Ballard Spahr LLP

Partner

Damon O. Barry is the Managing Partner of Ballard Spahr's Denver and Boulder offices and is a member of the firm's Senior Leadership Team. As an experienced M&A and government affairs attorney, Damon solves problems for his clients and assists companies with complex business and legal transactions.

He advises and represents both buyers and sellers in mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations, and sophisticated commercial transactions. Damon’s clients include directors and executives of public companies, owners of closely held companies, executives and directors of government agencies and others in a wide range of industries including software and technology, retail, hospitality, food and beverage, real estate, cannabis, financial services, government and manufacturing. He also advises professional athletes and coaches on sports law matters.

A former in-house counsel, Damon routinely advises corporate legal departments as well as serves as outside general counsel for middle-market companies.

Damon spent more than a decade at a publicly traded, multinational corporation where he served as Vice President of Business Affairs, Assistant General Counsel (Deputy), and Corporate Secretary. In that role, he advised the executive team and provided oversight on the operational and legal aspects of all business operations, including corporate growth strategies, corporate governance, and oversight of regional operations in Europe and Central and Latin America. In this position, Damon played a key role in a number of mergers, acquisitions, and commercial transactions exceeding $3.5 billion in value.

Damon is a Co-Leader of the firm's Cannabis, Psychedelics, and Emerging Therapies Team. In that role, he provides strategic advice to organizations as they navigate the patchwork of state and federal laws governing cannabis and psychedelics use.

Association for Corporate Growth (Denver Chapter)

National Bar Association

Sam Cary Bar Association

Governor Ritter's Economic Development and International Trade Transition Advisory Committee (former member, gubernatorial appointee)

State of Colorado Statutory Advisory Committee to the Property Tax Administrator (former chair, gubernatorial appointee)

Recognition & Accomplishments

The Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law (Denver), 2025, 2026

Distinguished Alumnus Award, University of Nebraska College of Law

The Legal 500 US, mergers and acquisitions – middle-market (sub-$500m), 2017-2019

Colorado Titan 100, Honoree, 2026

Forty under 40 honoree, Denver Business Journal

2010 Alumni Master, Nebraska Alumni Association

"30 Leaders of the Future," Ebony magazine

Recognized as a "Colorado Producer" by Wells Fargo bank for professional and civic achievements

Board Memberships & Community Service

Trustee, University of Nebraska Foundation

Trustee, The Denver Foundation

Board of Director, National Association of Corporate Directors (Colorado Chapter)

Trustee, Mile High United Way

Board of Director, Goodwill of Colorado

Denver Metropolitan Major League Baseball Stadium District (gubernatorial appointee)

Culture Subcommittee of the Governors’ Emergency Council for Economic Stability and Growth

Past President, Middle Western, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Member, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

University of Nebraska College of Law (J.D. 2000)

University of Washington (B.A. 1994) Member of varsity football team that made three consecutive Rose Bowl appearances and won the 1991 National Championship All PAC-10 Academic Team

Admissions

Colorado