The Best Lawyers in America® has recognized hundreds of Colorado attorneys across dozens of practice areas in its 2027 edition.
Law Week Colorado is highlighting Colorado attorneys whose firms reported their recognition to LWC, including six attorneys profiled in greater depth. The entries were self-reported by participating law firms and are not intended to represent a comprehensive list of Colorado attorneys recognized in the 2027 edition.
David McLain: Building a Career Defending Colorado’s Builders
For nearly three decades, David McLain has represented builders and contractors in construction litigation, developing a practice shaped by Colorado’s housing market and his belief that the people building the state’s homes deserve strong advocates.
While law was one of his interests since grade school, construction defect litigation was something he “absolutely fell into,” he said.
After earning his law degree from the University of Denver, McLain began practicing in 1998 at Long & Jaudon; he was assigned to partner David Higgins, who handled construction defect litigation as the practice area gained prominence.
The need to help builders is what keeps McLain invested, he said, with his work taking on additional significance as Colorado has struggled with housing affordability.
“I’m drawn by wanting to be part of the solution,” McLain said. “Can we put ourselves in a place where we can get affordable housing back, or even attainable housing back?”
McLain serves on the Colorado Association of Homebuilders’ government affairs committee, working with builders at the Capitol on legislation affecting the industry.
“I feel for the builders,” he said. “By and large, you have people who are simply trying to provide homes.”
This approach is particularly important when he represents owners of smaller companies who are new to legal disputes. “The ones that make me feel the best are the ones where it’s a client that’s never been sued before,” he said. McLain tells clients, “I’ve got you. Don’t worry about it.”
His certainty has been hard-won. After nearly 30 years of practice, McLain said his biggest lesson is that “it takes a long time to get good at it.” Lawyers need to “dig in” to develop expertise, he said.
He is extending that experience into the classroom, teaching construction law and contracts to construction management and engineering students at the University of Colorado Denver. He also serves on the board of the Home Builders Foundation, which brings builders and industry partners together to modify homes so people can remain in place.
Outside of work, McLain plays golf and rugby and enjoys traveling with his wife and four children. Family trips have included RV travel around the United States, three months in Africa and walking the Camino Portugués to Santiago de Compostela.