Emily Warren, Carolyn Witkus, and Tia Zavaras announced Dec. 31 the opening of their family law litigation firm, WZW Family Law.
The three partners bring experience in domestic relations, civil and criminal litigation to their clients. The firm also includes associate attorneys Jon Eric Stuebner and Erin Penrod. WZW Family Law focuses on financially and emotionally complicated matters and represents clients in every Colorado county, the firm said in its announcement.
18TH DA SELECTS LEADERS
Eighteenth Judicial District Attorney-elect John Kellner announced Dec. 31 the team he has selected to implement his vision in his new administration.
From within the office, Kellner named Tom Byrnes, a Navy veteran and judge advocate, to be his assistant district attorney, the No. 2 position. To lead the Arapahoe office as its senior chief deputy district attorney, Kellner tapped long-time prosecutor Vicki Klingensmith. Chris Wilcox, will have the same role and title in the Douglas County office.
Kellner is also bringing back chief deputy district attorney Eva Wilson to lead the Elbert County office.
For the last 16 years, Wilson has worked in the 1st Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Prior to that, she was a prosecutor in the 18th for 20 years.
With respect to upcoming major trials, Kellner has asked George Brauchler to stay with the office as the leader of the prosecution team for the STEM School shooting in Highlands Ranch. Brauchler is expected to serve as a chief deputy district attorney through the completion of that trial, which is scheduled to begin Feb. 1.
Kellner and his team will be sworn in, along with the rest of the office, on Jan. 12.
JUDICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
The 17th Judicial District Nominating Commission has nominated six candidates for two district court judgeships, one created by voters’ decision not to retain Judge Tomee Crespin, and the other by the retirement of Chief Judge Emily Anderson. The vacancies will occur on Jan. 12 and Jan. 23, respectively.
Nominees Amanda DeWick of Broomfield, Bryon Large of Aurora, Brett Martin of Commerce City, Bradley Varmo of Thornton, Teri Vasquez of Broomfield and Joseph Whitfield Jr. of Aurora were selected by the commission on Dec. 28.
Under the Colorado Constitution, the governor has 15 days from Dec. 29 to appoint two of the nominees as district court judges for the 17th Judicial District, which includes Adams and Broomfield counties.
Comments regarding any of the nominees may be sent via e-mail to the governor at [email protected].
NEW PARTNERS
WilmerHale announced that, as of Jan. 1, Nora Passamaneck has been promoted to partner in the Denver office. Passameneck practices in litigation/controversy and intellectual property litigation.
She has counseled clients and assisted with matters before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, including inter partes review proceedings, and her cases span a range of technological fields, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, microprocessors, telecommunications networks and internet technologies.
She received an undergraduate degree from New York University and a law degree from the Boston University School of Law.