Ryan J. Klein

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

Ryan has a multidisciplinary practice, 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. During projects, he provides guidance on disputes and claims. When these arise, he helps clients navigate negotiations, mediations, arbitrations, and litigation.

Ryan also advises government contractors through the complex, ever-evolving government regulatory landscape. He brings years of experience in assisting clients with 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. Given that disputes can often hinge on a single word, Ryan works closely with his government contract clients to negotiate and draft subcontracts, teaming agreements, joint venture agreements, and mentor-protégé agreements.

When negotiations and mediations fall short, Ryan represents clients in litigation before federal and state courts, as well as in arbitrations. He has successfully represented owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in federal and state courts and arbitrations. He has also represented government contractors before the U.S. 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 evident in his work with trade associations, advocating for changes to existing laws and regulations and supporting new legislation. He is also actively involved in construction and government contracts through roles on boards and committees of several prominent trade associations. As a recognized thought leader, Ryan frequently presents on construction and government contract topics, sharing his insights through speaking and writing engagements.

• 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.

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