Gilbert L. McSwain
April 2026
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In Memoriam is a complimentary service of the CBA honoring the lives and work of recently deceased members. Please email submissions to Susie Klein at sklein@cobar.org. High-resolution photos are appreciated.
Gilbert L. McSwain
September 16, 1934–November 23, 2025
Gilbert L. McSwain, a well-known Denver corporate and securities law attorney, passed away on November 23, 2025. Born on September 16, 1934, in Pond Creek, Oklahoma, to Bird Landis and Emerine McSwain, he was raised alongside his Uncle Bill by his grandmother Maud McSwain in Pond Creek. He graduated from Pond Creek Senior High School in May 1952 and thereafter enrolled at Oklahoma State University. After one year there, he entered active military service in the US Army in October 1953. He served in the Army as an ammunition storage specialist until August 11, 1955, having completed a tour of duty in Korea and receiving the National Defense Service Medal.
Gil then returned to Oklahoma State, where he met his wife, SuZanne, of Holdenville, Oklahoma, and they were married on September 1, 1957. He graduated in May 1958 and shortly thereafter he and SuZanne moved to Boulder, where he enrolled in the University of Colorado Law School. He had a distinguished law school career, serving as editor in chief of the CU Law Review and receiving several awards in recognition of his outstanding scholarship and academic excellence, including election to the Order of the Coif. He received his law degree in May 1961.
In 1961, Gil joined the law firm of Keller, Lohf, Roath, Murphy and Moran, and was made a partner shortly thereafter. The firm would later become Keller & McSwain, then Keller, McSwain, Wing & Maxfield, which eventually became Jones & Keller in 1991.
Throughout his career, Gil was the lead lawyer in taking dozens of companies public, with many being insurance holding companies. In 1980, his law firm took more companies public than any other firm in the United States. He also completed all types of securities and business transactions in representing issuers, investment bankers, sales agents, and selling shareholders, as well as boards of directors in a variety of securities matters, in going public and going private transactions and in mergers and acquisitions. He completed insurance company acquisitions in over 20 states. Gil was known for his country wisdom and humor and his uncanny ability to help clients understand how legal pitfalls were well worth avoiding.
Gil is survived by his wife, SuZanne; their children and spouses, Chris (Denise), Shawn Lisa, Scott (Becky), and Steven (Lori); his grandchildren, Brook (Chris) Panaranto, Kelly (Randall) Madison, Cody McSwain, Gabriel Carolan, Aine Carolan, and Ryan McSwain; and his great-grandchildren, Isabel Madison, Samantha Madison, and Megan McSwain.
The family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made in Gil’s name to Colorado Veterans Project or Colorado Legal Services.
Rest in peace, Gil. You were one of a kind.
—Submitted by Jones & Keller, P.C.
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