The Colorado Judicial Institute announced the recipients of its 18th Annual Judicial Excellence Awards, who will be recognized at a virtual celebration Oct. 7, at 5 p.m. The event will recognize five judicial officers for their outstanding service on the bench as well as raise critical money for CJI’s Judicial Education Fund.
This event honors the excellence that is found every day in our state’s judiciary. This year, the CJI congratulates:
- District Court Judge Larry Schwartz of the 10th Judicial District
- County Court Presiding Judge Theresa Spahn of Denver County
- Magistrate Jami Vigil of the 4th Judicial District
- Chief Justice Nathan Coats, of the Colorado Supreme Court
- Judge Robert Hawthorne (retired), of the Colorado Court of Appeals
CJI will also recognize the efforts of Colorado’s court system during the COVID-19 crisis with a special award to the Chief Judges Council which has been leading the response.
LATERAL WATCH
Davis Graham & Stubbs announced Wednesday that Mark Champoux has rejoined the firm as a partner in the trial department after serving as principal deputy assistant attorney general at the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Policy since January 2018.
At DGS, Champoux will draw on his government and private practice experience to help clients in litigation, enforcement and regulatory challenges.
“We are pleased Mark is returning to DGS,” said DGS co-managing partner Chad Williams. “The breadth of his experience in the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., will enhance our ability to serve existing and prospective clients across a range of sectors.”
At DOJ, Champoux was a primary policy advisor to the attorney general and coordinated priority legal initiatives across the department and throughout the executive branch relating to regulations, emerging technologies, data privacy, national security, law enforcement and firearms, among other issues.
He also supervised DOJ’s work in supporting federal judicial nominations, preparing nominees for confirmation by the Senate and overseeing DOJ’s work to secure the confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Champoux was previously a trial partner at DGS, where he litigated complex disputes in subject matters, including natural resources, energy, securities, real estate and products liability.
Champoux received a law degree from Harvard Law School and a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University. He previously served as a law clerk to then-Judge Neil Gorsuch of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit.
FIRM PROMOTIONS
Merchant & Gould announced the promotion of David Harrell and Michael Wagner to partner, effective July 1.
Harrell is a registered patent attorney whose practice areas include software and information technology, computer technology, and Internet-related technologies. He specializes in patent preparation and prosecution, infringement analysis and global IP portfolio development. Harrell’s technical areas include programming, software analysis and development, operating systems and database design and implementation.
Wagner is a registered patent attorney with an emphasis on patent prosecution, post-grant proceedings, licensing, opinions, litigation and due diligence. He focuses on strategically acquiring and protecting intellectual property rights that fit the individual needs of his clients, which range from large international companies to local inventors.
JUDICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
The 18th Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet via videoconference on Aug. 24 to interview and select nominees for an 18th Judicial District judgeship. The vacancy will be created by the retirement of Judge John Wheeler. The vacancy will occur on Jan. 12.
Application forms are available from the office of the ex officio chair of the nominating commission, Justice William Hood III, at 2 E. 14th Ave. in Denver and the office of the court executive, Shaun Clarkat 7325 S. Potomac Street in Centennial. Applications also are available on the court’s home page at http://www.courts.state.co.us/Careers/Judge.cfm
Applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. Aug. 7. Any person wishing to suggest a candidate to fill the vacancy may do so by 4 p.m. July 31.
The members of the nominating commission for the 18th Judicial District are: Adelita DeHerrera of Aurora, Delford Philips of Denver, Christopher Richardson of Elizabeth, Michael Yowell of Hugo, Stephen Burg of Lone Tree, and Troy Porras of Parker. The commission currently has one vacancy.
The 22nd Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet via videoconference on Aug. 25 to interview and select nominees for appointment by the governor to the office of county judge for Dolores County. The vacancy will be created by the retirement of Judge E. Dale Boyd. The vacancy will occur on Oct. 13.
Application forms are available from the office of the ex officio chair of the nominating commission, Justice Carlos Samour Jr., 2 E. 14th Ave. in Denver, CO 80203; and the office of the court executive, Eric Hogue, 409 N. Main in Dolores. Applications also are available on the court’s home page at http://www.courts.state.co.us/Careers/Judge.cfm
Applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. Aug. 7. Any person wishing to suggest a candidate to fill the vacancy may do so by 4 p.m. July 31, 2020.
The members of the nominating commission for the 22nd Judicial District are: Kinsey Ertel, Keenen Lovett and Daniel Porter, all of Cortez; Larry Suckla of Dolores; and Erin Johnson of Rico. The commission currently has two vacancies.