Have an announcement for Law Week Colorado’s people section? Let us know.
Law firm updates
Ogletree Deakins announced on July 23 that Tyler Baker joined the firm’s Denver office as an associate. She joins the firm’s employment law practice group. She represents employers in all aspects of labor and employment and defends clients during Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Colorado Civil Rights Division administration processes. Baker earned her bachelor’s degree from Regis University and her J.D. from Creighton University School of Law.
Littler announced on July 24 that David Gartenberg was appointed as the firm’s Denver office managing shareholder. The firm also appointed new office managing shareholders in Indianapolis; Portland, Oregon; San Diego; and San Jose, California. Gartenberg represents and advises employers of all sizes in complex litigation and employment law matters in federal and state courts nationwide. In addition, he is a core member of Littler’s workplace violence prevention and crisis response practice group and has experience problem-solving with clients on issues relating to concerns of potential workplace violence.
The judiciary
The Denver County Court announced on July 24 that it’s opening a new competency support docket. The goal of this specialty docket, according to the press release, is to connect defendants with competency concerns to mental health support services so they can receive the help they need while allowing the legal proceedings to continue as quickly as possible. The docket is held in Courtroom 3G of the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse with Judge Kelly Cherry presiding, and is staffed by stakeholders who have expertise in competency-related guidance, resources and case proceedings. This specialty court is a project between the Denver County Court, the Denver District Attorney’s Office, the Colorado Public Defender’s Office, Denver Health, Bridges of Colorado, Servicios de la Raza, Denver FIRST, Second Chance Center, WellPower, the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health and other service and treatment providers.
Gov. Jared Polis on July 24 appointed Marika Frady to the El Paso County Court in the 4th Judicial District, filling a vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Dennis McGuire to the district court in the 4th Judicial District. Frady’s appointment is effective immediately. Frady is the owner of The Frady Law Firm, a position she’s held since 2013. Her practice consists of family law, criminal defense and dependency and neglect cases, according to the announcement. Previously, she was an adjunct instructor at Everest College from 2013 to 2016 and deputy district attorney in the 4th Judicial District from 2007 to 2013. Frady earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri in 2001 and her J.D. from the University of Colorado School of Law in 2004.
Movers & Shakers
Gould & Ratner announced on July 25 it opened a new Denver office with Corporate partners Chris McCall and Garrett Graff, who joined Gould & Ratner after practicing at a Denver-based regional full-service law firm. Gould & Ratner’s Corporate Practice Chair Rob Chidester will also be using the office as a home-away-from-home when he is serving local clients. This will be the firm’s first location outside of Chicago where the firm was founded in the 1930s. Graff advises a wide range of clients, from startups to established private middle-market companies, and from family offices to publicly traded companies, on a wide variety of corporate matters, with an emphasis on regulated industries. McCall advises and represents entrepreneurs, startups, emerging growth and established private companies, venture capital funds and family offices on equity and debt financings, capital raises and securities issuances, mergers and acquisitions, entity selection and formation, complex commercial contracting, intellectual property matters, employment agreements, compliance and nuanced regulatory matters.
Odds & Ends
The Colorado and Denver Bar Associations are seeking an executive director to serve both bars in a hybrid position based in Denver. Interested applicants are encouraged to email a resume and cover letter including a list of five references to [email protected] by July 31.