Background
Thirty-five years guiding notable real estate projects in Denver and across the nation. Significant experience in urban redevelopment, hotel and resort developments and public private partnerships. Exceptional community leader.
Bruce James’ clients value his expansive expertise in public/private partnerships, hotel and resort properties, urban redevelopment projects and complex joint ventures. He brings a roster of local and national successes—the redevelopment of Denver’s historic Union Station and Dairy Block, the newly opened Populous Hotel in Denver, recent hotel developments in Seattle, Southern California, Boston and the Caribbean, and the Stanly Ranch Resort under development in Napa, to name a few—to his work.
Bruce inspires confidence among both his clients and colleagues through strong leadership. He served as managing partner at Brownstein from 2003–2013, guiding the firm’s growth from 80 lawyers to more than 250 lawyers and policy advisors. Bruce also served as general counsel for the firm and co-chair of the Real Estate Department.
Bruce has not only served in key leadership roles at Brownstein, but has had an ongoing leadership role across many fronts in Denver. Bruce served as co-chair of Denver Mayor Michael Hancock’s successful 2011, 2015 and 2019 mayoral campaigns. He has also served as chair of Visit Denver, Downtown Denver, Inc., the 16th Street Mall Steering Committee, and served on the Denver 2030 Winter Olympics Exploratory Committee and the 2026 Denver World Cup Bid Committee. His recent efforts also include co-chairing the recent Downtown Denver Security Action Plan Task Force as the downtown business community, in collaboration with government officials, seeks to find solutions to ensure Denver remains a clean, safe and vibrant city.
Representative Matters
- Represented Urban Villages in the acquisition and development of the Populous Hotel, voted in 2025 by Esquire magazine as the best new hotel in the world.
- Represented a joint venture of The Nichols Partnership and BMC Investments in the development of the Moxy Hotel on the Hill in Boulder, one of the few hotels in recent years to open on the campus of the University of Colorado in Boulder.
- Represented the owner of The Art Hotel, a nine-story, 165-room, art-themed luxury property at East 12th Avenue and Broadway in Denver.
- Represented a joint venture among Grand American Inc., McWhinney and Sage Hospitality, in the redevelopment of Dairy Block in lower downtown Denver.
- Advised McWhinney on its acquisition of a site from Hyatt and negotiation of hotel and franchise agreements for the Austin Hyatt Centric in the heart of downtown Austin, Texas.
Insights & Publications
Insights & Publications
News
News
Credentials
Education
- J.D., 1985, University of Denver Sturm College of Law, Order of St. Ives
- B.B.A., 1982, University of Michigan
Previous Experience
Admissions
- Colorado
Community Involvement
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Board of Directors, Executive Committee Member and Past Chair, Visit Denver – The Convention and Visitors Bureau
Former Board Member:
Co-Chair, Hancock for Denver Mayoral Campaign 2011, 2015 and 2019
Corporate Leadership Committee, 2026 Denver World Cup
The Other Side Academy Denver
Downtown Denver, Inc. (Former Chair)
Denver Civic Center Conservancy
16th Street Mall Steering Committee, Downtown Denver Partnership (Co-Chair)
Denver 2030 Winter Olympics Exploratory Committee (Chair of Legal Subcommittee)
Colorado Convention Center Expansion Project Leadership Team
Biennial of the Americas
City Year Denver
Family Tree Inc.
Junior Achievement
Littleton Hospital
The Denver Brass
Former Chair, South Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and South Denver Economic Development Group
Recognition
AWARDS:
“Bruce James is someone to bring in for the complex and hard situations. He is incredibly knowledgeable and has great gravitas.” “Bruce is a great attorney who goes above and beyond. He understands the confluence of business, law and politics very well, and can provide counsel that very few other attorneys could match.” “He has a balanced approach to tough legal issues, always has clients’ best interest in mind and provides top-level legal services.” – Chambers USA, 2024
“Bruce is the best attorney I have ever worked with. He is sophisticated, practical and provides a nice balance of business vs legal advice.” “He is a go-to attorney who has strong business sense.” – Chambers USA, 2022
5280 Top Lawyers, 2017-2025
Best Lawyers in America, 2010-2025
Chambers USA, 2005-2025
Colorado Super Lawyers, 2006-2025
Honorary Partner, Downtown Denver Partnership, 2018
Lawdragon, “100 Managing Partners You Need To Know”, 2008
