The Hon. Juan G. Villaseñor (Ret.) has joined FBT Gibbons as counsel in its Denver office, where he will practice with the firm’s Business & Commercial Litigation and White Collar & Investigations groups. A former Colorado district judge and federal prosecutor, Villaseñor brings a rare perspective shaped by more than two decades of legal experience, adding significant courtroom depth, judgment, and credibility to the firm’s growing litigation team in Colorado.
“Juan’s arrival reflects our continued investment in the Rocky Mountain Region and the caliber of the team we’re building here,” said John Kellogg, partner-in-charge of FBT Gibbons’ Denver office. “He’s spent years making the difficult decisions litigators ask courts to make. That first-hand experience further strengthens our team and brings an experienced approach that is difficult to replicate.”
During his eight years as a district judge in Colorado’s Eighth Judicial District, Villaseñor presided over complex civil, commercial, criminal, and probate matters, including more than 55 jury trials and thousands of bench trials and evidentiary hearings. He also authored several opinions involving electronic surveillance and DNA evidence and handled appeals from lower courts and administrative boards and commissions.
“I first got to know Juan while appearing before him in a highly contentious commercial dispute, and what stood out immediately was how he handled a difficult case with fairness, preparation, and sound judgment,” said Kevin Havelda, partner in the firm’s Business & Commercial Litigation practice. ““He is fair and exacting, and he understands difficult cases from a perspective few advocates have had. His insights into how judges evaluate complex legal issues, combined with his experiences with how juries respond to evidence and arguments, will continue to add dimension to our clients and will better inform how our team approaches complex disputes.”
Before taking the bench, Villaseñor served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Colorado, where he investigated, prosecuted, and tried civil and criminal matters involving the False Claims Act, commercial and financial claims, employment discrimination, constitutional law, and other federal issues. Throughout his career as an attorney and judicial officer, he has handled hundreds of appeals.
Appointed to the bench in 2018, Villaseñor was the first Latino to serve as a district court judge in Colorado’s Eighth Judicial District. He also presided over the district’s Wellness Court, working closely with prosecutors, defense counsel, probation officers, law enforcement, treatment providers, and mental health professionals through a multidisciplinary approach focused on accountability, public safety, and long-term outcomes.
“Spending eight years on the bench changed the way I think about litigation,” Villaseñor said. “You see firsthand which arguments resonate, where cases can lose focus, and how much judgment matters long before anyone enters a courtroom. I’m excited to bring that perspective back to practice and to join a team at FBT Gibbons that is building something meaningful in Denver.”
About FBT Gibbons
FBT Gibbons LLP is a national law firm focused on serving companies operating and investing in the middle market. With nearly 800 lawyers across 26 offices, the firm is positioned to support clients ranging from large multinationals to mid-sized businesses and growth-oriented startups across the United States. FBT Gibbons provides legal counsel enriched with valuable business and market context, particularly in corporate, litigation, and regulatory matters within the energy, finance, life sciences, and manufacturing sectors. The firm is committed to delivering excellent service to its clients, colleagues, and the communities in which it operates. To learn more, visit FBTGibbons.com.