Have an announcement for Law Week Colorado’s people section? Let us know.
Law Firm Updates
Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell LLP announced Luke Ritchie joined the firm to launch its securities litigation and enforcement defense practice. Ritchie previously was a partner at Lewis Brisbois, Moye White and Jones & Keller. He focuses on securities and enforcement defense litigation, investigations and complex business disputes. Ritchie often is called on to lead and participate in joint defense efforts for firms.
Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP announced Dorothy Auth joined the firm as a partner in the technology transactions and intellectual property group. Auth’s expertise includes navigating complex patent litigation, providing intellectual property licensing, patent procurement and counseling services to her clients both domestically and internationally. Her practice covers biotechnology, FinTech, medical devices, consumer products, computers and other mechanical devices. She earned her law degree from St. John’s University School of Law.
Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP also announced Brandee Caswell, Zachary Detra and Jonathan Rauchway have joined the firm’s executive committee. Caswell leads the firm’s property rights group. She brings her experience in complex real estate advocacy and eminent domain to DGS clients. Detra is a partner in the corporate and business advisory group, where he also co-chairs one of the firm’s two departments. He represents clients in transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financings, joint ventures, private fund formation and investments, partnership and operating agreements, entity structuring and other commercial contracts. Rauchway is a partner and currently serves as the head of the environmental and public lands group. He defends class-action and mass-joinder lawsuits alleging environmental contamination based on common-law theories and represents plaintiffs and defendants in litigation involving the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act and related state statutes.
Sherman & Howard LLC announced the promotion of five attorneys to membership. Allison Burke, a member of the litigation, trials and appeals practice group, focuses her practice on insurance recovery and insurance litigation and helping policyholders obtain the coverage and benefits provided for in their insurance contracts. Kathryn DeVries, also a member of the litigation, trials and appeals practice group, focuses her practice on all aspects of family law and domestic relations. She assists clients in the context of divorce and legal separation, advising on a wide variety of private family-related matters. Christopher Haws, a member of the trusts and estates planning practice group, provides counsel on all aspects of estate planning, trust administration, business succession planning, and estate and gift tax, income, transfer and property tax matters. Casey Lekahal, a member of the public finance practice group, represents governmental entities, underwriters, banks and other participants in public finance transactions with a focus on financings for special taxing districts and the issuance of tax-exempt and limited-tax bonds to finance public improvements necessary to support development. Ryan Shaffer, also a member of the litigation, trials and appeals practice group, manages all aspects of commercial litigation, from initial case assessment through case administration, discovery and resolution via arbitration, mediation, written motions or trial.
Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP announced four new hires: Kevin Tibolt, Noah Simcoff, Jacqueline Parks and Connor Koval. Tibolt has become the newest member of the firm’s general corporate law and mergers and acquisitions groups. He advises his corporate clients on all aspects of corporate law, including choice of entity and entity formation, corporate governance and business planning. Simcoff’s experience includes advising clients on estate income tax matters, deadlines, elections, filing requirements and distribution requirements, as well as analyzing trust documents, client partnership agreements and estate planning materials. Parks’ practice focuses on general corporate law, venture capital financing and mergers and acquisitions. Her experience includes advising clients on choice of entity, business formation, strategic planning, equity financing and more. Koval was a former district attorney in Colorado’s 1st Judicial District and has tried 47 jury trials as a criminal trial lawyer prior to entering private practice.
The Judiciary
The 16th Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet on Feb. 27 to interview and select nominees for appointment to the office of county judge for Otero County. The vacancy will be created by the retirement of Judge Douglas Manley. The vacancy will occur on May 1. The completed application must be e-mailed to [email protected] no later than 4 p.m. on Feb. 12. Late applications won’t be considered. Any person wishing to suggest a candidate to fill the vacancy may send a letter to any member of the nominating commission, with a copy to the ex officio chair, no later than 4 p.m. on Feb. 5.
The 12th Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet Feb. 26 to interview and select nominees for appointment to the office of county judge for Mineral County. The May 1 vacancy will be created by the retirement of Judge Ruth Acheson. The completed application must be e-mailed to [email protected] no later than 4 p.m. on Feb. 13. Late applications won’t be considered. Any person wishing to suggest a candidate to fill the vacancy may send a letter to any member of the nominating commission, with a copy to the ex officio chair, no later than 4 p.m. on Feb. 6.
On Jan. 11 and effective immediately, the Colorado Supreme Court adopted an amendment to Comment 14 to Rule 1.2 to reflect the state’s regulated legalization of psilocybin and certain other substances through the Colorado Natural Medicine Act of 2022 and related measures. Because the act allows the legal use of certain substances that remain unlawful under federal law, the amendment adds a reference to the Natural Medicine Act in the so-called “marijuana comment” to Rule 1.2 to provide guidance to lawyers advising clients on compliance with state law.
Kudos
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck announced shareholder Jack Hobaugh in the firm’s corporate and business department was appointed to a two-year term as chair of the International Association of Policy Professionals KnowledgeNet Denver chapter. In his role, Hobaugh will help the IAPP build the privacy profession in Denver through educational and networking opportunities. Hobaugh combines his global software, database and network engineering experience with his legal practice to focus on technology transactions, cybersecurity law and privacy law. He uses his experience serving as a data protection officer and an incident response team member to provide legal and cybersecurity guidance to his clients. His work includes privacy trainings, regulatory inquiries and negotiating privacy and security agreements.
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck also announced policy advisor Jia Meeks, in the firm’s government relations department, was recognized with the January 2024 Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Award on Jan. 19. The award honors individuals throughout the Denver metropolitan area who make unique contributions to the community. Additionally, recipients receive a $2,000 cash award to give to a nonprofit agency of their choice. Meeks was recognized for his commitment to and partnership with WeeCycle, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide diapers and recycled essential baby gear for families in need.
Miscellaneous
Attorney registration is in process, so if you haven’t completed your registration for 2024, the deadline for registration without a late fee is Feb. 28.