Have an announcement for Law Week Colorado’s people section? Let us know.
Law firm updates
Womble Bond Dickinson announced on Aug. 9 that Benjamin Busboom joined the firm’s Denver office as a partner in the corporate and securities practice group. Busboom advises companies and investors on environmental, energy and natural resources matters across the energy transition space. He structures and negotiates transactions and projects related to mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, CO2, biofuels, wireless telecommunications and contaminated or environmentally sensitive areas. Busboom, previously with Polsinelli, is the second partner to join the firm’s Denver office in two months, following the arrival of patent partner Jason Vick in July. He earned his bachelor’s in biology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and his J.D. and certificates of concentration in business and transactional law, oil and gas law and natural resources law from the Washburn University School of Law.
The judiciary
The Supreme Court Nominating Commission nominated three candidates for a Colorado Court of Appeals vacancy. The nominees are Priscilla Loew of Broomfield, Melissa Meirink of Denver and Christopher Zenisek of Golden. The Jan. 14, 2025, vacancy was created by Judge Anthony Navarro’s decision not to stand for retention in 2024. The nominees were selected during an Aug. 8 meeting at the Colorado Supreme Court. Under the Colorado Constitution, the governor has 15 days from Aug. 9 to appoint one of the nominees as a judge on the Colorado Court of Appeals. Comments regarding any of the nominees may be emailed to the governor.
On Aug. 14, Gov. Jared Polis appointed Christine Washburn to the 18th Judicial District Court, effective Sept. 4. Washburn will fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Cajardo Lindsey. Washburn is a magistrate in the 18th Judicial District, a position she’s held since 2023. Her docket consists primarily of domestic matters. Previously, she was a legal research attorney in the 18th Judicial District in 2023; founding attorney at the Law Office of Christine A. Washburn, LLC from 2022 to 2023; part-time magistrate for the Denver County Court from 2022 to 2023; and chief deputy district attorney from 2008 to 2022 and deputy DA from 1999 to 2008 in the Denver DA’s Office. Washburn earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado in 1995 and her J.D. from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1998.
Kudos
Jayme Ritchie, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck’s director of pro bono and community impact, joined the B:CIVIC advisory board of directors. B:CIVIC, part of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, provides organizations with resources to be civic-minded while meeting business goals. In her two-year term, Ritchie will help with the strategic planning, programming and revenue development of B:CIVIC. According to the announcement, she’s been involved with the organization for several years, serving both as a member and on B:CIVIC’s programs committee. Ritchie is excited about her new role with B:CIVIC and looks forward to helping other organizations enhance civic-minded initiatives.