Summary
For Zane, litigation has been the foundation of his legal career from the very beginning. He was drawn to the practice by the challenge of solving complex problems and helping clients navigate difficult situations. Whether a matter involves a business dispute, regulatory investigation, or emerging legal issue, Zane enjoys digging into unfamiliar industries, developing creative strategies, and finding practical solutions to high-stakes challenges.
Representing businesses, financial institutions, executives, entrepreneurs, and individuals, Zane assists clients in complex litigation, government investigations, and regulatory enforcement matters. His practice spans a broad range of industries, reflecting his belief that effective litigators are ultimately problem-solvers first. Clients rely on him to analyze intricate legal and business issues, manage risk, and advocate for their interests when the stakes are highest.
Business Litigation
Zane represents clients in complex business and investment disputes in state and federal courts, as well as arbitration proceedings. His experience includes matters involving investor fraud, securities claims, corporate governance disputes, trade secret misappropriation, business torts, misrepresentation, and consumer protection issues.
From startups and closely held businesses to established companies, Zane has represented clients across the financial services, health care, real estate, cannabis, and technology sectors. While he has handled matters throughout the country, he regularly practices before courts and arbitration panels in Colorado and Wyoming.
Financial Services Litigation
Zane advises banks, credit unions, fintech companies, and other financial services providers in litigation and regulatory matters. He represents clients in disputes involving wire and check fraud, unauthorized funds transfers, lending and depository account issues, consumer class actions, and allegations of unfair or deceptive business practices.
Zane’s work combines litigation experience with a practical understanding of the regulatory and operational challenges facing financial institutions, allowing him to provide counsel that aligns with both legal obligations and business objectives.
Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement Actions
Clients frequently seek Zane’s guidance when facing regulatory scrutiny or navigating complex compliance requirements. He advises businesses and individuals on matters involving banking, securities, consumer protection, and other regulatory frameworks.
Zane has represented clients in investigations and enforcement actions brought by state and federal agencies, helping them respond to inquiries, manage risk, and develop strategies to resolve disputes efficiently and effectively.
Emerging Markets
Drawing on his experience in highly regulated sectors, Zane regularly advises clients operating in emerging and rapidly evolving industries. He helps businesses understand how existing legal and regulatory frameworks apply to new technologies, products, and business models.
Zane’s experience includes counseling companies involved in cannabis, hemp, digital assets, and financial technology. He has assisted financial institutions in developing cannabis banking and lending programs, advised fintech companies on payments-related regulations, represented licensed cannabis operators in litigation and regulatory proceedings, and counseled digital asset businesses on compliance and operational issues.
Appeals
Zane has successfully represented clients before state and federal appellate courts, including the Colorado Supreme Court, the Colorado Court of Appeals, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
His appellate work has resulted in favorable decisions on significant jurisdictional, procedural, and administrative law issues, including matters involving agency action and governmental authority.
Known for his energy, curiosity, and collaborative approach, Zane brings the same level of commitment to every matter, whether he is guiding a client through a bet-the-company dispute, defending against a government investigation, or helping businesses navigate legal questions in rapidly evolving industries. His goal remains the same: helping clients solve difficult problems and move forward with confidence.
Awards
Honoree, Best Lawyers in America®, Corporate Compliance Law (2026)
Honoree, Colorado Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Business Litigation (2019 – 2023)
All Service Areas
Education
- University of Wyoming College of Law
- J.D.
- Order of the Coif
- Wyoming Law Review, Contributing Staff
- University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
- B.A., Political Science
- magna cum laude
Admissions
- State - Colorado
- Federal - Colorado District Court
- Federal - District of Columbia District Court
- State - Wyoming
- Federal - Wyoming District Court
- Federal - U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- Federal - U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
Speeches and Publications
Publications
- “The Mining Industry Should Not Ignore ESG,” Engineering and Mining Journal, June 2023
- “Marijuana Investment Lawsuits Are on the Rise: Steps Marijuana Entities and Investors Can Take to Mitigate the Risks,” Cannabis Law Journal, July 2020
- “Defenses for CBD Companies Sued for False Labeling, Advertising,” Bloomberg Law, March 2020
- “BNA Insights: The Financial Industry Should Be Wary of Rule Limiting Arbitration Provisions,” Bloomberg BNA, June 2016
- “Key Considerations for Financial Institutions’ Cybersecurity Preparedness,” Clarks’ Bank Deposits and Payments Monthly, January 2016
- “CFPB Takes Aim at Class Action Waivers in Arbitration,” BankDirector.com, November 2015
- “BNA Insights: Navigating CFPB’s Consumer Complaint Process,” Bloomberg BNA, November 2015
- “Does the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Have Regulatory Authority Over You?,” August 2015
- “‘Legalized’ Marijuana: A Banking Compliance Conundrum,” BNA News, 2015
- “Predicting the Top Financial Industry Litigation and Compliance Issues in 2015,” Bloomberg BNA, 2014.
- “Data Breaches: What the Financial Industry Needs to Know,” The Independent Report, 2014
- “The Rocky Relationship Between the General Counsel and the Corporate Compliance Officer,” American Bar Association’s Litigation Publication, 2014
- Top 5 Things Financial Institutions Must Do Before Providing Services to the Marijuana Industry,” Bloomberg BNA, 2014
- “Understanding the Challenges of Consolidating the General Counsel and Corporate Compliance Officer,” Inside Counsel, 2014
- “Cannabis Credit Co-Ops Won’t Solve Pot Banking Dilemma,” Law360, 2014
- “Colorado’s Marijuana Financial System Unlikely to Solve Pot Banking Dilemma,” Bloomberg BNA, 2014
- “Smoking Out the Compliance Challenges in the Wake of Marijuana Legalization,” ABA Bank Compliance, 2014
- “Financial Industry Should Remain Cautious Despite Marijuana Banking Guidance,” Bloomberg BNA, 2014
- “The Legalized Marijuana Industry’s Evolution Is an Exercise in Banking Compliance,” Bloomberg BNA, 2014
- “Compliance Pitfalls of Business of Pot,” Law Week Colorado, 2014
Presentations
- Independent Community Bankers of Colorado, 10th Annual BSA/AML Mile High Summit, “AML & Sanctions Enforcement Trends & Developments”, July 15, 2025
- “Cannabis Banking,” Panel Discussion, Accelerate 24, Minnesota Credit Union Network, April 2024
- “Trends in the Evolving Digital Asset Ecosystem” BSA/AML Mile High Summit, July 2023
- “Banking and the Cannabis Industry,” NACHA – Smarter Faster Payments 2023, May 2023
- “Marijuana and Hemp Banking: Navigating the Legal and Regulatory Challenges,” Bankers’ Bank of the West Webinar, May 13, 2020
- “Challenges and Opportunities in the ‘Next Normal,'” ACC Colorado Webinar, May 5, 2020
- “Prepaid Compliance in a Crisis & Beyond,” Innovative Payments Association, April 30, 2020
- Presenter, “COVID-19 ‘Reopening’ Best practices,” Independent Bankers of Colorado Webinar, April 24, 2020
- “How High is the Risk? Banking the Legal Cannabis Industry,” ICBA Live, March 2020
- “Banking with Hemp” Webinar, Colorado Bankers Association, January 2020
- “Adapting to the Rapidly Changing Compliance Landscape Involving Marijuana and Marijuana-Related Businesses,” ACAMs Webinar, November 2019
- Moderator, “Cannabis Panel,” the Trigild Fall Lender Conference, October 2019
- “Marijuana and Hemp Legalization,” Farm Credit Counsel, September 2019
- “How High is the Risk? Banking the Legal Cannabis Industry,” Independent Community Bankers Association Lead Forward Summit, September 2019
- “Legal Implications,” Colorado Bankers Association Marijuana & Banking Conference, August 2019
- “Hemp/Marijuana Banking Update,” Colorado Bankers Association’s Community Banker Council, May 2019
- “Hemp Legalization: What Your Financial Institution Needs to Know,” Colorado Chapter of ACAMs, April 2019
- “CFPB Enforcement Action Trends and Predictions,” Western Bankers Association Webinar, November 2018
- “Cannabis and Banking,” BKD Financial Services Symposium: Colorado, November 2018
- “Cannabis and Banking,” The Colorado Bankers Association’s “State of Banking on the Western Slope” Conference, November 2018
- “Legal Implications of Doing Business with the Marijuana Industry,” Business Law Institute, September 2018
- “National Cannabis Summit: Banking Considerations,” Colorado Bankers Association, August 2018
- “Emerging Risk Areas in Bank Litigation,” Colorado Bankers Association Annual Summit, May 2018
- “Insurance for the Legalized Marijuana Industry,” podcast, October 2017
- “Hot Trends in Industrial Development-Marijuana and Commercial Real Estate,” CREW National Convention, October 2016
- “Emerging Litigation & Compliance Issues Concerning Marijuana, CFPB and Data Security”, Colorado Bankers Association, January 2016
- “Marijuana in Colorado: Advanced Tax, Legal and Accounting Considerations,” December 2015
- “CFPB and Other State and Federal Regulatory Updates,” September 2015
- “Managing Risk in Providing Depository Services to Marijuana Related Businesses and Other Cash Intensive Businesses,” Stinson Leonard Street Banking Seminar and Federal Regulators Panel/Seminar and Webinar, 2015
- “Marijuana, Gambling, Virtual Currencies and Payday Lending: How the Financial Industry Can Avoid the Compliance Pitfalls” live webinar, 2014