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Law firm updates
Polsinelli announced May 20 it expanded its electrical engineering and computer science patent prosecution practice and welcomed David Hsu as counsel in the firm’s Denver office. Hsu is an experienced patent attorney focusing his practice on patent preparation, patent prosecution and related counseling. Hsu also brings experience in technical, economic and sustainability issues to the firm’s intellectual property department, according to the announcement. Hsu earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He then graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with his Ph.D., before receiving his J.D. at the University of Colorado School of Law.
Caplan & Earnest LLC on May 21 announced its new managing partner team of Elizabeth Friel, Kristin Edgar and Barbara Glogiewicz. The managing partner team succeeds the previous managing partner, Brad Hendrick. As co-managing partners, Friel will oversee strategy and finance, Edgar will oversee personnel and human resources and Glogiewicz will oversee facilities and risk management. Together, they will focus on leading the firm’s strategic plan and operations.
The judiciary
Gov. Jared Polis on May 16 made judicial appointments to the 19th Judicial District Court, 4th Judicial District Court, and Lincoln County Court in the 18th Judicial District. Polis appointed Audrey Galloway, effective immediately, to the 19th Judicial District Court, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Meghan Saleebey. Galloway is a district court magistrate in the 19th Judicial District, a position she’s held since 2019. Polis appointed Hilary Gurney and Dennis McGuire to the 4th Judicial District Court. Gurney’s appointment fills a vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Marla Prudek and is effective June 1. Gurney is a district court magistrate in the 4th Judicial District, a position she’s held since 2022. McGuire’s appointment fills a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Scott Sells and is effective July 1. McGuire is an El Paso County Court judge in the 4th Judicial District, a position he’s held since 2020. Polis also appointed Miles Cabral to the Lincoln County Court in the 18th Judicial District, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Truston Lee Fisher and is effective June 1. Cabral is a municipal court judge for the City of Edgewater, a position he’s held since 2023.
The 21st Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet Aug. 1 to interview and select nominees for appointment by the governor to the office of district judge for the 21st Judicial District serving Mesa County. The vacancy will be created by the retirement of Judge Valerie Robison, occuring on Sept. 28. Completed applications must be emailed no later than 4:00 p.m. on July 18.
On June 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Jefferson County Administration and Courts Building, the courts, probation, public defender, district attorney and law enforcement agencies for the 1st Judicial District serving Gilpin and Jefferson counties will come together to help people clear warrants. Eligible offenses for warrant clearance include low-level, nonviolent misdemeanors and traffic offenses, some class 5 and class 6 felony property offenses, and class 4 drug felonies. To check warrant-clearance eligibility for probation-revocation cases, email [email protected]. To check eligibility for all other cases, email [email protected].
Also on June 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Boulder County Justice Center, the courts, public defender, district attorney and law enforcement agencies for the 20th Judicial District will come together to help clear warrants. Participants can resolve their case or set a new court date. Opportunities to speak with a defense attorney will also be available. No arrests will be made for people seeking help to clear outstanding warrants. Misdemeanor and traffic offenses are eligible for warrant clearance, regardless of conviction status. Ineligible offenses include any warrants from outside of Boulder County, misdemeanor charges involving Victim Rights Act crimes, third-degree assaults, domestic violence, child abuse, menacing, unlawful sexual contact, indecent exposure, invasion of privacy, bias-motivated crimes and violations of a protection order.
On the same date and time, Jefferson County will also be hosting a Fresh Start event, a collaboration on warrant forgiveness between jurisdictions. An individual may appear in-person in Boulder to resolve their warrant and then appear virtually in Jefferson County to resolve a warrant they may have in that jurisdiction, or vice versa. To check eligibility for the Boulder event, email [email protected].
The Supreme Court Nominating Commission invited qualified attorneys to apply for a Colorado Court of Appeals vacancy created by the decision of Judge Anthony Navarro not to stand for retention in 2024. The vacancy will occur on Jan. 14, 2025. The commission will meet on Aug. 8 to interview and select nominees for appointment by the governor. Completed applications must be emailed no later than 4 p.m. on July 15.
The 4th Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet on July 8 at the El Paso County Judicial Building in Colorado Springs to interview and select nominees for appointment by the governor to the Office of County Judge for El Paso County. The vacancy will be created by the appointment of Judge Dennis McGuire to the 4th Judicial District, Teller County District Court bench. The vacancy will occur on July 1. Completed applications must be emailed no later than 4 p.m. on June 17.
Kudos
The City of Boulder’s Community Court announced May 22 it was designated as a Mentor Court by the Center for Justice Innovation. According to the announcement, Mentor Courts are experienced local community courts selected to guide developing community courts as they navigate common issues and challenges. Mentor Courts collaborate with the center to provide guidance and peer consultation to sites grant-funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance fund. Boulder Community Court is being supported by the Center to mentor community courts in Utah, Wyoming, Nevada and Mississippi. Boulder was a recipient of the BJA grant in 2018 to implement a community court with the support of a Mentor Court in Austin, Texas. According to the announcement, Boulder has a compliance rate of 91% for the unhoused population addressing their violations and participating in offered services to move them toward housing. In 2023, the city’s Community Court and partner organizations housed 31 people with only five of those reoffending in Boulder Municipals Courts, according to a news release. As of February 2024, 23 clients completed a Naropa University counseling session with 43% of clients returning for at least a second visit and 22% of clients coming back for three or more visits.