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Law firm updates
Sherman & Howard announced May 28 it welcomed eight summer associates to its 2024 program. According to the announcement, Camila Gutierrez Writtenberry and Sasha Shadrina are participating in the program for the second consecutive summer, and Cornelius Foxworth II returns to the firm after previously serving as a practice assistant in the business and real estate practice group. The 2024 summer associate class includes Josh Deibert, Tad Elliott, Foxworth, Emily Garlock, Libby Gorske, Alex Lemmel, Shadrina and Gutierrez Writtenberry.
Polsinelli announced on May 30 it added Kendall Gurule as a senior associate in the firm’s Denver office. Gurule advises clients in the materials science, chemical and mechanical sectors and is experienced in obtaining and analyzing patents in areas such as batteries and energy storage devices, cosmetic and dental compositions, medical device fabrics and coatings, semiconductors, polymers, adhesives and industrial processing equipment and systems, according to the announcement. She has additional background as both an inventor and a patent searcher. She received her bachelor’s degree in chemical and biological engineering from Colorado State University before receiving her J.D. from the George Washington University Law School.
The judiciary
The 5th Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet on July 24 at the Summit County Justice Center to interview and select nominees for appointment by the governor to the office of county judge for Summit County. The vacancy will be created by Judge Edward Casias not standing for re-election in 2024. The vacancy will occur on Jan. 4, 2025. Casias met his performance standard in 2016 and was recommended for retention. Of attorneys who completed the retention survey, 94% recommended to retain and 6% did not. Of non-attorneys completing the survey, 95% recommended to retain and 5% did not, and 100% of jurors surveyed recommended Casias be retained. Both attorneys and non-attorneys reportedly rated him higher in every category compared to the average ratings for other county judges that stood for retention in Colorado. Completed applications must be emailed no later than 4 p.m. on July 2.
Gov. Jared Polis on May 29 appointed Judge Craig Henderson to the 21st Judicial District Court. This appointment fills a vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Richard Gurley and is effective June 1. Henderson is a Mesa County Court judge in the 21st Judicial District, a position he’s held since 2006. His docket consists of criminal and civil matters, according to the announcement. Previously, he was a deputy district attorney in the 21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office from 2002 to 2006; associate attorney at Treece, Alfrey, Musat & Bosworth from 2000 to 2002; deputy district attorney in the 14th Judicial District Attorney’s Office from 1997 to 2000; deputy district attorney in the 13th Judicial District Attorney’s Office from 1996 to 1997; and associate attorney at the Law Office of S.A. Scimeca in Kansas from 1994 to 1995. Henderson earned his bachelor’s degree from McPherson College in 1991 and his J.D. from Washburn University School of Law in 1994.