Aaron Bakken
Founding Partner
Email: abakken@johnsonbakken.com
Phone: (720) 921-2070
Background
Mr. Bakken’s practice focuses on commercial litigation, specifically he has been immersed in construction defect litigation from the outset of his legal career in 2006. Aaron represents owners, municipalities, developers, design professionals, general contractors, subcontractors, homeowners associations and residential home property owners through trials and arbitrations in many jurisdictions throughout the country. His cases involve a variety of construction projects, such as commercial, public works and mixed use. He understands his clients’ unique perspectives in the building process. As a natural outgrowth of this work, clients frequently ask him to draft and revise construction contracts and service agreements. Mr. Bakken also focuses on defending automobile accident-related claims, most of which include claims of traumatic brain injury.
Mr. Bakken’s practice also consists of transactional work including commercial leases review, real estate contract and title policy review, real estate financing, ad valorem taxation and lien negotiation. He also has significant experience assisting clients with the acquisition and sale of business entities, including drafting asset purchase agreements and all other related transfer documents.
Aaron leads the Construction Litigation department, and his advocacy has resulted in millions of dollars saved and recovered on behalf of his clients in Colorado, Texas, Washington, Arizona, California, and Illinois.
Mr. Bakken’s Legal Experience includes:
- Participated in Texas arbitration involving $30 million claim for construction defects to more than 700 family apartment units in multiple complexes.
- Served on trial team that won a $3 million jury verdict for the operator of an aircraft parts business in action that once arose out of the collapse of a hangar.
- Served on a trial team that prevailed in the jury trial of a partnership dispute.
- Successfully defended developer and general contractor multi-million dollar litigation against construction defect claims brought by members of a homeowners association in Aurora, Colorado.
- Defended plumbing subcontractor against construction defect claims brought by homeowners association wherein plaintiff sought in excess of $1 million in damages. Plumbing subcontractor settled the matter for $15,000.
- Successfully pursued, and was awarded, $2.2 million judgment against a Vail, Colorado developer for construction defects to a Breckenridge, Colorado ranch property.
- Achieved a $500,000 judgment against an international insurer for insurance bad faith related to a property damage claim.
- Defended a Chicago general contractor at a trial for claims brought by homeowner’s association alleging construction delay and breach of contract.
- Assisted several Illinois contractors at trial in the mechanic’s lien forclosure actions.
Memberships & Professional Affiliations:
- American, Colorado and Arapahoe Bar Associations
Articles & Publications:
- Commercial Transportation Litigation Journal – American Bar Association; Damages Compendium for Wyoming, 2014.
Education
- Juris Doctor, 2005, University of Denver, Sturm College of Law
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics, Saint Cloud University, 2001
Court Admissions
- State and Federal Courts in Colorado and Illinois
- Western District of Texas Federal Court
- United States District Court – Eastern Michigan District
- Muscogee Nation Tribal Court
Other team Members
James Johnson
Founding Partner
Ryan Greely
Founding Partner
Josh Smith
Founding Partner
Jack Hardwick
Senior Associate
Steven Phillips
Special Counsel
Let Our Legal Team Help You With Your Case
If you need a team of legal professionals with experience in complex litigation cases, Johnson Bakken Greely Smith, P.C. is here for you. Let us help you navigate the legal process and achieve success. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.