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Law firm updates
On July 29, BCLP announced that James English joined the firm’s Denver office as a partner. He is part of the firm’s finance transactions practice and energy transition team. English joins the firm from the Houston office of Clark Hill Law. English focuses his practice on companies in the international oil and gas, light natural gas, fuel, mining, chemicals and technology industries as they develop, buy and sell projects and related infrastructure globally. Beyond traditional legal work, English serves as the lead co-chair of the Association of International Energy Negotiators’ LNG sale and purchase agreement committee.
On July 30, Holland & Hart announced that two associates joined the firm’s Denver office. Shaye Maetzold Anderson joins as a real estate associate, and Max John joins as a private client associate. Maetzold Anderson’s experience encompasses a wide range of real estate-related transactions, from property acquisition through development, and when necessary, disposition. John assists high-net-worth individuals and families with tax planning solutions. John is also a CPA and uses his background in financial accounting and business to provide legal solutions to complex estate planning and wealth management matters. Maetzold Anderson received her J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law. John received his LL.M. from the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and his J.D. from the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.
Woods Aitken announced July 30 that Karen Rogers joined the firm as a partner in its Denver office and Lena Lucas was named a partner. Rogers has an extensive litigation background and expertise in complex construction defect litigation and employment law matters. She got her J.D. from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware. Lucas provides counsel on best practices for startup organization, business reorganization, mergers and acquisitions, corporate financing, corporate governance and succession planning. Lucas received her J.D. with distinction from the University of Nebraska College of Law and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
On July 31, Davis Graham & Stubbs announced that Stephanie Block-Guedez rejoined the firm as an associate in its business and corporate advisory group. Block-Guedez has nearly a decade of experience supporting companies at all stages of growth. She advises clients on a wide range of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital financings and general corporate governance. Block-Guedez received her J.D., master of business administration and master’s in accounting from Northeastern University and her bachelor of arts from Skidmore College.
Coan, Payton & Payne, LLC announced Aug. 1 that Bob Choate and Julie Trent were promoted to partner. Choate’s practice focuses on real estate development and associated business transactions. Before joining CP2, Choate spent many years as corporate counsel for local governmental entities in northern Colorado and has extensive experience navigating the permitting processes necessary to acquire and protect vested development rights in most jurisdictions on the north front range. Trent practices in all areas of general commercial litigation and employment law, assisting many types of businesses and financial institutions in a wide range of cases. She has experience in matters as diverse as overtime disputes under the Fair Labor Standards Act, trademark disputes under the Lanham Act, bankruptcy adversary proceedings and general contract disputes.
The judiciary
The Colorado Supreme Court swore in its new chief justice, Justice Monica Márquez, on July 26. Márquez is the first Latina in Colorado’s history to hold the title of chief. Márquez succeeded Justice Brian Boatright as chief justice after his three-year term in the leadership position. The rotation of the chief after three years comes from a unanimous vote in 2020 of the justices to move to shorter rotational terms for the office of the chief justice. Of the 13 LGBTQ+ state supreme court justices currently serving in the U.S., Márquez is the longest-tenured.
Kudos
Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP announced on July 26 that Zach Detra was confirmed to the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation Board of Directors. A longtime proponent of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and its affiliate organizations, Detra currently serves as a member of the Davis Graham Executive Committee and as co-chair of the firm’s transactions department.
Brendan Leanos, a shareholder in Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck’s Corporate & Business Department, joined Reading Partners Colorado’s Regional Advisory Board. Reading Partners is a national nonprofit that mobilizes communities to provide students with the proven, individualized reading support they need to read at grade level by fourth grade. In his two-year role, Leanos will provide guidance and support to Reading Partners Colorado in helping the organization achieve its mission to support young readers in achieving grade-level reading and expanding its reach in Colorado.