Otten Johnson Robinson Neff + Ragonetti PC
General Information
Overview
Serving the diverse business needs of sophisticated clients has guided Otten Johnson's growth and development. Since its inception in 1985, Otten Johnson has augmented its renowned roots as a real estate firm to build a dynamic and respected multi-specialty practice, serving business clients in many different industries. We take pride in being a valued and essential extension of each client's business, a collaborative partner in meeting challenges and building platforms for ongoing success.
Otten Johnson's resources and range of legal expertise, combined with a commercially-minded and innovative approach, ensure that the firm can fully assist business clients, whatever their legal needs may be.
Rankings
Otten Johnson Robinson Neff + Ragonetti PC is nationally ranked in 1 practice areas and metro ranked in 7 practice areas. Best Law Firms rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process.
Read how Best Law Firms ranks firmsNational Rankings
Metro Rankings
Firm Leadership
Highlighted Client Comments
Rankings
National Rankings
Metro Rankings
Practice Areas
- Banking and Finance Law
- Corporate Law
- Eminent Domain
- Land Use and Zoning Law
- Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
- Litigation - Real Estate
- Real Estate Law
Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®
Client Comments
Awards
- Civic 50 Colorado - Most Civic Minded Companies in Colorado (2018-2022)
Main Location
Management and Personnel
Contacts
Significant Matters
Alliance Residential Company
The firm represents Alliance Residential Company, one of the largest private developers and managers of multifamily product in the nation, with its legal needs in Colorado. Among the projects for which the firm has represented Alliance: two large mixed use projects immediately adjacent to Coors Field in downtown Denver, and a number of other large projects in the Denver suburbs. The firm assists Alliance with its site acquisition and due diligence needs, development and entitlement requirements, including rezoning and subdivision, negotiation of development agreements and cost sharing agreements, and construction contracting and related matters. The firm has represented Alliance for more than 10 years. (Attorneys: Thomas J. Ragonetti, James T. Johnson; Brian J. Connolly)
Belleview Station
The firm represents Front Range Land and Development Company and related entities in connection with its development of Belleview Station, a mixed-use transit-oriented development located in Denver. The firm has assisted with dispositions, leasing, master- and sub-association matters and organization of a public improvements company and implementation of a related public improvements fee for the project. (Attorneys: Bill R. Neff; Chris T. Toll; Kimberly A. Martin; Douglas J. Becker)
Country Club Investments, Ltd.
The firm is assisting the Broe Group with entitlements, construction contracts, financing and other aspects of their Country Club Towers project for two new 300’ multifamily buildings along with the preservation and renovation of a major portion of the historic 1939 Country Club Gardens project. (Attorneys: Thomas J. Ragonetti; James T. Johnson; Michael Westover; Emily A. Hippen; and Brian J. Connolly)
Denver Metropolitan Major League Baseball Stadium District
Over the past two years the firm has been working with the Baseball Stadium District on a major condemnation by the Regional Transportation District (RTD) regarding the rail line going out to Denver International Airport. The firm is also representing the District in their negotiations with the Colorado Rockies baseball club to extend their lease at Coors Field. (Attorneys: Thomas J. Ragonetti; Amanda S. Greenberg; Bill E. Kyriagis)
EchoPark – Sonic Automotive, Inc.
In late 2014, Sonic Automotive began selling automobiles through EchoPark, Sonic’s brand new automotive retail concept featuring web-based car shopping tools and neighborhood-oriented stores with a community-oriented focus. Sonic chose the Denver market as the launch point for the EchoPark brand, and engaged the firm to secure the necessary zoning and land use approvals for the five initial locations. Working with various governmental agencies and jurisdictions throughout the Denver region, Otten Johnson attorneys secured all necessary entitlements for the EchoPark stores, and the firm continues to work with Sonic to identify prospective locations and obtain necessary entitlements for future Sonic and EchoPark developments. (Attorneys: Thomas J. Ragonetti; James T. Johnson; Brian J. Connolly)
Go to the Intersection of South Parker and Stroh Roads in Douglas County, Colorado . . .
To the southeast lies Reata South and the Colorado Golf Club; to the northeast lies Reata Ridge; immediately to the west lie the Stroh and Hess Ranches, and further west across the new Rueter-Hess Reservoir lies the North Canyons Ranch: all large-scale, separate development projects totaling nearly 10,000 acres of mixed-use development in Colorado’s fastest growing county. The firm represents the owners of these projects on entitlements, real estate and public/private financings and related litigation matters. (Attorneys: Thomas J. Ragonetti, James T. Johnson; Kimberly A. Martin; Bill E. Kyriagis)
MDC Property Services Ltd.
During the past twenty four months, MDC has been actively acquiring retail and office properties in Washington, California, Arizona, Colorado and Kansas. The firm represents MDC on all aspects of its business, including entity formation, joint ventures, tax, acquisitions, financings and leasing. During the last year, this has included representation for acquisitions totaling more than $75,000,000. (Attorneys: J. Thomas Macdonald, Douglas J. Becker; Heather H. Park)
National Western Stock Show
The firm is privileged to represent the National Western Stock Show, the largest annual stock show in the United States and a fixture of Western ranching and agricultural heritage, in both redevelopment agreements with the City of Denver and others and a condemnation by the Regional Transportation District of a diagonal light rail line parcel through the heart of the historic National Western Stock Show grounds. The redevelopment involves an entire overhaul of the National Western site and other adjoining lands into a new “National Western Center” which will showcase the Stock Show as well as providing a home for related events and related agricultural education by Colorado State University, and beyond a mere condemnation, the RTD take challenges the very viability of stock show operations at a time when redevelopment activities are moving to high gear. (Attorneys: Thomas J. Ragonetti; Amanda S. Greenberg; Bill E. Kyriagis)
The PrivateBank and Trust Company
The firm represents The PrivateBank and Trust Company on an ongoing basis in connection with acquisition, construction and permanent financing transactions. Among other matters, the firm has represented The PrivateBank over the past 18 months in connection with the acquisition and construction financing for The Promenade at Castle Rock, one of the largest community center developments in the United States. When complete, The Promenade at Castle Rock is expected to contain over 900,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, as well as a multifamily housing complex. (Attorneys: Michael Westover; Emily A. Hippen; Julie E. Gifford; Kimberly A. Martin)
Tessler Developments
Tessler Developments is a major real estate developer in New York City and the firm is assisting them with two projects in Colorado. Both are multifamily residential projects: one is on South University Blvd., and the other is in the Highlands area of Denver. On one project the firm is assisting with entity formation and land use issues including litigation. On the other, the engagement involves entity formation, acquisition and land use issues. (Attorneys: Thomas J. Ragonetti; Douglas J. Becker; Andrew J. Schwartz; Bill E. Kyriagis; Brian J. Connolly)
U.S. Bank National Association
The firm represents U.S. Bank on an ongoing basis in connection with construction and permanent financing transactions. Among other transactions, we currently represent the Bank in connection with a $60,000,000 loan for the construction of a 26-story multi-use building in downtown Durham, NC; and, a $50,000,000 loan for the construction of a hotel located in downtown Seattle, WA.
We continue to represent, on a routine basis, other major lenders including AIG, ANB Bank, Vectra Bank, TCF Bank, The PrivateBank, M&T Bank and Colorado Business Bank.
(Attorneys: Michael Westover; Victoria L. Hellmer; Julie E. Gifford; Emily A. Hippen; Kyle R. Blackmer)
UTW – South Academy Highlands
The firm represented UTW Academy Development and related entities with respect to annexation, entitlements, vested property rights, and a public/private partnership with the City of Fountain and its urban renewal authority. This involved sales tax revenue sharing and the issuance of bonds to finance approximately $25 million in public infrastructure and related improvements to enable 500,000 square feet of retail and commercial development in the South Academy Highlands project. (Attorneys: Munsey L. Ayers; Kimberly A. Martin; Douglas J. Becker)