Matthew Ryan Sullivan, Partner

Matt Sullivan is one of the leaders of the Messner Reeves Real Estate practice group. Matt is specialized in handling Medical, Restaurant & Hospitality Practice Groups, Corporate, and Banking & Financial Groups. Matt brings an unparalleled blend of expertise and experience, with a proven track record in delivering exceptional results.

Matt is a proud alumnus of Gonzaga University, where he earned his undergraduate degree before furthering his legal studies at The University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Additionally, Matt received an MBA at the University of Colorado to augment his legal prowess with business acumen, solidifying his comprehensive understanding of the intersection between law and business.

Before joining Messner Reeves, Matt honed his skills as Corporate Counsel for Red Robin International, Inc., a role propelling his expertise in Real Estate and Asset Management.

Matt’s real estate practice covers a vast spectrum of transactions, including leasing, acquisitions, and dispositions. He can navigate complex legal frameworks, conduct thorough title reviews, and negotiate favorable outcomes for his clients. Matt’s expertise extends to workout and recovery agreements, foreclosure agreements, financing real estate, and proficient handling of other related contracts and legal documents. He is renowned for his skill in negotiating with landlords to resolve commercial lease disputes.

In addition to Matt’s extensive real estate practice, he is also a trailblazer in the Restaurant & Hospitality industry. He provides comprehensive legal representation and assists clients in all hotel and restaurant management facets. His expertise covers liquor licensing, acquisition, partnership and entity structuring, sale, financial structuring, and nationwide development. With a deep understanding of franchise agreements, operating leases, and financing for hotel and restaurant acquisitions, Matt ensures his clients’ success while navigating the industry’s complexities.

Acknowledging the unique challenges faced by doctors, dentists, and healthcare professionals, Matt extends his legal expertise to this specialized field. He offers unparalleled corporate and real estate support, including property acquisitions, leasing, and practice transitions. Matt’s comprehensive knowledge of corporate structure, governance, regulatory compliance, and employment issues provides invaluable guidance to individual practitioners and healthcare groups.

With a keen eye for detail and a passion for business development, Matt is your trusted advisor in the corporate realm. He represents a diverse range of public and private companies, excelling in entity formation, structuring, debt and equity financing, mergers, acquisitions, and corporate governance. Drawing from his experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry, Matt provides strategic counsel on acquiring companies, financing, and joint ventures. He offers clients a unique blend of legal expertise and industry insights spanning various sectors.

Matt Sullivan’s exceptional legal acumen has garnered recognition from renowned publications and industry organizations. He has been honored by US News & World Report as one of the Best Lawyers in America for the years 2022 and 2023. Additionally, he has been recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023. Matt actively participates in professional associations such as the Denver Bar Association, Colorado Bar Association, Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), Colorado Oil & Gas Association, and NAIOP Commercial Development Association.

A few of Matt’s ongoing representative matters:

-Represents multiple national retail tenants with respect to retail and leasing matters, purchase-sale transactions, development and construction financing matters, and other operational real estate support across the United States for hundreds of locations.

-Represents multiple health individuals with respect to the acquisition and disposition of multi-million dollar practices, including drafting and negotiating membership interest purchase agreements, asset and stock purchase agreements, contribution agreements, and associated ancillary documents for transactions sales

-As outside general counsel, Matt advises business organizations and entrepreneurs on appropriate corporate structure or restructuring, entity formation, capital raising methods, private offerings and private lending, and day-to-day legal needs.

-Drafts and negotiates purchase agreements, financing documents, associated ancillary documents, and disclosure schedules and conducted due diligence for various business transactions.

Position	Organization	Location	Duration
Corporate Counsel	Red Robin International, Inc		2007-2012

School	Degree	Major	Graduation
Sturm College of Law, University of Denver	JD	Law School	2007
University of Colorado	MBA	Finance	2014
Gonzaga University	B.A.	Finance	2005

State / Court	Date
Colorado	2008

• Denver Bar Association
  Colorado Bar Association
  Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)
  Colorado Oil & Gas Association
  NAIOP Commercial Development Association

• US News & World Report Best Lawyers in America: 2022-2023
  Super Lawyers, Rising Star -2018,2019,2020,2021, 2023

Sun.	Mon.	Tue.	Wed.	Thu.	Fri.	Sat.
	9:00 am - 5:00 pm	9:00 am - 5:00 pm	9:00 am - 5:00 pm	9:00 am - 5:00 pm	9:00 am - 5:00 pm

• LinkedIn