TOM PLAKE | MANAGING SHAREHOLDER
tom.plake@plakelaw.com | 970.413.8700
Areas of Practice
Banking, Lending & Financing
Business & Corporate Law
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Estate Planning
International Law
Mergers & Acquisitions
Real Estate Law
Leadership, Experience & Insight
32+ years of trusted legal counsel for businesses and entrepreneurs.
Former General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer with international business experience.
Licensed in Colorado and Oklahoma, serving clients in complex business, financial, real estate, and international matters.
Tom serves clients throughout Colorado and Oklahoma from PLAKElaw's Estes Park office and advises businesses and individuals on a wide range of legal matters. Licensed in both Colorado and Oklahoma, Tom is admitted to practice before all state courts in Colorado and Oklahoma, the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Oklahoma, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
Tom earned his Bachelor of Arts in English in 1989 and his Juris Doctor in 1993, both from the University of Tulsa. During law school, he interned with the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals for the Honorable Daniel J. Boudreau, served as a member of the Energy Law Journal, and received American Jurisprudence Awards in both Legal Advocacy and Real Estate Transactions.
With more than 32 years of legal experience, Tom has represented both individual and institutional clients in matters ranging from routine business transactions to complex commercial disputes. In addition to private practice, he has held senior legal leadership roles within large corporations, providing strategic counsel on business operations, risk management, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance. Most recently, he served as General Counsel, Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer for an international equipment manufacturing company with operations and offices around the world.
Throughout his career, Tom has advised clients on domestic and international matters across North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. His experience spans business and corporate law, banking and finance, mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions, construction and EPC contracting, commercial litigation, and cross-border business matters. He has also lectured on contract negotiation, real estate transactions, international compliance programs, and U.S. sanctions regulations, and has been a frequent guest speaker at the University of Tulsa College of Law.
Tom is known for providing practical, business-minded legal counsel tailored to each client's goals. He believes effective legal representation requires not only technical knowledge, but also a clear understanding of the business and personal considerations that drive important decisions.
Outside the office, Tom enjoys fly fishing, hiking, camping, and motorcycling. He lives in Estes Park with his wife, Monica, co-founder of PLAKElaw, and their Miniature Schnauzer, Lily.
NOTABLE EXPERIENCE
Renewable Energy & Sustainability Projects Worldwide
Represented a major equipment manufacturer in renewable energy projects across North America and Europe, including renewable diesel conversion projects, green hydrogen facilities, waste-to-energy plants, and other initiatives focused on reducing emissions and advancing sustainable energy solutions.
International LNG, Refining & Energy Infrastructure Projects
Provided legal counsel for equipment and construction vendors on large-scale international projects, including LNG facilities, offshore platforms, refineries, and energy infrastructure developments in the United States, Qatar, Brazil, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and other jurisdictions.
National Fiber Optic Telecommunications Network
Served as Lead Counsel for construction and real estate matters related to the development of a 48,000+ mile fiber-optic telecommunications network spanning the United States, with international connections to Europe, South America, and Asia.
Complex Banking & Credit Facilities
Represented borrowers in negotiating and managing credit facilities ranging from $60 million to $140 million, including international letters of credit, bank guarantees, and project financing transactions.
International Real Estate & Facility Acquisitions
Advised clients on real estate acquisitions, financing, and facility development projects throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, India, Singapore, and other international markets.
Corporate Headquarters & Manufacturing Expansion Projects
Served as buyer's counsel in the acquisition of corporate headquarters campuses, manufacturing facilities, and multi-state office complexes, supporting business growth and expansion initiatives.
General Counsel & Executive Leadership Experience
Served as General Counsel and senior legal executive for multiple companies, overseeing complex legal, construction, commercial, financing, litigation, and international business matters while managing legal teams and outside counsel across the United States and internationally.