"The Tabor Center is one of the top five properties in Denver," says Todd Wheeler, senior director at Cushman & Wakefield, who handled the transaction. "Even though in many areas job growth has been negative, demand is still high for hot properties. The space is commensurate with the quality of the firm and its reputation."

Townsend's Denver office continues to grow in spite of the sluggish economy. When attorney Lesley Craig opened the office in 1995, it occupied 3,000 sf. Today, the firm leases 20,510 sf. By taking over the Enron space, it doubled its size.

"In a time when most law firms have experienced a revolving door, with one exception, we have had zero attorney turnover since 1995," Craig says.

Originally founded in the 1860s and operating under the Townsend name since 1906, Townsend, Townsend and Crew LLP focuses on intellectual property law, teaming with inventors, entrepreneurs, scientists and investors to protect their innovative products and ideas.

The firm offers a full range of intellectual property, prosecution and litigation services, with additional expertise in antitrust and other complex business litigation issues.

With offices in San Francisco, Palo Alto, Walnut Creek, Denver and Seattle, Townsend has more than 150 attorneys, about 20 of them in Denver.

Many of the attorneys hold advanced technical degrees and extensive scientific and business experience.