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Law Firm Updates
Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti announced Sept. 1 attorney Ian Carmen joined the firm as one of the newest litigation practice group members. Carmen has represented individuals, small businesses and one of the world’s largest grocery chains on a variety of matters, including construction, breach of contract, employment, premises liability, negligence and bad faith breach of insurance contract matters. Carmen earned his law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2021.
Foley & Lardner announced Sept. 5 the addition of partner Jim Miles and senior counsel Charles Gass to the firm’s health care practice in Denver. Miles represents healthcare organizations, healthcare professionals and private equity firms with commercial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt financing, joint ventures and start-ups. Gass is a business attorney who advises private companies, private equity sponsors and strategic investors in complex transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, equity and debt financing and general corporate matters.
Spencer Fane announced Sept. 5 Danielle Kaiser joined the special districts practice group as an associate in the firm’s Denver office. Kaiser focuses her practice on establishing and assisting local governmental entities authorized by state law to provide public infrastructure and services, and to utilize public financing mechanisms. In addition, Kaiser has experience in real estate, corporate transactional matters and bankruptcy. She earned her law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
Davis Graham & Stubbs announced Sept. 7 Alexandra Lewis and Brooke Rogers joined the firm’s trial group. Lewis joined DGS as an associate and her litigation practice focuses on antitrust, white collar and commercial matters. Lewis earned her law degree from the University of California, Irvine School of Law. She has not yet been admitted to practice in Colorado. Rogers joined the firm as an associate. She focuses her practice on commercial litigation, with an emphasis on breach of contract and Uniform Commercial Code disputes. Rogers also handles product liability cases, including warranty claims and environmental law matters, and has experience with high-profile defamation actions. She earned her law degree from Loyola University School of Law. Rogers is temporarily authorized to practice in Colorado, pending admission.
Fennemore announced Sept. 7 Cody Bourke joined the law firm as a director in both the business litigation and natural resource practice groups. Bourke has represented businesses in litigation matters and has focused on a wide range of complex commercial litigation in a broad range of industries, including food and beverage, real estate, construction and oil and gas. Bourke regularly represents clients in regulatory adversary proceedings, hearings and rulemakings before the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Bourke received his law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
The Judiciary
The Colorado Judicial Department announced Sept. 6 the Supreme Court Nominating Commission invites qualified attorneys to apply for two Colorado Court of Appeals vacancies created by the retirements of Judge John Daniel Dailey and Judge David Furman. Both vacancies will occur on Jan. 1, 2024. The commission will meet on Oct. 24-25 to select applicants to interview, conduct interviews and select nominees for appointment by the governor. Application forms are available from the office of the ex-officio chair of the Nominating Commission, Chief Justice Brian Boatright, 2 E. 14th Ave., Denver, CO 80203; and the office of the court executive of any of the 22 judicial districts. Applications are also available here. The completed application must be emailed to [email protected]s no later than 4 p.m. on Sept. 29. Late applications will not be considered. Any person wishing to suggest a candidate to fill the vacancy may do so by letter to be submitted to any member of the nominating commission, with a copy to the ex-officio chair, no later than 4 p.m. on Sept. 22.
The 4th Judicial District announced their nominating commission will meet Nov. 6 at the El Paso County Courthouse to interview and select nominees for appointment by the governor to the office of district judge for the 4th Judicial District. The vacancy will be created by the retirement of Judge Thomas Kane and the vacancy will occur on Jan. 1, 2024. Application forms are available from the office of the ex-officio chair of the nominating commission, Justice Monica Márquez, 2 E. 14th Ave., Denver, CO 80203; and the office of the deputy court executive, Bridget Collins. Applications also are available on the court’s home page. The completed application must be emailed to [email protected] no later than 4 p.m. on Sept. 29. Late applications will not be considered. Any person wishing to suggest a candidate to fill the vacancy may do so by letter to be submitted to any member of the nominating commission, with a copy to the ex-officio chair, no later than 4 p.m. on Sept 22.
The 1st Judicial District announced Sept. 6 its nominating commission will meet on Oct. 30 to interview and select nominees for appointment by the governor to the office of district judge for the 1st Judicial District. The vacancy will be created by the retirement of Judge Randall Arp. The vacancy will occur on Jan. 1, 2024. Application forms are available from the office of the ex officio chair of the nominating commission, Justice Richard Gabriel, 2 E. 14th Ave., Denver, CO 80203; and the office of the court executive, Jennifer Mendoza, 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, CO 80401. Applications also are available on the court’s home page. The completed application must be e-mailed to [email protected] no later than 4 p.m. on Oct. 3. Late applications will not be considered. Any person wishing to suggest a candidate to fill the vacancy may do so by letter to be submitted to any member of the nominating commission, with a copy to the ex officio chair, no later than 4 p.m. on Sept. 26.
The 4th Judicial District announced Sept. 7 its Second Chances warrant clearance and community resource day for El Paso County. Second Chances will be held Sept. 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the El Paso County Courthouse. The courts, public defender and district attorney for the 4th Judicial District will come together to help people clear their warrants, including those for probation violations and get connected with resources to be successful in moving forward and resolving their legal matters. No arrests will be made for people seeking help to clear outstanding warrants for eligible offenses and probation violation warrants. Offenses that are eligible for warrant clearance include misdemeanor or traffic offenses, class 4 drug felonies, as well as class 5 and 6 felonies. Ineligible offenses include any warrants outside of El Paso County, as well as the Victim Rights Act, assault, domestic violence, unlawful sexual behavior, child abuse and careless driving involving death cases. For questions about Second Chances or to verify eligibility, contact the Office of the Colorado Public Defender at 719-475-1235.
In recognition of the role the judiciary plays in assisting victims of domestic violence and in compliance with the POWER Act, the District of Colorado is co-sponsoring a virtual POWER Act event taking place on Friday, Sept. 22 at 10 a.m. To register for this event, click here and provide the requested information by Sept. 15. As the date draws closer, you will be sent a Teams invitation to the email address you provided. It’s recommended to sign in approximately five minutes before the event to ensure a complete connection. To learn more, visit here.
Kudos
Otteson Shapiro announced Aug. 21 that nine of the firm’s attorneys have been included in the 2024 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. These nine attorneys span across eight different practice areas. This represents the highest number of Otteson Shapiro attorneys ever recognized by Best Lawyers® in a single year. Of these nine attorneys, six are from the firm’s Denver office: Duncan Barber, I. Thomas Bieging, Garth Gersten, Christian Otteson, Stephen Shapiro and Lisa Shimel. To see the full list click here.
BAM Family Law announced Aug. 21 three of its attorneys have been included in Best Lawyers®. Founding shareholder Kyle McFarlane and co-founding senior counsel Heather Broxterman have been named to the Best Lawyers® list, while shareholder Steven Visioli has been included in the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America®. McFarlane and Visioli are recognized in the family law category, while Broxterman is recognized for family law and family law arbitration.
Jackson Lewis P.C. announced Sept. 6 three attorneys from the firm’s Denver office have been listed in Best Lawyers®. Those named are: office managing principal Ryan Lessmann (employment law–management; litigation–labor and employment); principal Laura Mitchell (employment law–management; litigation–labor and employment); and principal Christopher Patrick (employment law–management).
Odds and Ends
The Colorado Chamber of Commerce released the results of its second annual poll of Colorado businesses Sept. 6, covering critical economic and policy issues relevant to the statewide business community. The survey of 156 business leaders was conducted by Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates, a nationally recognized firm with expertise in market research specifically for state chambers of commerce. Interviews were conducted from June 26 to July 28. The Colorado Chamber presented the results of its 2023 survey to state legislators in a briefing and will use the findings to shape its 2024 policy agenda. To view the survey report, click here. To view the results of the 2022 report, click here.
Lewis Roca announced Sept. 6 the celebration of the firm’s 10-year anniversary in the Denver and Colorado Springs communities since merging with Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons on Sept. 1, 2013. Lewis Roca’s most recent shift was the 2022 relocation of the Denver office from Tabor Center to McGregor Square. The firm has grown its Denver legal team by 20 percent in the last 10 years.
CORRECTION: This article was updated Sept. 8 to add Davis Graham & Stubbs’ new attorneys announced this week.