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Craig R. May

Partner

P. 303.244.1862 | F. 303.244.1879

Biography

Craig May has appeared in litigation in 28 states, and his clients range from Fortune 500 pharmaceutical and medical device firms to leading ski resorts to independent oil and gas companies. Craig’s practice involves product liability, mass torts, personal injury, employment, and complex commercial disputes.

From building winning trial themes to identifying favorable resolution strategies to defending big decisions on appeal, Craig truly appreciates collaborating with clients to address litigation and business challenges. His clients include renowned ski areas, midsized and large oil and gas companies, and nationwide pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Across this dynamic range of industries, Craig has developed a reputation as being quick to learn his clients' businesses and priorities.

In addition to his extensive trial and arbitration experience, Craig has authored appellate briefs in numerous state and federal courts of appeals as well as the United States Supreme Court.

Cases

Product Liability

Oil & Gas

  • Won an arbitration ruling for $2.9 million, including punitive damages, for an investment fund misled into overpaying for an oil field services company based on misrepresentations made during the sale and omissions made during settlement negotiations regarding the sale.
  • Won a victory in the Colorado Court of Appeals for Continental Resources in a dispute involving purported rights to a Colorado oil and gas lease.
  • Prevailed in a preliminary injunction hearing in a dispute over a valuable lease farmout relating to a successful oil shale well in Wyoming for a large regional energy company.
  • Represented a natural gas company in a complex contract dispute involving production from a large gas field in Wyoming; the case was favorably resolved before trial.
  • Obtained a favorable jury trial result for a natural gas gathering company in a case involving allegations of breach of a gas purchase contract.
  • Won a commercial arbitration that sought a buyout of client's multimillion dollar interest in a nationwide petroleum marketing joint venture.

Ski & Recreation

  • Won a motion to dismiss for a ski resort in a personal injury case in Colorado state court. The plaintiff brought claims of willful and wanton conduct and false imprisonment based on a serious injury he sustained during a ski lesson.
  • Won a defense verdict in a highly public, multi-week jury trial alleging a wrongful death claim against a recreation industry client following the tragic death of a minor. Successfully defended the appeal.
  • Won summary judgment for a leading ski resort operator in a ski lift injury case.
  • Won dismissal of a case alleging injury as a result of tubing hill operations at a Colorado ski area.
  • Advise recreation clients on industry-specific issues.
  • Obtained dismissal for a leading ski resort in a case in which the plaintiff sought extensive pre-suit discovery.

Commercial Litigation

Employment

Pro Bono

  • Submitted an amicus brief for a coalition of religious organizations in Taxpayers for Public Education v. Douglas County School District. The Colorado Supreme Court adopted the position urged in the brief. The coalition included the Anti-Defamation League, the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Disciples Justice Action Network, Equal Partners in Faith, Hadassah, the Hindu American Foundation, and the Union for Reform Judaism.
  • Submitted an amicus brief for the Main Street Business Alliance to the Colorado Court of Appeals in the highly publicized case, Masterpiece Bakery v. Craig, which tested the limits of Colorado's antidiscrimination law. The Court of Appeals backed the position urged in the amicus brief.

Other Representative Experience

Publications & Speaking Engagements

  • Presenter, "Recreation Litigation: Colorado," CDLA webinar, (July 16, 2018).
  • Presenter, "Ethics, Social Media, and You," The Association for Corporate Counsel, Colorado Chapter, (December 4, 2013).
  • "Current Regulatory and Enforcement Issues and Their Impacts on the Medical Device Industry," Moderator, American Bar Association Drug & Medical Device Seminar, (November 16, 2012).
  • Presenter, Hot Topics in Medical Device Litigation," ABA Seminar on Current Issues in Medical Device Litigation, (October 1, 2007).
  • "Taking Action: Rejecting the Passive Disposal Theory of Prior Owner Liability Under CERCLA," 17 Va. Envtl. L.J. 385, (January 1998).

Legal Memberships, Activities, and Honors

The Best Lawyers in America
    Denver Product Liability Litigation Lawyer of the Year, 2015
    Commercial Litigation, 2018-2024
    Insurance Litigation, 2016-2024
    Personal Injury Litigation, 2013-2024
    Product Liability Litigation, 2013-2024
The Legal 500 United States
    Litigation: Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense, 2011
Colorado Super Lawyers
    Business Litigation, 2010-2023
    Top 100, 2013-2018, 2021-2023
Colorado Rising Stars
    Business Litigation, 2009
Benchmark Litigation
    Local Litigation Star, Colorado, 2018, 2020-2024   
    Future Star - Colorado, 2013
Martindale-Hubbell AV® Peer Review Rated
American Bar Association
Colorado Bar Association
Denver Bar Association
Defense Research Institute
Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
Association of Ski Defense Attorneys
    Board of Directors
International Association of Defense Counsel
Judge William E. Doyle American Inn of Court
   Executive Committee Member
   Past President, 2014-2015

Community Memberships, Activities, and Honors

National Ski Areas Association, Member
Public Education and Business Coalition 
    Board Member
    Catalyst Advisory Group, Member
Leadership Denver Program
    Graduate, 2010
Denver Business Journal's Forty Under 40, 2008
Internet Safety Foundation
    Founding Member and Treasurer

Teaching Positions

University of Tulsa School of Law
    Constitutional Law II, Lecturer

Personal Interests

Family, golf, skiing, hiking, and politics

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