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Law firm updates
On Aug. 29, Holland & Hart announced that Allison Altaras joined the firm’s real estate practice in its Denver office as a partner. She advises developers, investors and landowners who are buying, selling, financing, entitling, developing or redeveloping projects in Colorado and the Mountain West. Altaras also handles the financing and development of horizontal infrastructure and utilities. Before joining Holland & Hart, Altaras was a partner at a boutique Denver real estate firm.
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck added Mimi Larsen as of counsel to the firm’s natural resources department on Sept. 5. Larsen will be based in the firm’s Denver office, according to the announcement. With a primary focus on oil and gas and carbon management, Larsen has experience in state and federal regulatory actions, litigation and implementation of public policy strategies. Larsen earned her law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver.
The judiciary
Gov. Jared Polis on Aug. 29 appointed Magistrates Angela Boykins and Heidi Kutcher to the 2nd Judicial District Court. Boykins’ appointment fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Jennifer Torrington and Kutcher will replace retiring Judge David Goldberg. Both appointments are effective Jan. 14, 2025. Boykins is a district court magistrate in the 2nd Judicial District, a position she’s held since 2021. Her docket consists of domestic relations matters. Previously, she was a solo practitioner from 2006 to 2021 and an adjunct instructor at Everest College from 2008 to 2015. Boykins earned her undergraduate degree from Eastern Kentucky University in 1987 and her J.D. from Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law in 1999. Kutcher is a magistrate in the 18th Judicial District, a position she’s held since 2022. Her docket consists of civil and criminal matters. Previously, she was a part-time county court magistrate for the City and County of Denver from 2021 to 2022, an administrative law judge for the State of Colorado from 2020 to 2022, a civil rights attorney for the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights from 2001 to 2020, a staff attorney at Baker & Hostetler, LLP from 2000 to 2001 and an attorney at the Law Office of James Anderson from 1999 to 2000. Kutcher earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver in 1996 and her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 1999.
Kudos
Sarah Auchterlonie, chair of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck’s consumer protection group, was elected chair of the Colorado State Banking Board, a nine-member and governor-appointed board that serves as the policy and rulemaking authority for the Colorado Division of Banking. Auchterlonie has served on the Colorado State Banking Board since 2018 when she was appointed by then-Gov. John Hickenlooper, according to the firm’s announcement. She was reappointed by Gov. Jared Polis in 2019.
Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP announced that Chad Williams has been confirmed to the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Williams currently serves as co-managing partner of Davis Graham and is a member of the firm’s executive committee.