Tom Downey is a regulatory attorney and shareholder at Ireland Stapleton with extensive experience in both government service and private practice. He advises clients on all aspects of regulatory law and is widely recognized for resolving complex issues governed by local, state, and federal agencies.
Tom’s practice focuses primarily on advising and representing corporate clients in administrative, transactional, and disciplinary matters involving liquor licensing, legalized marijuana, and professional licensing regulated by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. He also represents investors, creditors, developers, intellectual property holders, and other stakeholders involved in licensed and highly regulated industries.
To provide comprehensive counsel, Tom regularly handles zoning and land use matters, code enforcement issues, election law, Title Board proceedings, and public policy work. He represents government entities and nonprofit organizations across the country.
In addition to his legal practice, Tom serves as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association and is frequently retained as an expert witness in regulatory matters. He regularly teaches continuing legal education courses and speaks nationally on regulatory and licensing law. Tom is also a frequent guest lecturer at law schools, including the University of Denver and Cornell University, and previously served on rulemaking committees for the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division and the Liquor Enforcement Division.
Tom began his legal career as a law clerk to Judge D. Warren Donohue of the Circuit Court of Maryland. While in law school, he spent the summer of 1992 in Budapest as a consultant to a founding member of Hungary’s first opposition party, assisting in the early work to redraft the country’s constitution. Prior to law school, he worked for U.S. Congressman Charles B. Rangel of New York.
Tom and his wife, Lori Fox, have three daughters, Cate, Ella, and Meg, all of whom are accomplished singers and songwriters.
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February 3, 2021
December 2019
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