Kapnik, Stephen E.

Stephen Kapnik studied at seven universities, including Yale, where he earned a J.D. in 1976. Working with the Wounded Knee Legal Defense/Offense Committee on the Pine Ridge Sioux Indian Reservation fed his life-long goal to "seek justice justly."  He opened the first legal clinic in Colorado, serving the unmet needs of a specific niche -- the middle class.

Mr. Kapnik has more than twenty-eight years of trial and appellate practice in civil, criminal and matrimonial disputes, and complex litigation. He has represented clients before all levels of state and federal courts in Colorado and several other states, the federal Court of Claims in Washington, D.C., before federal and administrative agencies, and before “private courts” such as the NASD, the AAA, and other arbitrators.

Cost is a major impediment in using the courts to resolve disputes.  Stephen has extensive experience in helping clients evaluate and economically resolve their disputes, through mediation, arbitration, alternative dispute resolution, and trial.

Mr. Kapnik litigates disputes involving real property, civil rights and employment, personal injury, consumer protection, matrimonials, corporation finance (and dissolution) and securities, and mineral interest.

Mr. Kapnik was a founding director and officer of the Colorado Association of Non-Profit Organizations (CANPO, now the Colorado Nonprofit Association) and founding director and president of its for-profit subsidiary, CANPO Administrative Services, Inc. (now Nonprofit Resources); founding president and director of the Colorado Literacy Assistance Center; a founding director and officer of Kabbalah Experience, and a long-term officer and director of the Community Resource Center. Mr. Kapnik often advises non-profits on incorporation and obtaining 501(c)(3) status, board and employee relationships, leases, and other legal matters.