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
