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Law Firm Updates
Holland & Hart LLP announced the expansion of its immigration practice with the addition of partners Chris Thomas, Ann Lee and Samantha Wolfe. Thomas works with executives, operational leaders and talent management teams to help companies with global mobility programs, as well as securing employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant visas. Lee works with companies on employment-based non-immigrant and immigrant visas. Wolfe handles non-immigrant employment visa petitions as well as Permanent Labor Certifications and petitions for employer-sponsored immigrant visas.
Greenberg Traurig, LLP announced Skip Smith has joined the firm’s Denver office as chair of the space and satellite industry group. Smith, who served as director of space law at Space Command and chief of space law for the U.S. Air Force, will be a shareholder in the government contracts practice. Smith’s practice covers space law including litigation, contracts, regulation and transactional work. He has taught space law as an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado Law School and the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Smith is a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate and received his law degree from the George Washington University Law School. He also earned a Master of Laws and doctorate from the Institute of Air and Space Law at McGill University.
Coan, Payton & Payne LLC announced the addition of attorney Brett Busch to its Greeley office. Busch is a litigation attorney and his practice focuses on real estate and business litigation and related issues. He is a member of the Colorado and Larimer County bar associations. Brett was on the board of directors of the Workers’ Compensation Education Association, an organization dedicated to preserving and expanding the rights of injured workers. Busch received his undergraduate degree from Colorado State University in business finance and his law degree from Washburn University School of Law.
Arnold & Porter announced a seven-lawyer team, including six partners and one counsel, has joined the firm in its Chicago, Denver and New York offices. One new partner will be joining the Denver office. Randy Miller joins s a partner in the commercial litigation group. His experience includes assisting clients with business disputes, including M&A litigation, contract and commercial trade disputes and corporate governance and control issues. He earned his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law.
Womble Bond Dickinson LLP announced partner Ana Gutiérrez was appointed the new leader of the firm’s environmental team. Her practice involves guiding companies in environmental compliance programs, ecological initiatives and transactional due diligence concerning a variety of environmental issues. These issues encompass areas regulated by the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration regulations, as well as other federal environmental statutes and regulations. She is actively involved with the Colorado Pledge to Diversity program, a nonprofit organization committed to promoting diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace.
Ogletree Deakins announced a new associate, Kaitlin Spittell, to its Denver office. Spittell’s practice focuses on labor, employment and public entity defense. She represents clients on employment law matters, including discrimination and retaliation, reasonable accommodations, disciplinary actions, compensation and benefits and various types of contracts which include employment agreements, severance agreements and stock/employee benefit agreements. Kaitlin earned her law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
Moye White LLP announced the appointment of Patrick Hickey as its new general counsel. In this position, Hickey will provide legal counsel to the firm’s leadership team and oversee compliance matters. His responsibilities will include providing guidance on best practices for lawyer ethics and professional conduct, business operations and compliance. Hickey, a litigation attorney, earned his law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. He has experience as a commercial and real estate litigator, representing clients in a variety of industries including advanced energy, real estate, construction, private equity and shareholder disputes.
Moye White LLP also announced the addition of Lilly Lentz to the firm’s alternative dispute resolution, construction, employment and litigation practice groups. As a commercial litigator and trial attorney, Lentz’s practice focuses on construction and real estate law, including partition actions, quiet title cases, failure to disclose claims and construction defects. She works with owners, developers, general contractors and subcontractors, handling disputes related to AIA contracts, easements, fraudulent transfers, mechanic’s liens, commercial leases, homeowners associations and matters concerning insurance coverage. She earned her law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
Messner Reeves LLP announced new attorneys were named partners. Darren Alberti, Austin Gemmell, Matthew George and Margaret Gray were all named partner in the firm’s Denver office. Alberti focuses on appellate and complex litigation. He graduated from Georgetown University and attended the University of Colorado Law School. Gemmell is a member of the firm’s corporate group and focuses his work on advising clients on business transactions primarily in the hospitality industry including business entity formation and restructuring or buyouts, asset sales and leasing and more. He earned his law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. George is a member of the firm’s litigation group and focuses his practice on civil defense, including in the areas of professional negligence, personal injury and complex commercial litigation. He earned his law degree from the University of Colorado. Gray focuses her practice in the areas of health care, compliance, professional liability and complex litigation. She defends medical and mental health providers against licensure grievances as well as health information privacy and security complaints. She earned her law degree from the University of Colorado Law School. For the firm’s Greenwood Village office, R.J. Ertmer was named partner. He represents clients in real estate and corporate transactions. Many of his clients are in the retail, restaurant and hospitality industries. Ertmer earned his law degree at Florida Coastal School of Law.
The Judiciary
The 4th Judicial District Recovery Court for controlled substances and alcohol celebrated the graduation of eight participants who recently completed the court’s treatment program. The graduation occurred Feb. 8 in the jury assembly room at the Terry R. Harris Judicial Complex in Colorado Springs.
The Judicial Conference of the United States has authorized the appointment of a full-time U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of Colorado located in Denver, Colorado, to fill the vacancy created by Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews‘ recent confirmation as a U.S. District Judge. Additionally, subject to Judicial Conference of the United States authorization, the District Court anticipates appointing a second full-time U.S. magistrate judge to fill the vacancy created upon the retirement of Magistrate Judge Michael Hegarty on or about Jan. 3, 2025. Applications for both vacancies are due by 5:00 p.m. MST on Tuesday, Feb. 20. Additional information is available here.
Kudos
Noah Patterson was honored with the 2023 Richard Marden Davis Award. The award celebrates his contributions to the legal community along with his civic and charitable leadership. The Davis Award is presented annually by Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP, the Denver Bar Association and the Davis family to a Denver lawyer who is 40 years old or younger and combines excellence as a lawyer with civic, cultural, educational and charitable leadership. Patterson is a first assistant attorney general at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, where he leads a team of attorneys and legal professionals who represent state agencies in tax and TABOR litigation and perform general counsel work for the state. Patterson’s work includes defending the constitutionality of Colorado’s paid family and medical leave program in state district court and the Colorado Supreme Court. He received his law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.