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Law Firm Updates
Moye White LLP announced Nov. 20 the addition of real estate attorneys Alexandra Renes and Tami York to the firm’s Denver office. Renes joins the real estate section with commercial real estate experience. In her practice, Renes negotiates purchase and sale contracts, drafts retail, industrial and agricultural leases, participates in the negotiation of construction contracts and easement agreements and manages legal issues for large owned and leased real estate portfolios. York joins the real estate section with knowledge of the real estate and construction industries, and a track record of navigating complex matters involving contract negotiations, regulatory requirements, risk management and insurance coverage.
The Judiciary
Gov. Polis appointed Natalie Stricklin Nov. 17 to the 18th Judicial District Court bench. The vacancy was created by the retirement of Judge Patricia Herron and is effective Dec. 1. Stricklin is an assistant federal public defender for the Districts of Colorado and Wyoming, a position she has held since 2015. Her practice consists of indigent criminal defense.
Gov. Polis made two judicial appointments to the 4th and 14th Judicial District Court Nov. 22. Amanda Philipps was appointed to the 4th Judicial District Court. The vacancy was created by the retirement of Judge Thomas Kane and is effective Jan. 1, 2024. Philipps is a district court magistrate in the 4th Judicial District, a position she has held since 2021. Brittany Schneider was appointed to the 14th Judicial District Court. The vacancy was created by the retirement of Judge Sandra Gardner and is effective Jan. 1, 2024. Schneider is a county court judge in the 14th Judicial District, a position she has held since 2020.
Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Brian Boatright appointed Judge Kyle Seedorf to serve as chief judge in the 17th Judicial District. Seedorf will become chief judge upon the retirement of Judge Donald Quick on Jan. 23, 2024. Seedorf was appointed as a district court judge in November 2019 after having served in private practice and as general counsel and director of legal affairs for the Colorado Department of Higher Education. As chief judge, he will serve as the administrative head of the district, responsible for appointing the court executive, chief probation officer and clerk of court. He will assist in personnel, financial and case-management duties and ensure the business of the courts is conducted efficiently and effectively.
Gov. Polis appointed Timothy Lane Nov. 29 to the Gilpin County Court in the 1st Judicial District. The vacancy was created by the resignation of Judge David Taylor and is effective immediately. Lane is a staff attorney, legislative liaison and policy analyst at the Colorado District Attorneys’ Council, a position he has held since 2016. Lane was deputy district attorney in the 1st Judicial District from 2001 to 2016.
The 18th Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet at the Arapahoe County Justice Center on Dec. 19 to interview and select nominees for appointment by the governor to the office of county judge for Arapahoe County. The vacancy will be created by the appointment to the District Court in the 1st Judicial District of Judge Chantel Contiguglia. The vacancy will occur on Jan. 1, 2024. Application forms are available here and must be e-mailed to [email protected] no later than 4 p.m. on Dec. 5.
The 17th Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet at the Adams County Justice Center on Dec. 20 to interview and select nominees for appointment by the governor to the office of district judge for the 17th Judicial District. The vacancy will be created by the retirement of Judge Roberto Ramírez. The vacancy will occur on Jan. 6, 2024. Application forms are available here and must be e-mailed to [email protected] no later than 4 p.m. on Dec. 4. Late applications will not be considered.
The 14th Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet via videoconference on Jan. 12, 2024, to interview and select nominees for appointment by the governor to the office of county judge for Moffat County. The vacancy will be created by Judge Brittany Schneider’s appointment to the District Court. The vacancy will occur on Jan. 1, 2024. Application forms are available here and must be e-mailed to [email protected] no later than 4 p.m. on Dec. 22. Late applications will not be considered. Any person wishing to suggest a candidate to fill the vacancy can send a letter to any member of the nominating commission, with a copy to the ex officio chair, no later than 4 p.m. on Dec. 15.
Kudos
Colorado Supreme Court Justice Richard Gabriel is this year’s recipient of the Judicial Excellence Award for the Colorado Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. This award is given by ABOTA to a Colorado judge in the State or Federal Courts, recognizing excellence in the conduct of civil jury trials and dedication to professionalism, integrity, ethics, civility and fairness in the administration of justice. “Justice Gabriel is a tireless mentor, teacher of professionalism, author, and speaker. He has a well-earned reputation as a hardworking, collegial, pragmatic, and intellectually honest judicial officer and bar leader,” the announcement said.
Hogan Lovells celebrated three decades in Colorado Nov. 9. The firm’s presence has gone from a handful of lawyers to a team of more than 70. The firm’s presence in both Denver and Colorado Springs goes far beyond client work, the announcement noted. “The firm’s Colorado offices have played a crucial role in many projects critical to Colorado’s growth and development, and both continue to build on those foundations by leading international matters and winning recognition from national legal media,” noted a press release.
Miscellaneous
The Colorado Lawyer Trust Account Foundation and the Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado announced Nov. 27 the selection of Jordan Bates-Rogers to be their new executive director, effective Dec. 29. Bates-Rogers will succeed the organization’s long-time executive director, Diana Poole, who is retiring after serving in that role for the last 18 years. Bates-Rogers is currently the executive director of the Arkansas Access to Justice Commission & Foundation. Bates-Rogers’ selection was the result of a search process conducted by the president and vice-president of the COLTAF Board, the chair and vice-chair of the Legal Aid Foundation Board and a former Colorado Bar Association president.
Odds and Ends
The Judicial Conference has approved inflationary adjustments to miscellaneous fees in district courts. While most of the increases are nominal, a few are more substantive, such as the attorney admission fee increase of $11. These changes, along with several federal rule amendments, will take effect on Dec. 1. Additional information will be posted on the court’s website once those changes go into effect.