, Former Chair, 2020
  • Chair, Colorado Bar Association, Securities Law Subsection (2018 to 2021), 2021
  • Immediate Past Chair, Colorado Bar Association, Litigation Section (2021 - present), 2021
  • Co-Chair, Colorado Bar Association Securities Subsection (2015 to 2018), 2015
  • Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association, Business Law Section (2015 to present), 2015
  • Executive Council, Colorado Bar Association, Litigation Section (2013 to present), 2013
  • Member, Colorado Bar Association's Board of Governors (2019 - 2020), 2020
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
  • Represented founder and CEO of architecture, design, and development conglomerate in obtaining favorable outcome in separation and divestiture from companies' management and ownership., 2022
  • Represented CEO of blockchain technology company in defending SEC enforcement investigation alleging Securities Act and Exchange Act violations - obtained "no action" letter. , 2022
  • Lead counsel for international manufacturing company and its officers and directors in defending shareholder actions challenging complex merger transaction between the publicly traded company and its successor private company and claiming millions in damages. Obtained full dismissals of both the putative class-action alleging breaches of fiduciary duties and the parallel “dissenter’s rights” action alleging violations of the Colorado Business Corporations Act. , 2021
  • Represented officers and directors of major environmental consulting and construction firm in complicated business divorce from company's Founder and CEO. Negotiated critically important stock redemption and favorable settlement terms. , 2021
  • Represented mutual fund’s management and Interested Trustee in defending SEC enforcement proceeding alleging 1940 Act claims - obtained SEC “no action” letter, 2017
  • Represented mutual fund’s Interested and Independent Trustees in defending SEC enforcement proceeding alleging 1940 Act claims - negotiated favorable settlement terms and administrative order, 2016
  • Represented Municipal Fund and its former Trustees in defending seven consolidated securities class action lawsuits currently pending before the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, 2015
  • Represented registered investment advisor and its president in defending SEC enforcement proceeding alleging claims of improper registration and material misstatements – negotiated agreeable settlement terms and administrative order, 2014
  • Represented brokerage firm in defending customer dispute alleging state and federal securities fraud and breach of fiduciary duty claims – negotiated walk away settlement on the eve of FINRA arbitration hearing, which enabled brokerage firm to avoid Central Registration Depository reporting, 2013
  • Represented defrauded investor in prosecuting claims for securities fraud and other business torts against promoter of business scheme – obtained judgment for damages including return of investment, statutory interest and reasonable attorney fees at trial, 2013
  • Represented nonprofit entity and its Executive Director in defending against a wrongful termination action filed by a former employee – obtained a full defense verdict at trial, 2012
  • Represented regional vocational college in defending against Title VII racial discrimination claims asserted by former employee – obtained summary judgment, dismissal of subsequent appeal and denial of subsequent petition for a writ of certiorari to the US Supreme Court, 2011
  • Represented seller of regional business in defending against claims brought by potential purchaser and in prosecuting counterclaims and cross-claims against multiple parties – obtained full dismissal after first week at trial, 2011
  • Represented national nutraceutical business in defending claims and in prosecuting counterclaims in commercial contract dispute – obtained six-figure jury verdict at trial, 2009
  • Represented regional satellite TV business in prosecuting claims for breach of distribution agreement – obtained six-figure award at arbitration, 2008
Representative Clients:
  • Chairman and CEO of manufacturing/steel company , 2022
  • Founder, CEO of blockchain technology company, 2021
  • Founder, President, and CEO of Financial Services/Business Consulting Conglomerate, 2021
  • Private Equity Fund Complex and Management Team (2017 to present), 2019
  • Venture Capital Fund Complex and Management Team (2017 to present), 2019
Pro bono/Community Service:
  • Trustee, Board of Trustees, Logan School for Creative Learning (2017 to present), 2022
  • Member, Trusteeship Committee, The Logan School for Creative Learning (2016 to present), 2022
  • Chair, Trusteeship Committee, The Logan School for Creative Learning (2018 to 2020), 2020
  • Member, Board of the Colorado Lawyers Committee (2017 to 2019), 2019
  • Liaison to Colorado Bar Association, WeeCycle (2013 to present), 2022
  • Member, University of Colorado, Rugby (1996 to 1997)
Honors/Awards:
  • Top 100 Lawyers, Colorado Super Lawyers, 2022
  • Securities Litigation Super Lawyer, Colorado Super Lawyers, 2022
  • Top Securities Lawyer, 5280 Magazine, 2022
  • Litigation Securities; Litigation Insurance, Best Lawyers, 2022
  • Trailblazers In Litigation, National Law Journal, 2021
  • Top Securities Lawyer, 5280 Magazine, 2021
  • Barrister's Best, Best Securities Litigator, Law Week Colorado, 2021
  • Litigation, Securities, Best Lawyers, 2021
  • Best Lawyers®: Litigation - Securities, 2020-2021, Litigation - Securities, Best Lawyers, 2021
  • Colorado Super Lawyers: Securities Litigation, 2018 - 2021, Securities Litigation Super Lawyer, Colorado Super Lawyers, 2021
  • Benchmark Litigation: Local Litigation Star - General Commercial Litigation and Securities Litigation, 2020-2021, Local Litigation Star: General Commercial Litigation and Securities Litigation, Benchmark Litigation, 2021
  • Barrister's Best, Best Securities Litigator, Law Week Colorado, 2020
  • Litigation, Securities, Best Lawyers, 2020
  • Securities Litigation Super Lawyer, Colorado Super Lawyers, 2020
  • Local Litigation Star, Benchmark Litigation, 2020
  • AV Preeminent* (5.0/5.0) Rating from 2016 to present.  Peer rated in Martindale-Hubbell® for Highest Level of Professional Excellence. *AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards., AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell®, 2019
  • Avvo Rating 10 - Superb, 10-Superb, AVVO, 2019
  • Colorado Super Lawyers, Securities Litigation, 2018, Securities Litigation Super Lawyer, Colorado Super Lawyers, 2019
  • ..., Securities Litigation Super Lawyer, Colorado Super Lawyers, 2018
  • Colorado Super Lawyers Rising Star Business Litigation, 2009- 2017, Business Litigation Rising Star, Colorado Super Lawyers, 2017
  • ..., Business Litigation Rising Star, Colorado Super Lawyers, 2016
  • ..., Business Litigation Rising Star, Colorado Super Lawyers, 2015
  • ..., Business Litigation Rising Star, Colorado Super Lawyers, 2014
  • ..., Business Litigation Rising Star, Colorado Super Lawyers, 2013
  • ..., Business Litigation Rising Star, Colorado Super Lawyers, 2012
  • ..., Business Litigation Rising Star, Colorado Super Lawyers, 2011
  • ..., Business Litigation Rising Star, Colorado Super Lawyers, 2010
  • ..., Business Litigation Rising Star, Colorado Super Lawyers, 2009
Educational Background:
  • University of Denver, J.D.
  • University of Colorado, B.A., cum laude, Philosophy, Honors: Scholar/Scholarship Recipient, Presidents’ Leadership Class, May 2001
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
  • CLE Program, Faculty/Presenter, Day in the Life of Corporate Lawyer, Litigator's Perspective, Colorado Supreme Court Attorney Mentoring Program, Law, 2022
  • Moderated roundtable discussion with leaders of the various diversity bars concerning the recently adopted Colorado EDI CLE ethics requirement, and efforts to increase diversity and inclusivity amongst the Litigation Section and at private law firms., Moderator, CBA Litigation Section's Diversity Bar Roundtable Presentation, CBA/CLE, Legal Professionals, 2021
  • Update on anticipated government enforcement priorities for 2022, Author, What to Expect Regarding Regulatory and Enforcement Priorities, ColoradoBiz, Business, 2021
  • Authored chapter on statutory and case law developments and trends in the law of privilege in Colorado., Author, "Privilege and Disqualification," Evidence in Colorado: A Practical Guide, Third Ed. 2020, CBA/CLE, Legal Professionals, 2021
  • Article outlined Colorado's legal landscape and trends surrounding private businesses' efforts to contractually limit and otherwise prevent liability exposure arising from clients and customers' contraction of Covid-19., Quoted, Liability Waivers Offer Protection as Businesses Reopen, Law Week Colorado, 2020
  • Mr. Ritchie virtually presented at the Colorado Bar Association's annual Business Law Institute. The four-day event was co-sponsored by the CBA’s business and taxation law sections. Ritchie shared his litigator perspective in a panel presentation, “What Business Lawyers Do That Litigators Love” He was joined on the panel by litigation partners from Davis Graham & Stubbs, Faegre Drinker, and LS Pozner., Faculty Presenter, What Business Lawyers Do That Litigators Love, CBA-CLE Business Law Institute, 2020
  • Mr. Ritchie chaired the Planning Committee for the 3rd Annual Colorado Litigators Summit and moderated the Law Firm Leaders Presentation on managing law firms and the Colorado Department of Law through the new Covid-19 normal., Program Chair and Faculty Moderator, Living and Leading in 2020 and Beyond: Safely Leading Your Partners, Employees, and Clients in the New Covid-19 Normal, and Lessons Learned Over the Last 6 Months. Insights from Denver Thought Leaders, CBA-CLE Colorado Litigators' Summit, 2020
  • Article summarized Colorado's legal landscape and trends surrounding private businesses' efforts to contractually limit and otherwise prevent liability exposure arising from clients and customers' contraction of Covid-19., Co-Author, Using Waivers of Liability to Protect Your Business During COVID" Colorado Bar Association Business Law Section Newsletter, CBA Business Law Section Newsletter, May 2020, 2020
  • Mr. Ritchie virtually presented on the ethical rules, issues, and pitfalls attendant to practicing law from home or from other remote locations and implications on attorney-client privilege., Faculty Presenter, The Ethics of Working Remotely, Colorado Bar Association Litigation Section Virtual Program, 2020
  • Mr. Ritchie was interviewed on the national and state legal landscape and trends surrounding private businesses' efforts to contractually limit and otherwise prevent liability exposure arising from clients and customers' contraction of Covid-19., Quoted, Will Liability Waivers Protect Businesses From COVID-19 Lawsuits?, NPR Marketplace, 2020
  • Presented with Colorado's recently appointed Securities Commissioner Tung Chan on the Commissioner’s prior experiences in blockchain and as Securities Commissioner in Hawaii, her transition into the Commissioner role here in Colorado, aspirations she may have for the Division under her leadership, and any regulatory or enforcement focuses that she presently anticipates. The program was geared towards transactional, compliance, and enforcement defense practitioners and highlighted recent developments in the law and their potential impacts on the Division and the Securities Subsection’s members’ practices., Co-Presenter, Introducing Commissioner Chan: A Discussion with Colorado's New Securities Commissioner, CBA/CLE, Securities Bar, And Financial Services Industries, 2020
  • Authored chapter on statutory and case law developments and trends in the law of privilege in Colorado., Author, "Privilege and Disqualification," Evidence in Colorado: A Practical Guide, Second Ed. 2019, CBA/CLE, 2019
  • Presented litigator’s perspective on books and records best practices for promoting management’s entrepreneurial vision while still limiting exposure and ensuring transparency., Faculty Presenter, Business Books and Records - Best Practices and Avoiding Litigation Risk, CBA, CLE Business Law Institute, State And Local Business Law Practitioners, 2019
  • Participated on panel consisting of the District of Colorado’s First Assistant U.S. Attorney, Matthew T. Kirsch, the SEC’s Regional Trial Counsel, Gregory A. Kasper, and Davis & Ceriani’s Managing Partner, Valeri Pappas, in presenting interactive session focused on tools and guidance to navigate complex ethical issues that arise in transactional, administrative, and litigation practices.    , Faculty Presenter, Ethics on the Silver Screen, CBA/CLE Ethics 7.0, Local And State Transactional Counsel, Trial Lawyers And Judges, 2019
  • Moderated Q&A-styled presentation with DRO Regional Director, Kurt Gottschall, geared towards transactional, compliance, and enforcement defense practitioners.  The presentation covered Regional Director Kurt Gottschall's views on the priorities and focus of both OCIE and the Division of Enforcement, and highlighted recent developments in the federal securities law and impacts on the SEC and the Securities Subsection's members' practices, Moderator, CBA Securities Law Subsection Check-In with SEC Regional Director, CBA/CLE, Securities Lawyers., Financial Services, 2019
  • Moderated panel consisting of Senior Judge Ossola of the 9th Judicial District, Judge Timbreza of the 21st Judicial District, Retired Judge Hearn Croshall of the 10th Judicial District, and Phil Chupik of the Metier Law Firm to discuss best practices and pitfalls for connecting with non-metro jurors and judges, Program Chair and Faculty Moderator, Knowing Your Audience: Trying Your Case Outside of Metro-Denver, Colorado Bar Association, CLE Litigators' Summit, State And Local Trial Lawyers And Judges, 2019
  • Presented on panel highlighting unique professional and ethical issues faced by lawyers in the securities industry., Faculty Presenter, Rocky Mountain Securities Conference, Ethical Issues for Securities Industry Professionals, SEC & CBA/CLE, Securities, Financial Institutions, Publicly Traded Companies, 2019
  • Tenth Circuit Issues Precedential Opinion Affirming Rigorous Nature of Judicial Review of Demand Futility Allegations in High-Profile Shareholder-Derivative Action. The decision is welcome news for companies and corporate boards, as it shows courts will generally force shareholders to pursue their complaints through proper corporate channels, rather than proceeding with expensive litigation in court., Co-author, Tenth Circuit Issues Precedential Opinion Affirming Rigorous Nature of Judicial Review of Demand Futility Allegations In High-Profile Shareholder-Derivative Action, Law360, 2019
  • Colorado Evidence Handbook is a user-friendly, reliable reference that will answer all of your evidentiary questions! Written by Victoria Swanson, one of Colorado's leading trial attorneys and former president of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, this book contains comprehensive analysis of the Colorado and Federal Rules of Evidence, with more than 1,100 case citations and dozens of practice pointers. It will help attorneys prepare a case for trial and quickly find the point needed for a motion in limine. During trial, this book will help attorneys quickly find the controlling point of law on an evidentiary issue. This book contains discussions about the Colorado Rules of Evidence, the relationships between different rules (and between the rules and statutes), and how the Colorado rules compare to the federal rules.  , Contributing Author, Evidence in Colorado: A Practical Guide (2018 1st ed.), Colorado Bar Association, 2018
  • Presented on panel highlighted the unique ethical issues faced by securities lawyers and securities industry professionals, and recent developments in the law impacting the same, Faculty Presenter, Rocky Mountain Securities Conference, Ethical Issues for Securities Industry Professionals, SEC & CBA/CLE, Securities Bar And Securities Professionals, 2018
  • Moderated presentation by the State's top trial lawyers and trial judges on the best practices for maintaining professionalism and civility in highly adversarial situations, Program Co-Chair and Faculty Presenter, Colorado Litigators' Summit, "Maintaining Civility in the Most Heated of Situations", CBA/CLE, Colorado Legal Professionals, 2018
  • Authored chapter on Privilege and Disqualification for publication in Evidence in Colorado: A Practical Guide, Author, "Privilege and Disqualification," Evidence in Colorado: A Practical Guide, First Ed. 2018, CBA/CLE, State Legal Professionals, 2018
  • Presented litigator's perspective on panel discussion regarding the formation, operations, and dissolution of Limited Liabiliyt Companies under Colorado Law, Faculty Presenter, The Life and Death of an LLC: Formation, Operations, and Dissolution (a Litigator’s Perspective on LLC Divorce), CBA/CLE Business Law Institute, State Legal Professionals, 2016
  • Moderated presentation by group of experienced General Counsel on their views of the challenges and risks faced by public companies in 2016 and 2017, Moderator, Hot Topics for Public Companies in 2016: The General Counsel’s Perspective, CBA/CLE, Publicly Traded Companies, 2016
  • Presented on best practices for risk mitigation and triage when faced by an SEC examination or private investigation, Faculty Presenter, What to Do If the SEC Comes Knocking, Denver Business Journal - Managing Enterprise Risk for Your Company, Business, 2015
  • Civil Litigation for Young Lawyers, Panelist, Civil Litigation for Young Lawyers, DBA YLD, Civil Litigators, 2014
Industry Groups:
  • Compliance Professionals
  • DeFi
  • Directors
  • Financial Institutions
  • Fintech
  • Officers
  • Principals
  • Traditional Finance

Office location for Lucas T. Ritchie

370 Seventeenth Street
Suite 4500
Denver, CO 80202

Selections

8 Years Super Lawyers
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  • Super Lawyers: 2018 - 2025
  • Rising Stars: 2009 - 2017

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