Fennemore Teams Up with Galvanize Law to Boost Western U.S. Construction Legal Services
Fennemore, one of the fastest-growing firms on the Am Law 200 list, is making a significant move to deepen its roots in the construction law sector by joining forces with Denver-based Galvanize Law, a respected and women-owned boutique firm renowned for its expertise in construction litigation and transactional law. The integration becomes official on October 1, 2025, and represents a strategic alignment of vision, capacity, and regional influence.
With this development, Fennemore aims to reinforce its presence throughout the Western United States, while doubling down on its commitment to serving the construction industry in a time of transformation. The partnership allows both firms to offer clients enhanced legal resources, greater bench strength, and a broader scope of advisory services that are increasingly vital in today’s complex construction landscape.
Elevating Construction Law Across the Mountain West
Construction law is rapidly evolving due to its intersection with several critical legal and economic domains—real estate development, infrastructure investment, labor and employment dynamics, and environmental considerations. As development accelerates across the Mountain West and Western regions, law firms are being called upon to provide multi-disciplinary support that reflects the pace and complexity of the industry.
Recognizing this, Fennemore’s partnership with Galvanize Law strategically positions the firm to offer highly specialized construction-related legal services to a broader range of clients—including developers, contractors, architects, engineers, and investors—across a larger geographic footprint.
“Construction is one of the most dynamic sectors in the Rocky Mountain region,” said James Goodnow, CEO of Fennemore. “This combination deepens our litigation bench and broadens our advisory services at a time when clients need forward-thinking legal partners. We’re excited to welcome a team whose energy, vision, and entrepreneurial drive resonate with Fennemore’s culture and values.”
This union aligns with Fennemore’s long-term strategy of investing in high-growth sectors by acquiring specialized talent and building geographic scale in key markets. With Galvanize Law onboard, Fennemore now extends its reach into one of the region’s most vital and competitive practice areas.
Responding to Shifting Industry Demands
The construction industry in the U.S.—and particularly in Colorado—is navigating a period of enormous change and opportunity. Rapid population growth, urban expansion, and federal infrastructure investments are stimulating long-term demand for commercial and residential development. However, these growth drivers are tempered by escalating material and labor costs, entitlement hurdles, regulatory pressures, and ongoing legal disputes.
In Colorado and especially Denver, construction-related litigation has become increasingly prevalent. Builders and contractors are facing rising volumes of defect claims, non-payment issues, and complex regulatory challenges. Often, legal teams must manage multiple issues concurrently—defending against claims while prosecuting others related to payment or breach of contract.
It’s within this legal environment that Galvanize Law has made its mark. The firm, founded by attorneys January Allen and Kate Strauss, has built a sterling reputation as a client-first, results-driven practice offering both litigation prowess and practical transactional advice. Their team, licensed in six states, brings decades of deep experience in construction law, and their presence in the Denver legal market is both respected and influential.
“Clients today aren’t just looking for legal advice—they need strategic business partners who understand the full lifecycle of a project,” noted Allen. “From contract negotiations to dispute resolution, the stakes are high, and the environment is fast-moving. By joining Fennemore, we’re better positioned than ever to meet those demands head-on.”
A Full-Service Legal Platform for Construction Clients
Through the combination, Galvanize Law clients will now gain access to Fennemore’s full-service legal platform, which includes capabilities far beyond construction law. From labor and employment matters to insurance coverage, corporate transactions, M&A, environmental compliance, and outside general counsel services, clients can now receive comprehensive support tailored to every phase of the business cycle.
Fennemore’s multidisciplinary structure is particularly suited to construction clients, whose needs often extend beyond litigation or contract law. Issues like workforce management, succession planning, insurance risk, financing, and dispute avoidance all require legal fluency across practice areas—a strength this new partnership brings to the forefront.
“Joining Fennemore was about more than scaling,” said Kate Strauss, Co-Founder of Galvanize. “We wanted to partner with a firm that shared our entrepreneurial mindset and values-driven culture. With Fennemore, we’ve found a team that not only complements our strengths but enhances what we can offer. This allows us to serve our clients with more depth, more insight, and more resources—without compromising the integrity and approachability that have always defined Galvanize.”
Growth With Purpose: Fennemore’s Strategic Expansion
This latest move by Fennemore reflects its broader, people-first growth strategy, which prioritizes intentional expansion in sectors and geographies where the firm can deliver maximum impact. Rather than pursuing size for its own sake, Fennemore has focused on building deep, nimble, and industry-savvy teams that offer high-touch, high-value service to clients.
The addition of Galvanize fits seamlessly into that approach, enhancing Fennemore’s presence in Denver while positioning the firm as a regional leader in construction law across the Western U.S. The move also reinforces Fennemore’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as Galvanize is a women-owned and operated firm—a rarity in the legal construction space.
“Galvanize brings a respected name in Denver’s construction and business communities,” said Tami York, Office Managing Partner for Fennemore in Denver. “Their practical approach, industry insight, and deep client relationships align perfectly with our team’s strengths. Together, we’re building a modern legal platform designed for the evolving needs of the construction industry.”
A Shared Vision for the Future
For both firms, this combination is less about acquisition and more about collaboration. The goal is to amplify what each team does best—delivering unmatched legal guidance with agility, creativity, and business-minded strategy.
Fennemore and Galvanize are aligned not just in their practice areas, but in their cultures: both emphasize client service, attorney development, innovation, and an entrepreneurial spirit. As construction continues to serve as a backbone of economic growth in the Mountain West, this new partnership ensures clients have legal advisors who are not only technically sound but also attuned to the realities of building in a changing world.
With October 1, 2025, as the official start of the partnership, both firms are already preparing to integrate operations, align teams, and introduce new capabilities to existing and prospective clients. The transition will be smooth, and clients can expect uninterrupted service—with the added benefit of new expertise and broader support.
