Mr. Ricotta practices in the areas of commercial transactions and business law. He represents start-up, family-owned, small, and large organizations, public and private, with a focus on the following:
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The purchase and sale of businesses, equity interests, and assets.
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The drafting and negotiation of commercial contracts.
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The purchase, sale, lease, development, management, and financing of commercial real estate, covenant controlled properties, and related projects.
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The establishment of new business entities and ventures, including within the framework of existing corporate structures.
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Management-side employment matters.
Education
Mr. Ricotta obtained his J.D. degree cum laude (top 25%) from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law in 1990, where he served as Editor in Chief of the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, earned a spot on the Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Team and a top oralist award at regionals, received the Wigmore Prize for Excellence in Publication, and was selected by the Dean as an Edwin C. Austin Scholar based on scholarship and conduct in and out of class.
Mr. Ricotta obtained his B.S. degree with high honors (top 1%) in Chemical Engineering and Petroleum Refining from the Colorado School of Mines in 1987. A Boettcher Foundation Scholar, he received the William D. Waltman ’99 Award upon graduation, presented to “the student whose conduct and scholarship have been most nearly perfect and who has most nearly approached the recognized characteristics of an American gentleman.”
Experience
Mr. Ricotta brings a unique perspective to his law practice, having been promoted to equity partner of a prominent Rocky Mountain law firm early in his career and subsequently to roles of increasing responsibility at a Texas-based independent energy company, where he served as senior counsel in negotiating the purchase and sale of assets and interests, worked as lead business counsel for an operating region, served as an executive officer, led the company’s worldwide litigation and human resources departments, and supervised the corporate compliance and community partner functions. Mr. Ricotta draws upon his practical, real-world leadership experiences to assist the firm’s clients in developing effective business strategies.
See Mr. Ricotta's LinkedIn profile for details.
Bar Memberships
Mr. Ricotta is a member of the Colorado Bar Association, the El Paso County (Colorado) Bar Association, and the State Bar of Texas. A Colorado native, Mr. Ricotta co-founded and served as the inaugural chair of the Colorado Springs Teen Court, for which he received the El Paso County Auxiliary community service award.
Phone: (719) 635-8750
Legal Assistant: Elise Reis
Delivering Excellence
When you choose Mulliken Law, you're receiving excellent legal representation.
"Nick Ricotta has demonstrated a wide range of knowledge in contracts, governance and organizational structure, insurance and real estate enabling our companies to quickly address opportunities in our business dealings. Nick’s insights, always prompt and thorough in response to our changing business interests, gives us an edge in negotiations, purchase and sale opportunities, leasing, and addressing an array of contractual issues.”
Rob Oldach, Owner/Development
Colorado Structures, Inc.
"Over the past couple of years, we have worked with Mulliken Weiner Berg and Jolivet on matters ranging from litigation to contract law to asset planning. Their work ethic, attention to detail, and dedication to our needs have been outstanding. We’ve been consistently impressed by the quality of their work and the results they deliver. Moving forward, we will continue to trust MWB&J with of all our legal matters."
Mike and Rich Kwesell, Owners
Strawberry Fields
“For 20+ years and counting we’ve comfortably relied on MWBJ to advise Classic Homes. Nick and the whole firm provide excellent service, counsel, and attentiveness to our business. They understand our unique challenges and employ a collaborative process to find the best solutions.”
Nate Lenz, Corporate Counsel
Classic Homes
“It was a pleasure working with Nick Ricotta, from start to finish. He asks exactly the right questions, truly listens to the answers, then applies his decades of business law experience and outstanding communication skills, to efficiently reach an equitable outcome. He is unflappable. His counsel consistently brought calm, reason and understanding to an otherwise stressful and unfamiliar process.”
Dr. Farrel K. VanWagenen, MD
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Nick and I couldn’t be happier with the recommendation that brought me to him. He’s a business law attorney with a wealth of experience that has proven invaluable. Nick gets straight to the point, cutting through legal jargon and focusing on what really matters. His practical, no-nonsense approach is refreshing and rare to find. He’s been instrumental in guiding me through several complex situations with ease. Nick is a great asset to have in your corner. I recommend him to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, straightforward business attorney."
Jeff Thorp, Business Owner
“Nick Ricotta is world-class. He is efficient. He thinks strategically. He is not afraid to be unconventional, yet he is detailed-oriented. As a result, he constantly wins. In a decade with him, working cases around the world, I have seen he is as bright as they come. He is a courteous, decent human being – not always the trait of lawyers.”