G. Stephen Long
In Memory: 1952-2022
As a top-rated attorney, GSL Trial Founder Steve Long has a proven reputation for winning in the courtroom. Steve provides legal services for Business Litigation, Antitrust Litigation, and Intellectual Property Litigation. Steve has handled federal and state court cases and has tried more than 90 jury trials in 19 states, 5 Supreme Courts, and 5 Federal Courts of Appeal. In addition, he received national recognition for trying significant commercial matters on a contingency basis and has recovered more than $500 million for individual clients, small businesses, and large corporations.
As one of the select few attorneys from each state, Steve has retained his title of Super Lawyers’ “Best Lawyers in America” for a consecutive 15 years. The independent research, peer nominations, evaluations, and professional achievement observations of the Super Lawyers’ selection process ensure the winning nominees’ credibility and talent.
Rated “Metro Denver’s Top Business Newsmakers” by The Denver Business Journal’s “Power Book,” Long’s entrepreneurial spirit and diligent work ethic reflect his extensive class action case experience. In addition, Steve has also been recognized as one of The Best Lawyers in America® in Commercial Litigation, is rated by Super Lawyers Magazine for the fifteenth year, was selected by the Denver Media as a “Business Leader to Watch,” and has many other awards and recognitions under his belt.
From lead counsel for a certified settlement class in Kansas and Missouri against Wal-Mart Inc. stores to lead class and trial counsel for military retirees seeking a declaration of an unconstitutional state taxing scheme, Steve’s extensive experience has shown he can get the job done.
Education
Steve graduated from Harvard University, B.A., cum laude, in 1974 and The University of Wisconsin-Madison, J.D., with honors, in 1977.
Honors & Distinctions
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Metro Denver’s Top Business Newsmakers” in the 2011 Power Book by The Denver Business Journal
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The Best Lawyers in America® 2006 -2022, Commercial Litigation
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Colorado Super Lawyer® 2006-2022
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Denver Media as a “Business Leader to Watch”
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Colorado Trial Lawyer Association (CTLA) Case of the Year, May 2006
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Lon O. Hocker Memorial Trial Lawyer Award (The Missouri Bar Foundation)
Areas of Practice & Expertise
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Complex Commercial Litigation
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Antitrust Litigation
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Intellectual Property Litigation
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Business Litigation
Admitted to Practice Before
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Supreme Court of the United States
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United States Court of Appeals: Federal Circuit, Seventh Circuit, Eighth Circuit; Ninth Circuit; Tenth Circuit; Eleventh Circuit
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United States District Court: District of Colorado and many others
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State Courts: Colorado; Missouri
Professional & Community Affiliations
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Colorado Bar Association
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Denver Bar Association
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Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
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Kansas City Missouri Bar Association
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Lawyer Pilots’ Bar Association
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Federal Bar Association
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Faculty of Federal Advocate
Significant Representations
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Lead trial counsel for the former owner of the Denver Broncos in a jury trial before a Denver Federal Jury, seeking a 10% ownership interest in the team due to the breach of a right of first refusal in a Sale Contract. Although Mr. Long’s client prevailed in the jury trial and obtained an award of specific performance, the case was reversed on appeal. Kaiser v. Bowlen, 181 F. Supp. 2d 1200, (Colo. 2002), appeal, 455 F.3d 1197 (Colo. 2007).
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Co-Lead counsel for a certified class of royalty owners in a jury trial against BP/AMOCO for over twelve years underpaying oil and gas royalties. The jury returned a verdict for the class resulting in a judgment above $40 million.
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Lead counsel for a certified settlement class in Kansas and Missouri against Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., et al., arising out of wage and hour disputes on behalf of all former and current employees. The settlement in these cases exceeded $100 million.
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Lead class and trial counsel for military retirees seeking a declaration that the state taxing scheme was unconstitutional. The Colorado Supreme Court affirmed and ordered the state to pay approximately $32 million in refunds. Kuhn v. The State of Colorado, 817 P.2d 101 (Colo. 1991), appeal after remand, 897 P.2d 792 (Colo. 1995).
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Lead trial counsel for a class of investors attacking an oil and gas company due to a master limited partnership roll-up. After a four-week class action trial in the Chancery Court of Delaware and Delaware Supreme court affirmance, approximately $63 million was paid to investors. Research Corp. et al. v. Maclane Gas Co., 633 A.2d 369, reh’g denied, 647 A.2d 381 (Del. 1993).
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Lead trial counsel for the reorganized Kaiser Steel Corporation seeking reimbursement of over $300 million from numerous defendants, including advisors, directors, and officers, on theories of fraudulent transfer and breach of fiduciary duties, which left the company insolvent after a leveraged buyout. The case settled on the weekend before the scheduled three-month jury trial.
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Trial counsel for a small cable television company claiming antitrust and tortious interference violations by a major cable television company. After a five-week jury trial and full appeal, the client received approximately $43 million. TCI Cablevision, Inc. v. Central Telecommunications, Inc., 800 F.2d 711 (8th Circuit 1986), cert. Denied, 480 U.S. 910 (1987).
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Lead trial counsel for a small, high-tech start-up company claiming contract violations and various business torts against a major U.S. tire company in a six-week jury trial in the Boulder District Court. A seven-figure jury verdict was obtained, and the case settled on appeal.