Law Firm Updates

Jason Wareham joined Colorado firm The Law Center P.C., according to an Oct. 4 announcement. Wareham comes to the firm after 13 years of active duty as a judge advocate for the U.S. Marine Corps. Originally from Colorado, Wareham received his J.D. from Creighton University School of Law and an LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center. Now a Marine Corps Reserve member, Wareham brings experience in complex, high-stakes trial and litigation to the firm. The Law Center P.C., founded by Wareham’s father Robert Wareham, represents local and regional clients in family law, criminal justice, trust and estate, business and tax planning and transactions, civil litigations, state and federal firearms laws and Second Amendment rights.

Moye White LLP announced the addition of three attorneys to its business and real estate sections on Oct. 6. Elizabeth Peros joined the firm’s real estate section as a partner where she represents developers, homebuilders, corporations and lenders. Peros earned her J.D. from the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law and brings experience as in-house counsel to Denver-based homebuilder M.D.C Holdings, Inc. Tasha Power joined as a partner in the real estate section. Power graduated from the University of Colorado Law and supports Moye White clients in real estate transitions from contract to closing. The firm added associate Chris Levkulich to its business section. Levkulich offers tax planning advice to businesses and business owners. Levkulich earned his J.D. and an LL.M in taxation from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. 

The Judiciary 

Three finalists were selected to fill an El Paso County Court judgeship vacancy, according to an Oct. 6 announcement. The 4th Judicial District Nominating Commission selected the candidates for the vacancy that will occur on Oct. 8. The nominees, all from Colorado Springs, are Yolanda Fennick, Marika Frady and Cynthia McKedy. Gov. Jared Polis has until Oct. 21 to select the county court judge. The vacancy was created after Judge Samuel Evig was selected for a district court judgeship. 

Gov. Polis announced commission appointments for the Colorado Commission of Criminal and Juvenile Justice on Oct. 6. The commission will use an evidence-based analysis of the criminal justice system in Colorado to deliver annual reports to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate and the Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court. All terms will expire on Sept. 1, 2024. 

• Tajussin Ashaheed from Aurora will serve as a former offender “who has demonstrated knowledge of the criminal justice system and its impacts.”
• Kristiana Huitron from Colorado Springs will serve as a victim’s advocate.
• Derek McCoy from Denver will serve as a victim as defined in CRS Section 24-4.1-302(5) “who has demonstrated knowledge of the criminal justice system and its impacts.”
• Steve O’Dorisio from Welby will serve as a county commissioner.
• Shawn Day of Thornton will serve as a reappointed representative of a non-profit organization representing municipalities.
• Valerie Finks Van Kam from Aurora will serve as a reappointed representative of victim’s rights organizations.
• Jessica Eve Jones from Denver will serve as a reappointed member-at-large.
• Richard Kent Kornfeld from Denver will serve as a reappointed criminal defense attorney.
• Greg Mauro from Denver will serve as a reappointed member-at-large.
• Abigail Tucker from Edgewater will serve as a reappointed representative of a mental health treatment provider. 

Kudos

Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell founding partner and chair Michael O’Donnell was inducted as the 72nd president of the American College of Trial Lawyers on Oct. 2. O’Donnell is the first president from Colorado to head the exclusive trial lawyer association and has been a fellow since 1999. The college is invitation-only and fellowship is only considered for active trial lawyers with a minimum of 15 years of experience. No more than 1% of lawyers in each state or province are allowed to join the North American college. Law Week Colorado named O’Donnell as a “Lawyer of the Decade” in 2011.  

Denver attorney Kelley Duke from Colorado firm Ireland Stapleton Pryor & Pascoe, PC was named as the 2022 chairperson for the international firm SCG Legal, according to an Oct. 5 announcement. Duke, who directs Ireland Stapleton’s litigation practice group, will lead the global network of full-service law firms.