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Law firm updates
Polsinelli announced Sept. 26 that Harsha Sekar joined the firm as a shareholder in its capital markets and commercial lending practice. Sekar’s focus is the private credit industry, and he has experience advising investment funds, family offices and other types of lenders and borrowers in private credit transactions, fund formations and fund financings. He received his J.D. from Tulane University and his bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College.
Davis Graham & Stubbs announced Oct. 2 that Emily Golz rejoined the firm as a staff attorney in its trial group. Her practice will continue to focus on litigation. Golz has experience in all phases of litigation, from pre-litigation risk advising to handling discovery disputes, depositions, motions practice, post-trial motions and appeals. Before rejoining Davis Graham, Golz worked as an associate at a regional law firm and as an adjunct professor at the University of Montana-Missoula College. She received her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where she served as the senior forum editor for the Denver Law Review, a teaching assistant for property law and a student representative for the Colorado Supreme Court’s Well-Being Task Force.
Quarles & Brady LLP announced its new partner class Oct. 2, with 18 new partners elected. Included in that number is Michele Washington, who works at Quarles’ Denver office. Washington is an intellectual property attorney who prepares and prosecutes patent applications and assists clients with U.S. and international patent portfolio development. Washington earned her bachelor’s degree from Colorado College, her Ph.D. from Baylor College of Medicine and her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
The judiciary
Gov. Jared Polis on Sept. 30 appointed Andrew Hayden as the district attorney for the 15th Judicial District, effective Oct. 5. Hayden replaces Joshua Vogel, who resigned. Hayden is the assistant deputy district attorney in the 16th Judicial District, a position he’s held since 2024. His practice consists of criminal prosecution, according to the announcement. Previously, he was the chief deputy district attorney from 2012 to 2024 and deputy district attorney from 2009 to 2012 in the 16th Judicial District. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of California-Riverside in 2005 and his J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2008.
Nationally, Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. named five new chairs of Judicial Conference committees and extended the term of five current chairs by one year. The appointments took effect Oct. 1. From the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Nancy Moritz succeeded Judge Brian Miller (Arkansas-Eastern) as chair of the committee on judicial resources and Judge Allison Eid succeeded Judge Jay Bybee (9th Circuit) as chair of the advisory committee on appellate rules.
The Ralph L. Carr Judicial Center office tower, which suffered significant fire and water damage on Jan. 2 will reopen its doors to the public on Oct. 8. A break-in at the judicial center took place early on the morning of Jan. 2 and resulted in significant damage to the building’s tower unit, according to the announcement. A fire was set on the seventh floor and fire sprinklers ran for two hours, leaving ankle-deep water on one floor and damaging the floors below. Smoke was recirculated throughout the building through the HVAC system, which required industrial cleaning. During the initial reopening phase, the public will have access to floors 1 and 2 of the office tower. These floors will be open during regular business hours. Access to floors 8-12 will be available by appointment only. Floors 3-7 will remain closed. The estimated completion time for the full reconstruction of the Ralph L. Carr Judicial Center is set for the summer of 2025, according to the branch.
Kudos
On Oct. 2, Sherman & Howard announced it achieved Midsize Mansfield Certification for 2023-2024 as a trendsetter — an accreditation conferred on a firm that has achieved such a certification for two to four years.
Armstrong Teasdale on Oct. 2 announced it achieved Mansfield Certification for 2023-2024. The firm noted it’s among more than 360 firms in the U.S. and Canada to have achieved this certification.