This week, The National Law Journal recognizes leading in-house legal departments in Colorado. We’ve spotlighted attorney teams that are setting standards in outside counsel management, corporate compliance, diversity in the profession, pro bono service and in handling really big deals. We’ve highlighted one company particularly talented in managing all those tasks — and in brewing beer. Other legal departments that we’ve selected in the Centennial State — representing the communications, satellite technology, medical devices and media industries — demonstrate innovative strategies in meeting the ever-changing legal demands of their businesses.

COLORADO IN-HOUSE LEGAL DEPARTMENT OF THE YEAR
MOLSON COORS BREWING CO.
As deputy general counsel at Molson Coors Brewing Co., Lee Reichert relies on a diverse team to handle global compliance demands.

FINALIST
UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE LLC
Working at United Launch Alliance LLC, is, in fact, rocket science, but its general counsel says that creating a first-class legal department isn’t.

BIG DEALS/MAJOR LITIGATION
DIGITALGLOBE INC.
When launching a merger with a rival in the U.S. satellite imaging market, the in-house legal team had to navigate challenges from a constellation of federal government interests.

CORPORATE COMPLIANCE
COCHLEAR AMERICAS CORP.
Corporate compliance policy is meaningless if employees don’t understand how it relates to their daily jobs, says general counsel Liza McKelvey.

DIVERSITY
LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS INC.
Look no further than Level 3 Communications Inc.’s legal department to see the results of their commitment to inclusiveness.