Timeline

1968

Firm Founded

After graduating from the University of Colorado’s law school, childhood friends Norm Brownstein, Steve Farber and Jack Hyatt open the doors of Brownstein Hyatt & Farber. From day one, the founders utilized their legal acumen, networking and community-building skills to grow their firm.

1971

California Water Law

Stanley Hatch, one of the founding members of Hatch & Parent, takes on the South Coast of Santa Barbara County representing the Santa Ynez Valley in the struggle over apportionment

1971

Nevada Gaming Commission

Frank Schreck joins the Nevada Gaming Commission at age 27.

1977

Reputation for Real Estate Law

1987

Powerbrokers

The Rocky Mountain News describes Norm Brownstein and Steve Farber as “Powerbrokers” for the first time based on their influence and work on political and business fronts in Denver.

1988

Firm Name Change

The firm’s name changes to Brownstein Hyatt Farber & Madden.

1991

Jack Hyatt Retires

Named partner Jack Hyatt retires to spend more time with his family after serving as the firm’s managing partner for 23 years.

1992

Central Platte Valley

The firm begins assisting Trillium Corp. for many years with its acquisition and sale of 50 acres of land between Union Station and the Platte River.

1992

Firm Name Change

The firm’s name changes to Brownstein Hyatt Farber & Strickland. In 1998, Tom Strickland is appointed U.S. Attorney by President Bill Clinton and the firm’s name returns to Brownstein Hyatt & Farber.

1994

DIA and United Airlines

Our work helps shape the development of the new Denver International Airport, including working to secure $500 million in funding for construction and negotiating United Airlines’ lease at the new airport.

1995

D.C. Office Opens

Building off Norm Brownstein and the firm’s advocacy efforts around the U.S.-Israel relationship, the firm opens an office in Washington, D.C., starting out with a cramped office space, a few employees and one client.

1996

Telecom Act of 1996

The firm helps the cable industry win a major victory in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which paves the way for innovations such as broadband.

1997

Pepsi Center and Nuggets

Our attorneys lead ASCENT Entertainment Group, former owner of the Denver Nuggets NBA franchise and the Colorado Avalanche NHL franchise, in negotiations with the city of Denver to finance and build the Pepsi Center—completing the first non-recourse financing of a sports franchise.

1998

Mile High Stadium

The firm plays a critical role in the development of a new stadium for the Denver Broncos, including modifying legislation and negotiating agreements with the city to get the Broncos out of a long-term lease at Mile High Stadium.

1999

Supreme Court Win

The firm’s first successful case in the U.S. Supreme Court is Sutton v. United Airlines. Lisa Hogan wins at every stage for United and the case is referenced as “the most important ADA case that the Supreme Court has yet decided.”

2002

Mark F. Leonard Scholarship

The firm establishes the Mark F. Leonard Scholarship Program, a four-year scholarship awarded to a staff member’s child each year.

2003

Albuquerque Office Opens

Our Albuquerque office opens with four attorneys to serve the needs of clients doing work in New Mexico.

2003

Bruce James Named Managing Partner

The firm names Bruce James as managing partner. Previously, Jack Hyatt served as managing partner until 1991, and from 1991-2003, the firm had a committee-based management structure.

2005

American Transplant Foundation

Steve Farber founds the American Transplant Foundation following a kidney transplant from his son.

2006

TREX and E-470 Corridor

The firm serves as counsel to developers of the E-470 Public Highway and the T-REX Project, Denver’s primary highway-light-rail corridor.

2006

Karma Volunteer Program

After decades of giving back to the community, the firm formalizes its community relations program with the creation of the Karma Program and Committee.

2007

Merger with Schreck Brignone

Merger with the Las Vegas-based law firm of Schreck Brignone to become Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. Led by Frank Schreck, the firm brings a notable list of high-profile gaming clients with it.

2007

Pinnacle Building

The firm is involved in the building of The Pinnacle at City Park South, a winner of NAIOP’s Development of the Year, and another example of the role of the firm in the revitalization and urban renewal of Denver.

2008

Merger with Hatch & Parent

Merger with California law firm Hatch & Parent creating one of the largest water practices in the country and adds five offices in California.

2008

DNC

Steve Farber serves as co-chair and a member of the executive committee responsible for bringing the 2008 Democratic National Convention to Denver.

2008

Firm Doubles in Size

The firm experiences unprecedented growth, doubling in size in four years due to the addition of new talent and the mergers with Schreck Brignone and Hatch & Parent.

2009

AmLaw Top 200 and Top 10 Lobbying Firm

American Lawyer names the firm to the list of top 200 highest-grossing law firms in the U.S., and the firm is included for the first time in the list of top 10 lobbying firms based on federal lobbying revenue.

2009

The Streets at SouthGlenn

Alberta Development Partners turns to the firm for comprehensive legal representation and strategic counsel as they moved to redevelop, and revitalize, the once bustling Southglenn Mall.

2012

Atlantic City Office Opens

The firm opens Atlantic City office, giving the firm an East Coast hub to complement its Las Vegas gaming practice.

2012

Union Station

Denver's Union Station redevelopment project is the nexus of public/private partnerships, real estate and hospitality law. Brownstein serves as legal counsel to the Union Station Alliance, the development and investment group responsible for the station’s redevelopment.

2012

Pro Bono

The firm formalizes its Pro Bono Program and establishes a Pro Bono Partner to lead the program. The firm averages more than 12,000 pro bono hours each year.

2013

Adam Agron and Ellen Schulhofer Named Co-Managing Partners

Adam Agron and Ellen Schulhofer are named co-managing partners of the firm after Bruce James steps down to return to his full-time real estate practice.

2013

Expansion of IP Practice

Brownstein invests in building its Intellectual Property Group with the addition of more than 15 professionals throughout the year given the important role intellectual property law plays in the U.S. economy now and in the future.

2015

Merger with Watson Rounds

Merger expands the capabilities of the firm’s Intellectual Property practice, making it one of the largest IP departments based in the Mountain West.

2017

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

The firm plays an important role in advocating for some of the most important changes to the U.S. tax code in 30 years.

2018

50th Anniversary

Celebrating the first 50 years and those who contributed to the firm’s journey; looking ahead to the next 50 years of providing successful legal and legislative solutions for our clients.

2019

No. 1 Lobbying Firm

Brownstein has been a top 10 lobbying firm for a decade and in 2019 we earned our first No. 1 place on the list of federal lobbying firms, based on revenue.

2019

Rich Benenson Named Managing Partner

Rich Benenson is named managing partner of the firm after Ellen Schulhofer and Adam Agron step down from the role to return to their full-time practices.

2020

First Chair of Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Named

Shareholder Ali Metzl named first chair of diversity, inclusion and equity.

2020

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act

Our Government Relations team worked to secure funding in the historic $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to facilitate needed relief for businesses and our economy.

2021

American Rescue Plan Act

Building on the work our Government Relations team did on the CARES Act, we secured additional funding in 2021 in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to strengthen the government’s investment in our resurging economy.