Laurence (Trip) W. DeMuth, III

Energy & Infrastructure Litigation

Trip applies decades of complex litigation experience to assist clients in the energy and infrastructure sectors in large and sophisticated environmental and climate change-related matters. Climate change and associated regulatory developments, and private and public lawsuits are creating high-stakes litigation risk. Trip aligns himself with clients to find a path forward.

Following four weeks of trial, Trip and his team saved a utility hundreds of millions of dollars defending against claims of poor operations and improper costs associated with the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Trip successfully argued that the plaintiff’s claims of imprudent operations were a pretext to attempt to recoup its investment in coal after seeing the regulatory winds changing. This verdict led to Law Week Colorado recognizing Trip as the 2024 “Top Litigator.”

Currently, Trip is involved with data-center litigation. The disputes range from disagreements over the proper design and installation of both hot and cold aisle containments to consequential damages related to operation, efficiencies and the utilization of energy.

Trip is a leader of the firm’s newly formed energy litigation team and draws on recent trial experience to guide clients through the complexities of energy and infrastructure disputes.

Complex Commercial & Construction Litigation

Trip has also led multiple litigation teams in complex commercial and construction matters. His cases have included:

• Representing a general contractor against claims related to the construction of a $250 million gold mill constructed at a mine.
• Represented multiple companies in disputes over governance, fiduciary duties, derivative claims, contracts and dissociation from joint ventures.
• Defended a general contractor against antitrust claims brought by both a state and municipality related to bids submitted for the construction of a convention center.
• In 2011, Law Week Colorado recognized a jury verdict Trip won in a fraud and breach of contract case as the seventh-largest jury verdict in Colorado.

Trip also serves as a trusted adviser to clients, including, for example, conducting internal investigations and serving on the steering committee for a multibillion-dollar international company as it considered expansion into China.

Recognition & Service

Trip was recognized in 2018 and 2024 by Law Week Colorado as a “Top Litigator.” He is ranked in Chambers USA and Best Lawyers. Trip is also a member of the Boulder County District Attorney’s Conviction Integrity Unit, a panel that reviews claims of injustice in Boulder County.

Prior Experience

Trip was a prosecutor in the Boulder County District Attorney’s office from 1984 to 2000. That experience has proven invaluable to the private practice clients he has represented in court since joining the firm in 2000.