Practice Areas

  • Corporate
  • Liquor Licensing
  • Retail, Restaurants & Hospitality

Admissions

  • Colorado

Austin J. Gemmell

Partner

Phone: 303.454.2151
Email: agemmell@messner.com
Office: Denver

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BackgroundEducation & HonorsAssociationsNoteworthy

Austin Gemmell is a member of the firm’s corporate group, where he advises on a wide array of transactional deals for individuals and businesses, including entity formation and restructuring, stock purchase and sale agreements, lease agreements, licensing agreements, private loan agreements, vendor and employment agreements, and other general compliance matters. Austin’s primary focus is in the hospitality industry, where he regularly assists retailers, restaurants, and similar establishments with liquor license applications and other permitting, as well as violations, including representing them at public hearings.

Austin is a former member of the firm’s litigation group, bringing a broad range of experience in all stages of litigation, which provides him with a distinctive outlook in the transactional domain. His prior expertise encompasses drafting and preparing litigation documents, such as pleadings and motions, overseeing discovery processes, conducting depositions with witnesses, and handling hearings and arbitrations. Austin’s skill set also encompasses legal research, analysis, and proficient writing.

Austin received his Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Northern Arizona University in 2013. While in Flagstaff, AZ, Austin volunteered with the Coconino County Public Defender’s Office and received his professional certification as a snowboard instructor. Austin then went on to pursue his legal education at the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law, and now pursues his interest in hospitality law not only through his practice, but also through various organizations and advisory groups in Denver.

As a highly regarded firm corporate group member, Austin has achieved numerous noteworthy successes. Here are a few of his recent notable accomplishments:

  • Advised several private equity companies on liquor license compliance with their resorts and restaurants in Colorado’s mountain towns, including representing them at public hearings on new licenses or transfers of the same.
  • Represented several favorite local restaurants and retailers in show cause hearings for alleged violations of the liquor code, including negotiating and drafting stipulation agreements relating to the same.
  • Negotiated, and drafted the transactional documents for, the sale of a large wine distributor, including its extensive inventory.
  • Assisted with negotiating and drafting various license agreements and related intellectual property agreements for a popular board game designer and manufacturer.
  • Assisted with negotiating and drafting retail lease agreements for a local chain restaurant at several new desired locations across the country.
  • University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 2018, J.D., Order of the Coif
  • Northern Arizona University, 2013, B.S., Criminology and Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology
  • Colorado Bar Association
  • Denver Bar Association
  • Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
  • Defense Research Institute
  • National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals

Certified Snowboard Instructor – AASI – February 2015

Publications and Speaking Engagements
Professional Experience
  • Sturm College of Law, 2018, J.D.
  • Northern Arizona University, 2013, B.S., Criminology and Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology

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Messner Reeves LLP
1550 Wewatta St. Suite 710
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 623-1800.