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Patrick Ridley


Mr. Ridley represents individuals and entities in criminal, regulatory and civil matters involving significant risk to liberty, financial and reputational interests. Mr. Ridley’s practice involves the defense of white-collar crimes, internal investigations, general criminal defense, civil litigation and the defense of attorneys and other professionals relating to licensure issues. Mr. Ridley has also represented numerous elected and appointed public officials in connection with allegations of public corruption.

A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, Mr. Ridley has tried more than 100 jury trials involving securities fraud, tax fraud, computer fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, congressional redistricting, Ponzi schemes, breach of contract, capital murder, non-capital murder, catastrophic personal injury, sexual assault and conspiracy.

In addition to his substantial trial experience, Mr. Ridley has successfully resolved countless civil matters through arbitration or mediation, including contract disputes, personal injury cases, breach of fiduciary matters, litigation involving the sale of businesses, breach of employment agreements and theft of trade secrets.  

Applying the experience gained from spending three decades negotiating with federal and state prosecutors and law enforcement agents, Mr. Ridley has developed a thriving whistleblower practice, in which he represents whistleblowers who have information concerning the wrongdoing of employers, coworkers or other parties engaged in violations of the securities laws and the Internal Revenue Code.

Mr. Ridley has conducted numerous internal investigations and has also represented executives, managers and key employees in such investigations. He has advised corporate boards and audit committees with respect to such investigations.

Mr. Ridley has represented individuals and entities who are under investigation by federal and state law enforcement and regulatory agencies, including the Department of Justice, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Internal Revenue Service, the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, the Colorado Division of Securities, the Colorado Board of Regulatory Agencies, the Colorado Board of Medical Examiners, the Colorado Board of Accountancy, the Colorado Real Estate Commission and the Colorado Supreme Court Attorney Regulation Counsel.

 
Representative Matters
Awards & Honors
Affiliations
Education & Bar Admissions
  • Conducted internal investigation on behalf of University of Colorado relating to alleged eavesdropping.

  • Counsel to the Colorado Secretary of State who was target of Grand Jury Investigation relating to alleged misappropriation of funds. The grand jury issued a no true bill, declining to issue an indictment.

  • Counsel to Fortune 500 Health Care Company concerning Colorado Attorney General and Denver Metropolitan District Attorney Investigation.

  • Obtained dismissal of indictment in alleged antitrust bid rigging case in the poultry industry.

  • Obtained pre-trial dismissal of felony counts filed against a Rabbi for possessing and distributing psilocybin mushrooms.

  • Counsel to a mortgage company executive investigated for tax and mortgage fraud in connection with a 2½ year investigation into an alleged multi-million fraud. The federal government declined prosecution.

  • Defense of oil and gas company in 5-year grand jury fraud investigation. No charges filed.

  • Represented numerous nursing home and assisted living facilities in connection with law enforcement and regulatory investigations.

  • Internal Investigation for leading hotel chain concerning federal immigration investigation.

  • Retained by the Department of Justice to represent census worker charged in federal court. Client acquitted by federal jury.

  • Multistate internal investigation for national building maintenance company concerning financial and immigration issues.

  • Counsel to property manager of a large national landlord alleged to have violated the Clean Air Act, based on improper asbestos removal. The grand jury declined to issue an indictment.

  • Trial counsel to federal agent indicted for computer fraud in connection with the 2006 Colorado Gubernatorial election. Client was acquitted by federal jury.

  • Counsel to manager of a steel plating company investigated for allegedly violating the Clean Water Act. Colorado Attorney General declined prosecution.

  • Counsel to Colorado Democratic Party in congressional redistricting litigation resulting in the Court choosing the Democrat’s map.

  • Defended 17-year old charged with first degree murder. Client acquitted by Denver jury.

  • Counsel to political operative investigated for alleged campaign finance law violations. Prosecution denied prosecution.

  • Counsel to numerous elected and appointed pubic officials for alleged criminal and/or ethical improprieties.

  • Counsel to union leader investigated for alleged extortion in connection with United States Senate race. The grand jury refused to issue an indictment.

  • Internal investigation of corporation alleged to have been responsible for a multi-billion dollar loss by large Australian bank. No criminal, civil or regulatory action taken.

  • Counsel to numerous defendants accused of orchestrating or participating in some of the largest Ponzi Schemes in the history of Colorado.

  • Conducted internal investigation of large transportation corporation concerning allegations of rampant mismanagement and corruption.

  • Trial Counsel to decorated veteran accused of sexually assaulting two victims in three states over 25 years. Acquitted of all counts in three jury trials in Virginia and Colorado.

  • Client acquitted of perjury charge in Virginia state court.

  • Counsel to numerous executives and managers of international telecommunications company in wide-ranging criminal and SEC investigation.

  • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers

  • Fellow, American Law Foundation

  • Best Lawyers in America®: White Collar Criminal Defense and Non-White Collar Criminal Defense (2011-2024) 

  • Best Lawyers in America®: Bet-the-Company Litigation, Denver (2024)

  • Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year” – Criminal Defense: White Collar, Denver (2017, 2019, 2023)

  • Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year” – Criminal Defense: General Practice, Denver​ (​2016​)​

  • Colorado Super Lawyers: (2006-2024)
    - Top 50 Lawyers in Colorado (2009, 2011)
    - Top 100 Lawyers in Colorado (2012-2024)
    - Corporate Edition (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)

  • 5280 Magazine: Top Criminal Defense Lawyer (2015-2023)

  • Law Week Colorado – Best Criminal Defense: White Collar Lawyer​ ​(2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020)

  • Law Week Colorado – Best Criminal Defense Lawyer (2018)

  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV® Preeminent™

  • Colorado Criminal Defense Bar (President, 2005-2006; Director, 2000 – 2007)

  • Criminal Justice Act Panel: for the District of Colorado Standing Committee (Chairman 2010 -2014); Member (2008 – 2014)

  • Colorado’s Representative to the U.S. Criminal Justice Act District Representative Conference (2010-2014)

  • E-Discovery in Criminal Cases Committee of the United States District Court of the District of Colorado (Chair: 2011-2014)

  • American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section, Committee on White Collar Crime (Rocky Mountain Regional Co-Chair, 2005-2006).

  • Doyle’s Inn of Court (1985-1986; 1993-2000)

  • Faculty of Federal Advocates

  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

  • American, Colorado and Denver Bar Associations

Education

University of Denver, J.D.

  • Editor-In-Chief, Denver University Law Review

  • Finalist, Barrister’s Cup, Appellate Argument Competition

DePauw University, B.A.


Bar Admissions

  • Colorado State Bar

  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit