Michael “Mickey” Ley

blue line
Mickey

Services

Michael “Mickey” Ley

Mickey is a trial lawyer who represents businesses and individuals in all forms of commercial disputes, including construction, suretyship, landlord/tenant, officer and director liability, company ownership, employment, wage and hour, trade secrets, contracts, business torts, and post-acquisition. He also frequently serves as outside counsel to for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations, assisting with ongoing legal needs that include risk management, compliance, best practices, contract drafting, and litigation avoidance. Additionally, Mickey works with commercial property owners, providing guidance on common issues like construction disputes, contractor liens, trespassing claims, zoning, lease workouts and restructuring, and tenant evictions. 

Mickey’s national litigation and arbitration practice has involved representing clients in matters across the U.S., from Oregon to New York and Delaware and numerous states in between. Mickey has also successfully handled appeals in the Colorado Court of Appeals, Colorado Supreme Court, and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Committed to the broader Denver community, Mickey volunteers with various philanthropic causes that include the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the World Wildlife Fund, and his church, as well as representing numerous pro bono clients. In his free time, Mickey is an avid golfer, runner, hiker, and fan of Colorado sports teams. He especially enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and daughter.

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • 10th Circuit Court of Appeals

Education

  • University of Colorado Law School, J.D. (2011)
    • University of Colorado Law Review
  • Texas Christian University, B.A., Summa cum laude (2008)

Litigation & Arbitration Successes

  • Numerous summary judgment victories for sureties against indemnitors.
  • Numerous successful actions for eviction of commercial tenants and recovery of unpaid commercial rent.
  • Successful Colorado Court of Appeals appeal to enforce surety’s rights under indemnity agreement (2025)
  • Full confirmation of multi-million-dollar arbitration award from Vienna, Austria arbitration in US federal court in contested confirmation proceedings (2025)
  • Full award for surety client and defense of counterclaims in two-week arbitration in Tennessee (2025)
  • Full award for client in New York arbitration to recover finder’s fee for financial services industry client (2023)
  • Defense of multi-million-dollar Colorado arbitration claims (2023)
  • Full award for client and defense of counterclaims in post-acquisition dispute arbitration in Delaware (2022)
  • Successful Colorado Court of Appeals appeal in business tort/ownership action (2022)
  • Full dismissal of claims in defense of professional negligence action (2022)
  • Full dismissal of claims in breach of contract action (2021)
  • Prevailing party in a 2-week jury trial in theft of trade secret/business ownership case (2020)
  • Reported Colorado Court of Appeals victory in business tort action (2020)
  • Reported Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals victory in business tort action (2019)
  • Reported Colorado Supreme Court victory in water rights action (2018)
  • Defended two oil field service companies in contested receivership hearings (2017)
  • Successful motion to dismiss claim by former employee for equity ownership in drilling company (2017)
  • Author of Colorado Chapter to “Schor: Fifty State Construction Lien and Bond Law” (Wolter Kluwer, 2025 ed. & yearly updates)
  • Co-Author, Colorado Chapter to: “Dodd and Findlay, State-By-State Guide to Construction Contracts and Claims” (Wolter Kluwer, 2025 ed. & yearly updates)
  • Author, “Application of Colorado’s Pro Rata Liability Statute to Contract Damages,” Colorado Lawyer (June 2016)
  • Assistant Editor, The Contract Bond Surety’s Subrogation Rights (George J. Bachrach, James D. Ferrucci & Dennis J. Bartlett eds., American Bar Association (2013)
  • Co-author, “Green Building Projects, AIA Sustainable Agreements and Their Impact on the Surety,” (2012)
  • Presenter, Timely Presentation of Lien and Bond Claims, Rocky Mountain Surety Association (August 13, 2013)
  • Moderator, Expedited Trial Programs, Marsh Inn of Court (March 7, 2013)
  • Presenter, Green Building Projects, AIA Sustainable Agreements and Their Impact on the Surety, Surety & Fidelity Claims Institute Conference (June 27-29, 2012)
  • Member, Colorado State Bar Association (2011 – present)

Start typing and press enter to search