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Law firm updates
Littler announced Jan. 31 that Susan Klopman has joined the firm’s Denver office as special counsel. Klopman joins from a boutique litigation and employment law firm, where she was a founding partner. She has has experience in traditional labor law, handling management trainings, union negotiations and National Labor Relations Board charges. She has tried numerous cases as a litigator in federal and state courts in Colorado, as well as before arbitrators. Klopman earned her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, her bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College and an English literature certificate from Somerville College, Oxford University.
Crisham & Holman LLC announced Jan. 31 that John Hegarty has joined the firm as of counsel. Hegarty has a background in real estate and energy transactions, with experience in the development and financing of diverse energy projects. His practice focuses on representing large landowners, operators, developers, investors and lenders in transactions across oil and gas, solar, wind, geothermal and other energy sectors.
Ascent Employment Law announced on Feb. 6 that Nevada-based employment attorney Dora Lane is joining the firm, reuniting with Ascent founder Emily Hobbs. Lane began her law career clerking for Nevada Supreme Court Justice Mark Gibbons. Once entering private practice, Lane focused on labor and employment law throughout the West. She assists employers with hiring, firing, training, discrimination, employee discipline, wage and hour issues, compensation structures, employment policies, employment contracts, leaves of absence, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act and workers’ compensation, severance agreements and more. She is licensed to practice law in Nevada and California.
The judiciary
On Jan. 31, Gov. Jared Polis appointed Judge Joshua Williford to the 18th Judicial District Court. The appointment is effective immediately and fills a new judgeship created by House Bill 20-1026, which changed the boundaries of the existing 18th Judicial District and established the new 23rd Judicial District. Williford is an Arapahoe County Court judge in the 18th Judicial District, a position he’s held since 2017. His docket consists primarily of criminal matters. Previously, Williford was chief deputy district attorney from 2014 to 2017, senior deputy DA from 2011 to 2014 and deputy DA from 2007 to 2011 in the 18th Judicial District. He was also a deputy DA in the 17th Judicial District from 2003 to 2007. Williford earned his bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College in 2000 and his J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2003.
The Denver County Court Judicial Nomination Commission announced it’s accepting applications from qualified attorneys to fill a vacancy on the Denver County Court bench. The Commission will meet in April to interview and select nominees for appointment by Mayor Mike Johnston. The vacancy is created by the retirement of Judge Clarisse Gonzales. Applicants for the position must be qualified electors of the City and County of Denver at the time of application, be licensed as an attorney at law in the State of Colorado and have a minimum of five years’ experience as a licensed practicing attorney. Each appointment will be for a provisional term of two years, with retention for a regular four-year term determined at the first November general election after the provisional term. The completed application must be emailed no later than Feb. 24 at 5 p.m. Anyone interested in applying can contact the presiding judge’s office at 1437 Bannock St., Room 108 or call 720-865-7870.
The Second Judicial District Nominating Commission has nominated three candidates for a district court judgeship created by the resignation of Judge Darryl Shockley, effective Feb. 1. Nominees Ian Kellogg of Denver, Jason Robinson of Denver and Jerad West of Denver were selected by the commission on Feb. 4. Comments regarding any of the nominees may be emailed to the governor.
Kudos
Lyons Gaddis announced on Feb. 4 that Alison Gorsevski and Erin Pierce were promoted to shareholders. The firm noted that in their new roles as shareholders, Gorsevski and Pierce will take on greater responsibility for the firm’s strategic direction, client service initiatives and overall growth. Their leadership will help shape the firm’s future, driving its mission to provide innovative and effective legal solutions. Gorsevski has been practicing water law since 2013. She represents clients across Colorado in water court, assists with water rights transactions and serves as special water counsel for several governmental entities, including municipal water providers and water conservancy districts. She earned her law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law in 2008. Pierce earned an MBA from Western Washington University in 2005 and spent her early career working in a variety of business development roles. Following graduation from the University of Colorado School of Law in 2018, Pierce worked as a judicial law clerk for the Boulder District Court for several years. She’s a member of the firm’s civil litigation practice group and leads the group’s family law practice.
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck announced Feb. 6 that shareholder Zach Siegel has joined the board of directors of the Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center. In his role, Siegel will serve as an advocate and ambassador for the organization within the community and assist in securing financial support. Siegel’s connection to JCC Denver spans nearly three decades, beginning with preschool in the 1990s and extending through years of involvement in its programming and events.
Odds & Ends
Denver County Court Judge Clarisse Gonzales will retire this year. In 2015, Gonzales was awarded the Judicial Excellence Award from the Colorado Judicial Institute. Before serving on the Denver County Court bench, Judge Gonzales was a District Court Magistrate in the 18th Judicial District, a Guardian Ad Litem representing abused and neglected children, a defense attorney and a prosecutor in the 17th Judicial District. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Colorado and her law degree from Howard University School of Law.