Philip Cole Finegan II (born 1956) is an American lawyer who served as the United States attorney for the District of Colorado from 2021 to 2024. He served as Denver's city attorney and chief of staff to then Denver mayor John Hickenlooper from 2003 through 2006. He was also the regional managing partner of the Americas for Hogan Lovells and managing partner of the law firm's Denver office.

Early life and education

Finegan was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and attended Cascia Hall Preparatory School. He attended the University of Notre Dame from 1974 to 1978, earning a degree in English. After graduating, Finegan worked full-time as chief legislative assistant and then chief of staff to U.S. Representative James R. Jones of Oklahoma, chair of the House Budget Committee. While working, Finegan also attended Georgetown University Law Center and graduated in 1986. He served as a member of The Tax Lawyer law review.Doyle, Patrick. "Life According to … Cole Finegan." 5280 magazine. April 2011.

Political career

While working for U.S. Representative James R. Jones, Finegan managed his 1984 re-election and his bid for the U.S. Senate in 1986. Finegan was campaign manager for mayoral candidate Norm Early, who lost the 1991 election to Wellington Webb. From 1991 to 1993, Finegan served both as chief legal counsel and director of policy and initiatives for Colorado Governor Roy Romer.

From 2003 through 2006, Finegan served as Denver's city attorney and as chief of staff to mayor John Hickenlooper. He also served as finance chair for Bennet's 2016 re-election campaign and was a co-chair of Hickenlooper's re-election campaign.Gardner, Natasha; Hatlestad, Luc, and Potter, Maximillian. "The 5280 50." 5280 magazine. December 2011. He was one of four Colorado finance co-chairs for President Barack Obama's 2012 re-election campaign.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado

On September 28, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Finegan to be the United States attorney for the District of Colorado. On November 4, 2021, his nomination was reported out of committee by voice vote. On November 19, 2021, his nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate via voice vote. He was sworn into office on December 1, 2021, by Judge Christine Arguello. He resigned on May 31, 2024, to return to the private sector.

Legal career

Brownstein Hyatt Farber

Tom Strickland and Andy Loewi recruited Finegan in early 1987 to join Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck (then Brownstein Hyatt Farber & Madden), a national law firm based in Denver. From 1993 to 2003, Finegan was a partner in the Denver office and advised on land use, regulatory, municipal, legislative, and election law.

Hogan Lovells

Finegan joined Hogan Lovells (then Hogan & Hartson) in 2007 as a partner. He became managing partner of Hogan Lovells' Denver office in May 2007, and focused his practice on public-private partnerships, regulatory issues, land use and development, and legislative and public policy law. In May 2013, Finegan was elected to the Hogan Lovells board as the representative for the Americas."Hogan Lovells Elects Cole Finegan and Dan González to Its Board." The Lawyer. May 8, 2013. From 2014 to 2020, Finegan served as the managing partner for the Americas for Hogan Lovells.

Finegan was selected as a "Lawyer of the Decade" by Law Week Colorado;Masich, Matt. “Lawyers of the Decade.” Law Week Colorado. March 14, 2011, volume 9, number 11. as Lawyer of the Year 2013; and was also named one of the most influential people in Denver by 5280 magazine."Kelly Brough Meets Her Match at 'I Have a Dream’ Roast.'" The Colorado Statesman. October 11, 2011.

The Anschutz Corporation

Finegan is executive vice president and general counsel of The Anschutz Corporation.

Affiliations

Finegan chaired the board of directors of the Downtown Denver Partnership,"Downtown Denver Partnership Outlines Six Priorities for Coming Year.". The Denver Post. July 18, 2012. and served on the board for Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce,"2012-2013 Board of Directors". Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved July 22, 2013. The Children's Hospital,"Children’s Hospital Colorado Board of Directors." Children’s Hospital Colorado. Retrieved July 22, 2013. The Denver Foundation,"People on the Move." The Colorado Springs Business Journal. February 10, 2012. Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce,"People on the Move." Denver Business Journal. September 13, 2010. and Teach for America."Advisory Board." Teach for America. Retrieved July 22, 2013. He also served as a member of the Colorado Forum and Quarterly Forum."Members." The Economic Club of Colorado. Retrieved July 22, 2013.

Finegan also served on the board for Denver Public Schools Foundation board of directors"Hogan Lovells’ Chief Cole Finegan Is a Guest Bartender Tonight." Law Week Colorado. Retrieved July 7, 2010. and is also a past member of the Colorado I Have A Dream Foundation."Finegan Named City Attorney" The Denver Post. September 10, 2003. the Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado board of directors,"Campaign Volunteers." Legal Aid Foundation. Retrieved July 22, 2013. In the higher education sphere, he served on the State Board of Agriculture, the State Board of Colleges, and the Auraria Higher Education Center board.

References