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Law firm updates
Sloane Whelan, a senior policy advisor in Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck’s Denver office, joined the board of directors of Focus Points Family Resource Center, according to an Aug. 20 announcement from the firm. The center is a nonprofit organization that provides families with resources and tools to build their future. As part of her three-year term, Whelan will support the organization’s mission through strategic planning, programmatic oversight and fiduciary responsibilities and as a goodwill ambassador.
The judiciary
Gov. Jared Polis on Aug. 15 appointed Dina Christiansen to the 13th Judicial District Court, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Charles Hobbs, effective Oct. 2. Christiansen is a district court magistrate in the 8th Judicial District, a position she’s held since 2019. Previously, she was a sole practitioner at The Christiansen Law Firm, LLC from 2017 to 2019, a partner at Wabeke, Brummet, Johnson & Christiansen from 2006 to 2017 and an attorney at Kingsford Law Offices, LLC from 2004 to 2006. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in 1989 and her J.D. from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, William S. Boyd School of Law in 2004.
On Aug. 16, Polis appointed JenniLynn Lawrence to the 21st Judicial District Court, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Valerie Robison. The appointment will be effective Sept. 28. Lawrence is a Montezuma County Court judge in the 22nd Judicial District, a position she’s held since 2010. Her docket consists of criminal matters, according to the announcement. Previously, she was a sole practitioner at JenniLynn Everett Lawrence, LLC in 2010, shareholder at Schwed McGinley Kahle in 2010, senior litigation attorney at Katzman Garfinkel Rosenbaum from 2008 to 2010, litigation attorney at Becker Poliakoff in 2008, litigation attorney at Beasley Hauser Kramer Leonard & Galardi, P.A. from 2007 to 2008, litigation attorney at Shand, Newbold & Chapman, P.C. in 2006, litigation attorney at Page, Mrachek, Fitzgerald & Rose, P.A. from 2000 to 2005, senior staff attorney for the 15th Judicial Circuit Court in Florida from 1999 to 2000, attorney at Palm Beach County School District in Florida in 1999 and associate attorney at Shindell & Shindell in Wisconsin in 1998. Lawrence earned her bachelor’s degree from Fort Lewis College in 1989 and her J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1997.