- J.D., Loyola Law School - Chicago, cum laude, Lead Articles Editor, Loyola Law Journal
- B.A., University of Colorado
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- Colorado
Tom Snyder has more than 30 years of commercial litigation experience, with an emphasis on breach of contract, business torts, and intellectual property matters. Tom has represented some of the largest corporations in Colorado, as well as mid-size and start-ups. Clients value Tom for his efficient, results-oriented litigation style and his substantial trial experience.
Tom is well-known for public finance and other municipal litigation. He was lead counsel in successfully defending the City of Aurora, Colorado in several highly publicized legal challenges seeking to enjoin the financing of the Gaylord of the Rockies Convention Center and Hotel. He has represented other cities, counties, urban renewal authorities, school districts, and bondholders against constitutional and statutory challenges to the financing of hundreds of millions of dollars intended for public development projects. He also has represented public entities in complex contract, eminent domain, construction, ballot issue, TABOR, and election contest lawsuits. Clients have included the municipalities of Aurora, Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Greeley, Brighton, Loveland, Pueblo, and Creede, as well as the Colorado Department of Transportation, Poudre School District, the Aurora Urban Renewal Authority, and the City of Albuquerque. Valued for his experience in government matters, Tom currently serves as hearing officer for the Aspen Pitkin County Housing Authority (APCHA).
Tom has tried more than 50 cases to decision. He has obtained several multimillion-dollar judgments and settlements, and successfully defended many companies against multimillion-dollar breach of contract, statutory, and tort claims. In 2013, Law Week Colorado named Tom a “Lawyer of the Year."
Tom also is the founder and chairman of the nonprofit Colorado Poverty Law Project (CPLP), which provides free legal representation to the disadvantaged through a staff of over 20 lawyers and professional employees; see copovertylawproject.org. Tom dedicates a substantial portion of his time to supporting CPLP’s staff and mission, and he represents many clients in pro bono cases each year.
Tom is well-known for public finance and other municipal litigation. He was lead counsel in successfully defending the City of Aurora, Colorado in several highly publicized legal challenges seeking to enjoin the financing of the Gaylord of the Rockies Convention Center and Hotel. He has represented other cities, counties, urban renewal authorities, school districts, and bondholders against constitutional and statutory challenges to the financing of hundreds of millions of dollars intended for public development projects. He also has represented public entities in complex contract, eminent domain, construction, ballot issue, TABOR, and election contest lawsuits. Clients have included the municipalities of Aurora, Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Greeley, Brighton, Loveland, Pueblo, and Creede, as well as the Colorado Department of Transportation, Poudre School District, the Aurora Urban Renewal Authority, and the City of Albuquerque. Valued for his experience in government matters, Tom currently serves as hearing officer for the Aspen Pitkin County Housing Authority (APCHA).
Tom has tried more than 50 cases to decision. He has obtained several multimillion-dollar judgments and settlements, and successfully defended many companies against multimillion-dollar breach of contract, statutory, and tort claims. In 2013, Law Week Colorado named Tom a “Lawyer of the Year."
Tom also is the founder and chairman of the nonprofit Colorado Poverty Law Project (CPLP), which provides free legal representation to the disadvantaged through a staff of over 20 lawyers and professional employees; see copovertylawproject.org. Tom dedicates a substantial portion of his time to supporting CPLP’s staff and mission, and he represents many clients in pro bono cases each year.
Publications
-
"Putting A Price On Dirt: The Need For Better-Defined Limits On Government Fees For Use Of The Public Rights-Of-Way Under Section 253 Of The Telecommunications Act Of 1996," Vol. 64, FED. COMM. L. J., 137.
-
"Green Building Regulations Duel in Court," Law Week Colorado, April 2010 (author)
Speaking Engagements
-
"Broadband Market Analysis, Franchising and Antitrust Issues – Regulatory, Legal and Industry Challenges," CLE International Telecommunications Law Seminar, Denver, CO, December 2012
-
"Franchising and Rights-of-Way – Regulatory Issues," CLE International Telecommunications Law Seminar, Denver, CO, December 2011
Community Involvement
- Colorado Poverty Law Project, Founder and boardmember, (2015-present)
- Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Boardmember, (2008-2015)
Telecommunications
- Obtained a defense verdict for a telecommunications carrier following a jury trial on a $193 million breach of contract claim filed by a city in New Mexico federal court.
- Obtained an injunction on behalf of a telecommunications carrier following a bench trial in New Mexico federal court, permanently enjoining a city from enforcing unlawful telecommunications ordinance pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 253.
- In a heavily contested proceeding, obtained approval from the Colorado Public Utilities Commission of an application for $5 million to build out a carrier’s basic emergency service network.
- Obtained an injunction on behalf of a telecommunications carrier from the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, permanently enjoining a city from enforcing unlawful telecommunications ordinance pursuant to state law.
- Obtained a full defense decision from the Louisiana Court of Appeals in a lawsuit filed by a city seeking over $9 million in franchise fees.
- Received agreements from cities in Oregon, Iowa, and New Mexico, following separate lawsuits, to rescind ordinances imposing unlawful requirements, fees, and taxes on telecommunications carriers.
- Obtained judgments for a large telecommunications carrier following bench trials in Maryland and Oregon, refunding overpaid franchise fees and taxes.
- Obtained a dismissal of a breach of contract claim filed against a large telecommunications carrier with the Nebraska Public Service Commission.
Energy
- Obtained full defense awards, and a large award on counterclaims, for a Colorado ethanol producer following two successful arbitrations of breach of contract claims brought by a railroad carrier.
- Obtained dismissal of oil company from class action challenging drug testing.
- Obtained a full-dollar settlement payment for a natural gas processor in a measurement dispute concerning natural gas liquid.
Public Finance and Municipal Matters
- Successfully defended the City of Aurora, Colorado in several lawsuits and appeals challenging the public financing of the $820 million Gaylord Hotel project.
- Obtained decision from Colorado Supreme Court in favor of bondholder in taxpayer case challenging TABOR election for metro district taxes.
- Successfully defended the City of Loveland, City of Aurora, and the Poudre School District in ballot issue and election contests to public financing ballot issues.
- Represented City of Denver in quieting title to land obtained through condemnation for use by the Denver International Airport.
- Represented City of Boulder in defeating TABOR lawsuit challenging bonds issued for stormwater project.
- Represented City of Greeley in obtaining favorable settlement in construction defect case.
- Super Lawyers® 2021
- Law Week Colorado, Lawyer of the Year
- Colorado Lawyers Committee, Task Force of the Year, 2010
- Colorado Lawyers Committee, Task Force of the Year, 2007
We use cookies on our website. To learn more about cookies, how we use them and how to revise your cookie settings, please see our terms of use. By continuing to use this site you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
VIEW STATEMENT