Former University of Colorado Law School Dean Phil Weiser on Thursday turned in petitions to appear on the Democratic primary ballot for attorney general. He became the first attorney general candidate to turn in nominating papers to the Colorado Secretary of State.
The Weiser campaign submitted more than 21,000 signatures. In total, 10,500 valid signatures from registered Democrats are required in order to appear on the ballot, with 1,500 from each of the state’s seven congressional districts.
In January, Weiser announced he was pursuing an “all of the above” strategy to get on the primary ballot — by gathering petition signatures and completing the caucus and assembly process.
“Since the launch of this campaign, we have sought to engage as many Coloradans as possible,” Weiser said in a public statement. “Our work to get on the ballot is truly a team effort, only possible through the efforts of hundreds of supporters collecting signatures from Democrats across the state. I am honored that so many people have responded to our message, and their support will continue our great momentum as we proceed throughout the assembly process.”
Lateral Watch
Shapiro Bieging Barber Otteson added Dina Bernardelli as an attorney focusing on insurance coverage and civil litigation.
Bernardelli has more than a decade of experience representing clients in insurance coverage analysis and bad faith claims handling, and complex commercial litigation. She has analyzed complex insurance coverage issues across multiple lines in multiple jurisdictions.
Bernardelli has litigation experience in areas including construction-defect liability, professional liability, premises liability, personal injury, employment, insurance bad faith and subrogation claims.
Prior to entering private practice, Bernardelli was a legal clerk in the Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague, Netherlands.
Bernardelli is a graduate of Boston College Law School. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame.
Award Announcements
Hogan Lovells announced that litigation partner Regina Rodriguez has become a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Rodriguez was inducted in a ceremony at the 2018 spring meeting of the college in Phoenix, before an audience of 850 people.
Fellowship in the college is based on investigation and by invitation only to those experienced trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Lawyers must have a minimum of 15 years trial experience before they can be considered for fellowship.
Rodriguez is a partner in the Hogan Lovells’ litigation practice. She regularly serves as lead trial counsel in complex litigation and tort cases, including product liability, False Claims Act and commercial matters. She was previously an assistant U.S. Attorney and chief of the civil division in the District of Colorado. She also served in the Assistant Attorney General’s Office for the Department of Justice as the deputy senior counsel for alternative dispute resolution. Rodriguez is an alumna of the University of Colorado Law School.
Plaintiff trial firm Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine announced the winners of its Sixth Annual College Scholarship Competition. Each year the firm awards scholarships to Colorado high school seniors in an essay-writing contest that asks entrants to write about “the importance of the civil jury system as the guardian of American rights and liberties.” Burg Simpson awarded scholarships of $2,500 for the grand prize winner and $1,000 each for nine additional winners.
Burg Simpson announced the award winners March 10 at the Colorado State Boys 5A Basketball Championship in Denver. This year’s scholarship recipients are:
Elise Hegarty, Faith Christian Academy – Grand Prize Winner
Alex Warren, Valor Christian
Emilio Gómez, Regis Jesuit High School
Diana Barila, Longmont High School)
Lucy Kane, Valor Christian
Kelly Franson, D’Evelyn Jr./Sr. High School
Haleigh Prosser, Wiley High School
Andra Meltcalfe, Mountain Vista High School
Wyatt Morris, Platte Canyon High School
Joshua Watson, Castle View High School
Burg Simpson has awarded $67,500 in scholarship funds since the competition launched in 2012, according to Burg Simpson shareholder Steve Greenlee, who noted this year’s competition had the largest pool of entrants yet.
“We look forward to continuing to educate the young people of Colorado about the importance of the civil jury system and provide more graduating seniors the opportunity to obtain college funds,” Greenlee said.