Burg Simpson Shareholder Brian Matise Weighs in on Special Districts

Attorney Brian Matise, a Burg Simpson shareholder, commercial litigation lawyer, and special districts expert, was recently quoted in an article published by the Denver Post on December 27th. The article was written by investigative reporter David Migoya about metro district real estate developments in Colorado, and how new legislation is needed to prevent conflicts of interest. The article examines how an array of personal connections, conflicts, and self-interests occurred at the Bijou Creek Metropolitan District at the expense of the homeowners. Brian Matise said, “It’s always better to over-disclose. There are simply too many ways to misinterpret otherwise.”

Coloradoans for Metro Reform, a reform group led by homeowners, attorneys, and real estate professionals, is now pressing legislators to change special district concerns including allowing residents to vote on any future bond debt that a developer-controlled board had approved long before any homes are built.

Read the article here

About Brian Matise

Mr. Matise’s legal experience includes all aspects of general civil practice with an emphasis on complex commercial litigation, mass tort product liability litigation, special district and homeowner association law, and insurance coverage litigation. Mr. Matise has successfully tried over a dozen cases to a jury verdict or judgment and obtained several million dollars in settlements for clients.

Mr. Matise has represented special districts and homeowners associations both as general counsel and in litigation against developers. Mr. Matise obtained a jury verdict and judgment against the former developer and President of two Colorado metropolitan districts, invalidating several million dollars of contracts and a personal liability judgment against the developer. The judgment was upheld on appeal, which Mr. Matise argued. Mr. Matise also successfully brought a quo warranto action on behalf of approximately 50 homeowners to replace an illegal Board of Directors of a metropolitan district with residents lawfully appointed by the Elbert County Board of County Commissioners. Mr. Matise was successful in that action despite the refusal of the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s office to bring the action.

Consistently recognized by his peers for legal excellence, Mr. Matise has been selected by Best Lawyers in America® and Colorado Super Lawyers®.