Background
Construction attorney with hands-on heavy civil, energy, industrial and vertical construction industry experience. Litigation and transactional practice focused on efficient strategies for goal achievement.
Michael Zehner was raised in the construction industry. Working for his father’s heavy civil construction company from a young age, he was a laborer, equipment operator, foreman and (eventually) project manager; pursuing, performing and directing work for infrastructure and energy clients, both public and private. His work has since provided him the opportunity to represent construction project owners, contractors, engineers, subcontractors and suppliers across numerous sectors of the industry.
This background and passion for construction allow him to swiftly grasp the underlying facts of construction disputes and develop strategies for their efficient resolution. Michael is skilled at drafting agreements, motions, briefs and pleadings in his litigation-focused practice, while his extensive contract drafting, review, negotiation and management experience benefit clients at all stages of the life of their construction projects.
Michael teaches a graduate course on legal aspects of construction at the University of Colorado’s College of Engineering Applied Science in Boulder.
Representative Matters
- Represented a design-build contractor as co-trial counsel in a U.S. District Court jury trial involving a $259 million claim for cost overruns and disruption on a major highway reconstruction project, while defending against a $5 million counterclaim by the project engineer. Also advised on related disputes totaling over $480 million across state and federal courts, private arbitration and other forums.
- Represented top-10 ENR contractor as plaintiff in a state administrative court proceeding, challenging a state department of transportation administrative action, resulting in a successful retraction of the action on confidential settlement terms.
- Successfully obtained (and collected) six-figure verdict, plus trebled damages, in arbitration involving a construction project supplier’s breach of contract, civil theft, fraud and conversion.
- Successfully obtained six-figure verdict, plus trebled damages, in bench trial involving a violation of Colorado’s construction Trust Fund Statute on a real estate development project.
- Negotiated through execution a $360 million cost-plus GMP agreement for construction of a large convention center, located in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Negotiated through execution a $243 million cost-plus GMP agreement for construction of a 48-story, luxury apartment, condominium and retail tower in a prestigious area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Insights & Publications
Insights & Publications
News
News
Credentials
Education
J.D., 2017, University of Colorado
B.A., 2013, University of Colorado Boulder
Admissions
Colorado
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
Memberships
2024 Chair of Associates Council and Council Member (2020–2025), Colorado Contractors Association
Associate Fellow, Construction Lawyers Association of America
2025 Trustee, Construction Workforce Foundation of Colorado
Recognition
AWARDS
5280 Top Lawyers, 2025
Colorado Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2023-2025
