Richard Merpi

Rick Merpi is a commercial litigator who achieves wins for his clients through final judgments, aggressive motion practice, and negotiation and settlement. After nearly a decade of representing Fortune 500 companies, attorneys general, professionals, small local businesses, and closely held corporations, Rick understands the importance of producing results that protect his clients, save them money, and get them back to business.

Rick concentrates his practice in complex commercial litigation, including breach of contract, supply chain disputes (particularly automotive), trade secrets claims, shareholder litigation, construction defects, professional liability, and constitutional takings litigation. Rick won a three- week arbitration, successfully defending an auto parts supplier against an $80 million trade secrets counterclaim and obtaining a six figure award on his client's claim. He has also successfully defended a Chinese auto-maker against a nine-figure federal contract lawsuit. Rick has obtained temporary restraining orders (TROs) and immediate transfers of possession of property to protect his clients' commercial interests and assets. He has successfully appealed to the Sixth Circuit on his client's constitutional takings claim, after which he negotiated a $2.5 million settlement in his client's favor. Rick has won two Colorado bench trials in professional negligence cases against his clients. He also has experience in class action litigation, including antitrust, product liability, breach of warranty, and consumer protection.

Rick was named a Colorado Super Lawyers Rising Star for 2021. Rick received his JD, cum laude, from Wayne State University Law School in 2011, where he was a Dean's Scholar, Senior Articles Editor of the Wayne Law Review, coach and competitor on the Wayne State Moot Court Team, and board member of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society. Prior to law school, Rick pursued an acting career in New York, particularly in musical theatre, and performed in regional theatres around the country.

In addition to his legal practice, Rick enjoys spending time with his wife and two young sons, golfing, skiing, singing, and playing his piano and guitar.