Greenberg Traurig Expands Franchise and Distribution Practice

DENVER – June 5, 2019 –Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP’s Denver office has added prominent Colorado trial attorney Steven M. Kelso as a shareholder in the Franchise and Distribution and Global Litigation Practices. Kelso, who joins the firm from Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell, LLP, defends motor vehicle manufactures/distributors and franchisors in disputes with their dealers and franchisees, and advises clients on dealer network and distribution issues.

“Steve is a talented trial attorney who has delivered precedent-setting arguments that have shaped franchise and related commercial law throughout the country. He enhances our robust Franchise and Distribution Practice and we are excited to welcome him,” said Alan R. Greenfield and David W. Oppenheim, who co-chair the firm’s Franchise and Distribution Practice.

“Steve’s impressive experience as a litigator—including in the U.S. Air Force—strengthens our existing capabilities and allows us to continue delivering high-quality results for our clients,” said Denver Managing Shareholder David G. Palmer.

Kelso is a commercial litigator with considerable trial experience. With deep experience in pre-litigation dealer network counseling, he also represents his clients in various state and federal courts, before administrative agencies, and on appeal. His appellate experience includes preserving motor vehicle manufacturers’ and distributors’ ability to enforce ligation waivers in the face of anti-waiver statutes. His clients span a range of industries, including automotive, trucking, consumer services, and health care.

Kelso develops litigation strategies with his clients’ legal and business goals in mind. He goes beyond traditional representation to create tailored, innovative narratives to effectively demonstrate to judges and juries how his clients’ businesses work. As a result, he has defended companies and franchisors against lawsuits attacking their business models.

He began his legal career by serving in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps. While in the Air Force, he tried more than 30 jury trials and served as lead trial counsel and supervising attorney on a range of complex jury trials. He earned his J.D. cum laude, from Notre Dame Law School, and his B.S. from University of Colorado at Boulder.

“Greenberg Traurig’s outstanding reputation for high quality work, a collaborative culture, and broad spectrum of practices were crucial factors in drawing me here,” Kelso said. “I look forward to collaborating with the firm’s global network of attorneys and participating in the growth of the practice and Denver office.”

About Greenberg Traurig’s Litigation Practice: Greenberg Traurig’s Litigation Practice includes a team of more than 600 attorneys. The firm’s trial lawyers regularly appear in state and federal courts throughout the country, as well as in appellate courts and before international arbitration panels. They work closely with in-house counsel to develop a strategy that best fits a litigation cost and proficiency model appropriate to the client’s unique needs and goals.

About Greenberg Traurig’s Franchise & Distribution Practice: Greenberg Traurig’s Franchise & Distribution Practice represents domestic and international mature and emerging franchisors, licensors, and distributors in all aspects of their businesses. With franchise and distribution-focused transactional, regulatory, M&A, and litigation experience, the team has a thorough understanding of the legal and business issues involving franchise, license, and distribution companies.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has more than 2,000 attorneys in 39 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law.