People

Nicholas M. Clabbers

Associate

Denver Office
303.825.7000

Education

J.D., University of Colorado School of Law, 2015
B.S., magna cum laude, Pennsylvania State University, 2010
B.A., cum laude, Pennsylvania State University, 2010; Schreyer Honors Scholar (University Honors Program)

Bar and Court Admissions

Colorado
District of Columbia
Pennsylvania
United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

Nicholas M. Clabbers

Nick Clabbers focuses his practice on the representation of public and private entities on a wide range of airport matters.  Nick regularly counsels airport sponsors on matters concerning compliance with federal regulations and grant obligations, including issues of airport revenue use, real estate and land use, unjust economic discrimination, and exclusive rights.  He has represented numerous airport sponsors in proceedings before the Federal Aviation Administration and courts on matters of grant compliance, environmental reviews, and airport development.  Nick assists airports with the development and implementation of airport governance documents, and has significant experience drafting and negotiating use and lease agreements and airport development agreements.  Nick is also heavily involved in industry education and counseling of airports on the issues surrounding the use aircraft firefighting foam containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and frequently speaks and writes on other topics of importance to airports.  Previously, Nick served in two different legal positions at the United States Environmental Protection Agency, where he worked on several different matters concerning the Clean Air Act and renewable fuel standards, and worked for more than two years as a wilderness therapy instructor.

Representative Experience

Rental Car Bankruptcy Consortia
Representing consortia of over twenty airport sponsors in ongoing Hertz Corporation and Advantage Rent-A-Car bankruptcy proceedings

Telluride Regional Airport Authority
Serving as outside general counsel to the Authority, advising on contractual matters, utility easements, compliance with grant obligations, and corporate governance

Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority
Representing the Authority on a variety of regulatory and transactional matters, including development of a rates and charges ordinance and new minimum standards, negotiation of non-aeronautical development agreements, and compliance with federal grant obligations

Public Airport Sponsors
In multiple instances as outside counsel, conducted audit and investigation of internal practices and incidents at major public airports to address potential grant assurance and/or regulatory compliance concerns

City of Chicago, Illinois
Successfully represented the City of Chicago in federal and state inverse condemnation litigation surrounding the expansion and development of O’Hare International Airport

City and County of Denver, Colorado
Assisting with the representation of the City and County of Denver in litigation related to the intergovernmental agreement that led to the creation of the Denver International Airport

City of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Successfully represented the City in federal district court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in a case involving the City’s planned construction of a new bus rapid transit system following Route 66

City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Successfully represented the City in 14 CFR Part 16 administrative proceeding concerning allegation of exclusive rights violation, and presently representing the City as an intervenor in the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on appeal of the matter

Monterey Bay Aquarium
Provided pro bono representation to the Monterey Bay Aquarium in filing an amicus curiae brief in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in support of a federal regulation requiring monitoring and recordkeeping for imported seafood, which was later upheld

Professional and Civic Activities / Awards

  • Head Ride Ambassador and Board Member, Boulder Cycling Club (2015–2018)
  • Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Scholar (2014–2015)
  • Energy and Mineral Law Foundation Scholar (2014–2015)
  • Founder and Co-Chair, Orientation Leadership Program (2013)
  • University of Colorado School of Law Client Counseling Competition Winner (2012)

News & Publications

Presentations

What is the FAA Section 163 Process and What Does It Mean for Airport Development?
AAAE Airport Land & Retail Development Workshop
04.26.22
Air Service Update
AAAE Northeast Chapter Annual Conference
08.23.21
36th Annual Aiport Law Workshop
10.08.20
View All Presentations

Publications

Airport Law Alerts and Semi-annual Airport Law Digests
Editor
2015–Present
Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell
2015–Present
View All Publications

News

View All News

Education

J.D., University of Colorado School of Law, 2015
B.S., magna cum laude, Pennsylvania State University, 2010
B.A., cum laude, Pennsylvania State University, 2010; Schreyer Honors Scholar (University Honors Program)

Bar and Court Admissions

Colorado
District of Columbia
Pennsylvania
United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia