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Law firm updates
On Aug. 2, Brownstein announced that the firm elevated Jonathan Pray and Kati Rothgery to its general counsel’s office. The move, effective Aug. 1, makes Pray Brownstein’s first chief legal officer and Rothgery the firm’s new general counsel. As chief legal officer, Pray will provide strategic advice to the firm’s executive committee on legal transactions and risk management, manage business and reputational risks, oversee the firm’s information security program together with Chief Operating Officer Barb Mica, lead the firm’s insurance program with Benenson and align the firm’s corporate governance with best practices and overall firm strategy. As general counsel, Rothgery will manage potential and actual claims against the firm, manage outside counsel relationships, supervise the conflicts and intake team, supervise the firm’s compliance programs, lead the firm’s ethics program and provide day-to-day legal advice regarding firm operations and client relationships.
Holland & Hart announced on Aug. 6 that IP transactions attorney Lori Cowan rejoined the firm as of counsel in its Boulder office. Cowan has experience representing companies on both the procurement and sales sides of various types of commercial transactions and in general corporate matters, mergers and acquisitions. Before rejoining Holland & Hart, Cowan worked in-house as senior legal counsel for a multimillion-dollar internet service provider, where she managed legal and transactional matters, hired and managed outside counsel and implemented legal intake and review processes. She also worked for a Fortune 300 global information technology company. Cowan received her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, a master’s in accounting from the University of Colorado Denver and her bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University Pueblo.
On Aug. 7, Davis Graham & Stubbs announced that Lindsay Dofelmier joined the firm as of counsel in its energy and mining group. Dofelmier has experience across the private, government and nonprofit sectors and offers insights into natural resources, environmental and energy issues, including critical and rare earth minerals, mining, renewables, endangered species, water law, public lands and tribal consultation. Before joining Davis Graham, Dofelmier worked in the Houston and Denver offices of two major international law firms, where her practice focused on natural resources and energy law, and as a legal fellow in the Defenders of Wildlife’s Denver office, where she worked on a variety of legal matters related to conservation and special status species. Dofelmier received her J.D. from the University of Texas Law School and earned a dual bachelor’s degree in Japanese and international studies from the University of Washington.
Paige Justus joined Denver-based law firm Robinson Waters & O’Dorisio, P.C. as a shareholder, according to an Aug. 8 announcement from the firm. Before joining RWO, Justus was a partner in the Denver office of Armstrong Teasdale, LLP. She will continue to focus her practice on business law, tax planning, estate and succession planning, nonprofit law, trust and estate administration and marital agreements. She earned her undergraduate degree, J.D. and LL.M. from the University of Denver and is admitted to practice in Colorado.
The judiciary
Denver County Court announced on Aug. 5 that it received a $1 million grant from the Caring for Denver Foundation. The Caring for Denver funds will be awarded over two years and spread across five Denver County Court Specialty Programs: the new Competency Support Docket, the Forensic Peer Navigator Program, Competency Diversion, Sobriety Court and HEM Program. Denver County Court noted it will track quantitative and qualitative data to ensure consistency in the data collected and to spot gaps and trends.
Gov. Jared Polis on Aug. 7 appointed Pamela Johnston to the Kiowa County Court in the 15th Judicial District, effective Sept. 1. The vacancy was created by the retirement of Judge Gary Davis. Johnston is a cattle rancher. Previously she was an associate English professor at Lansing Community College in Lansing, Michigan, from 2003 to 2014; adjunct professor at Lansing Community College from 2002 to 2003; associate faculty member at Michigan State University from 2007 to 2008; adjunct faculty member at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, Arizona, from 1995 to 1998 and associate faculty member at Arizona State University from 1995 to 1996. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in 1991 and her master’s degree from Arizona State University in 1995.
Kudos
A book written by Holland & Knight Denver partner Stephen Dietrich was released this week. Dietrich is a business attorney, a member of the firm’s directors committee and practice group leader for the firm’s corporate central/west coast group.
University of Denver Sturm College of Law Associate Professor of Law Tom Romero II was appointed to the Black Coloradan Racial Equity Study Commission. According to the Aug. 6 announcement, Romero has expertise in researching the history and impact of slavery on Black Coloradans, enabling him to make an impact on this commission. The law school also announced alumna Dolores Atencio is a 2024 recipient of the Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award.