David Michael Mclain

David McLain is a founding member of Higgins, Hopkins, McLain & Roswell, LLC and focuses his practice on construction defect and construction-related litigation throughout Colorado. He represents developers, general contractors, subcontractors, and other construction professionals in complex, multi-party disputes, including high-exposure matters involving millions of dollars in claimed damages.

David has been recognized as a Tier 1 lawyer by The Legal 500 in its 2026 Denver Elite rankings for Real Estate, a category that includes construction and construction litigation. He has also been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America from 2021 through 2026 for construction law and litigation of construction claims and in Colorado Super Lawyers from 2020 through 2026 for construction litigation. He was named Law Week Colorado’s Barrister’s Best Construction Defects Lawyer for Defendants, receiving the Barrister’s Choice award in 2015 and the People’s Choice award in 2019, and holds an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Earlier in his career, he was recognized as a Colorado Rising Star from 2009 through 2012 for construction litigation and construction and surety law and was nominated to the Denver Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 during that same period.

David approaches litigation with a clear focus: achieve the best possible outcome as early as possible and at the lowest possible total cost, including both attorneys’ fees and litigation expenses. In an industry where cases often become prolonged and inefficient, he emphasizes disciplined case management, strategic positioning, and proactive execution to drive matters toward resolution.

Over the course of his career, David has defended some of Colorado’s largest residential construction defect cases and has developed extensive experience advising clients on risk avoidance and claim management strategies. His clients include national and regional homebuilders, developers, contractors, and insurance carriers who rely on him to handle complex litigation and align legal strategy with business objectives.

In addition to his litigation practice, David is responsible for marketing and business development at the firm and plays a central role in shaping its strategic direction. Through the firm’s implementation of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), he has helped develop a systemized, team-driven approach to litigation that prioritizes accountability, efficiency, and consistent results across matters.

David earned his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from Colorado State University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. He is also a Certified Litigation Management Professional through the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance.