Stephen Wayne Donelson

Stephen Donelson provides guidance and counsels on a wide range of transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, franchisor compliance and franchisee acquisitions, private equity and venture capital matters, lending transactions, debt financing, succession strategies, and real estate matters. He applies his broad background in business, tax, and accounting to provide useful, innovative, and thorough business law services.

He works with venture capital firms, private equity funds, and angel investors including entrepreneurs, start-ups, and emerging companies. He also works with established corporations in banking, health care, biotech and pharmaceutical, commercial transportation, manufacturing, real estate development, financial, and other professional services industries. Mr. Donelson also offers advice on structuring personal wealth and tax and estate planning, particularly in the areas of business succession and wealth transfer.

Mr. Donelson, who began his career in public finance, has co-founded and managed a number of boutique firms in the Denver area for 25 years and has held many leadership positions within the community.

Representative Matters

• Led numerous private acquisition and disposition transactions , negotiating the definitive agreements
• Represented and represents several emerging companies in all facets of financing and operations
• Represented middle-market private businesses in investments in emerging companies

-Professional Highlights

Professional Activities

Colorado Bar Association

Denver Bar Association

Adams/Broomfield Bar Association

Association for Corporate Growth 

Recognition and Accomplishments

AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

Denver's Top Wealth Managers – 5280 Magazine and Colorado Biz, 2010-2016

Citizen Accommodation Award, Westminster Public Recognition Foundation, 2012

Board of Directors Award, Front Range Community College, 2008

Publications and Speaking Engagements

Global Connect and Collaborate Radio Show, Denver, March 22, 2017

"Business Succession Planning 101," National CLE & Ski, Snowmass, Colorado, January 2017 

The Legal 500 US, mergers, acquisitions and buyouts - M&A: middle-market (sub-$500m), 2017

"Related Party Tax Traps," ABA Tax Section Fall Meeting 2014

"The Business of Law," February 2013

"2012 Year-End Tax Changes and 2013 Strategies," Broomfield Chamber Seminar, November 2012

"Exit Strategy Planning and Execution," Broomfield Chamber Seminar, October 2011 

"Small Business Drives the Economy," April 2011

"Starting Your New Business the Right Way," July 2010

"Secrets to Successful Startups," August 2009

"Navigating the Tax Implications of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009," August 2009 

"DCG’s Business Success Summit," June 2009 (Keynote Speaker)

Board Memberships

Global Chamber Denver, Advisory Board, 2016-present 

Westminster Legacy Foundation, Board of Directors, 2013-Present

ACE Scholarships, Board of Advisers, 2012-Present

St. Anthony North Health Foundation, Board of Directors, 2012

Westminster Public Safety Recognition Foundation (WPSRF), Director, 2005-Present

Broomfield Chamber of Commerce, Chairman, Board of Directors, 2015

Westminster 7:10 Rotary Club: President, 2005-2006; Member, 2003-2013

Denver Advisory Board (DAB), Member, 2010-2012

Access Broomfield Economic Coalition (ABEC), Board Member 2013-Present

Front Range Community College Foundation (FRCC), Chairman, 2008-2009; Board Member, 2007-2011

Northglenn Neighborhood Development Corporation, Board Director and President, 2008-2010

Metro North Chamber of Commerce (MNCC), Business and Governmental Affairs Committee, Co-chairman, 2004-2009

Metro Transit Political Action Committee, Chairman, 2002-2006

Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center, Member, Board of Directors, 1997-1998

-Education

University of Denver Sturm College of Law (LL.M. 1992; J.D 1991)

University of Colorado at Boulder (M.B.A. 1990)

University of Colorado at Boulder (B.A. 1983)

-Admissions

Colorado]