Have an announcement for Law Week Colorado’s people section? Let us know.
Law Firm Updates
Polsinelli announced April 8 Charlie Smith joined the firm as a shareholder in its real estate practice. Smith focuses his practices on advising clients on property acquisitions and dispositions, development, land use, public-private partnerships, government relations, financing, commercial and retail license for large-scale development, redevelopment, infill, mixed-use, planned community and transit-oriented projects.
Lewis Roca announced April 9 Daniel Wennogle, Nick Herrick and Lilly Lentz joined the firm’s litigation practice group and construction industry group from Moye White. Wennogle and Herrick joined Lewis Roca as partners and Lentz joined as an associate. Wennogle is a litigation attorney focused on construction and property rights matters. Herrick is a commercial litigator focused on construction, real estate and development issues.
Lewis Roca also announced the addition of Emily Bath and Taylor Hite as associates in the firm’s Denver office. Bath brings experience in general commercial litigation, focusing on areas like professional liability claims, product liability litigation, employment matters and contract disputes. Hite specializes in general corporate and commercial litigation, covering areas like casualty litigation, construction defects, products liability, personal injury and premises liability.
On April 10, Faegre Drinker announced Denver-based partner Gretchen Miller Busch was reelected to another four-year term as a board member at the firm. Miller Busch has served on the board since 2019. She is a partner in the firm’s real estate group and advises clients on complex commercial real estate transactions, with special expertise in the agribusiness industry.
Buchalter announced April 11 Rajesh Kukreja and Kara Chrobak joined the firm’s Denver office as shareholders in its family law practice. Kukreja’s and Chrobak’s practices focus on the representation of individuals with high net worth and ultra-high net worth marital estates in their dissolution of marriage and related matters. Kukreja has experience with both trial work and alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration. Chobak, a former commercial litigator, has experience in litigating cases for clients and helping clients reach resolutions through negotiation and mediation.
The Judiciary
The 18th Judicial District announced a district court vacancy on April 10. The district court covers Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties. The vacancy will be created by the retirement of Judge Gary Kramer on Aug. 3. The nominating commission will meet at the Arapahoe County Courthouse on June 25 to interview and select nominees for appointment by the governor. Application forms are available from the office of the ex officio chair of the nominating commission, Justice Carlos Samour and the office of the court executive, Jenni Turnidge. Applications are also available on the court’s website. The completed application must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. on June 3. Late applications won’t 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 May 27.
Gov. Jared Polis on April 9 appointed J. Chris Larson to the 20th Judicial District Court. The vacancy is created by the retirement of Judge Patrick Butler and is effective May 11. Larson was an assistant U.S. attorney in the civil division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado.
Movers & Shakers
Frost Brown Todd announced April 10 it has opened a new office in Denver. The office opened with nine attorneys, led by partner-in-charge John Kellogg. Dustin Charapata, Keely Downs, Jennifer Eiteljorg, Rebecca Givens, Steven Gockley, E. Job Seese, Timothy Swanson and Jana Willsey joined the office as partners. The new Denver office brings FBT’s total to 17 offices in nine states and Washington, D.C.
Odds & Ends
James Bullock was appointed by Polis as the district attorney for the 16th Judicial District, effective April 13. The vacancy was created by the appointment of William Culver to the Otero County Court. Bullock’s previous position was assistant district attorney for the 16th Judicial District.