Boulder DA Ends Term Early to Rejoin Former Firm

Stan Garnett will join Brownstein’s litigation department March 1

STAN GARNETT

Stan Garnett will return to Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck after almost a decade away.

The law firm announced Thursday that Garnett, who served nearly 10 years as district attorney for Boulder County, will return to the firm March 1 as a shareholder. Garnett will rejoin the firm’s litigation department where he spent 22 years as a trial lawyer prior to assuming the position of district attorney.


Garnett was elected to his third four-year term as district attorney in November 2016 and was set to be term-limited in 2020. Prior to that year’s election, he also asked county commissioners to consider asking voters to extend the three-term limit.

According to Garnett, the decision to end his term now is in part motivated by the knowledge that he’s “not getting any younger.” 

“Being term-limited, I told my staff I’m the one person in the office who does not have a long-term job,” Garnett said. “It’s not uncommon in last terms that a District attorney will step aside to take an opportunity.”

With a shortage of senior lawyers with deep trial experience in the marketplace and having previously worked at the firm, it made sense for Garnett to make the move. 

The firm leadership expressed excitement about Garnett’s homecoming as well.

“We are delighted to welcome Stan back to the firm,” said Adam Agron, Brownstein’s managing partner. “Our firm was built on a commitment to public service, and we have no doubt that our clients and colleagues will benefit from Stan’s experience and exceptional record leading Boulder’s district attorney’s office.”

During his tenure as district attorney, Garnett focused his efforts on prosecuting economic crimes, crimes in the immigrant and homeless communities and homicide cold cases. 

Garnett was elected to three terms as DA and prioritized prosecuting violent and recidivist offenders, especially those who present a threat to public safety, as well as outreach to more vulnerable populations such as the elderly. Garnett’s office, through its Sexual Assault Unit, also focused on sexual crime and crimes against women.

Since 2012, Garnett has served on the board of directors of the National District Attorneys Association and has been involved in promoting restorative justice and other progressive criminal justice reforms in Colorado, especially in the area of juvenile jurisprudence. In 2017, he was elected as president of the Colorado District Attorneys Council.

Garnett said he’s not sure yet what his move to private practice means for the remainder of his time as president of CDAC, though he does plan on continuing to work with the organization in its lobbying efforts through the legislative session.

Prior to being elected district attorney for the 20th Judicial District in November 2008, Garnett was a senior member of Brownstein’s litigation department. 

His practice focused on complex litigation at the state and federal levels, and he has appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court, the 10th and 11th U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals, the Colorado appellate courts and in state and federal trial courts across the U.S.

Garnett said he doesn’t know who will take his place as district attorney in the 3rd Judicial District but that he will work with Gov. John Hickenlooper in an advisory role to help Hickenlooper fill the position.

Ballard Spahr Completes Merger with Lingquist & Vennum

Ballard Spahr’s Colorado offices grew by eight following the firm’s merger with Lindquist & Vennum. 

The merger was officially completed Jan. 1, and the Colorado-based attorneys completed their physical move into the Denver office of Ballard Spahr over the weekend of Jan. 6 

The Denver office won’t see any structural changes in the office’s leadership following the merger, though two Lindquist attorneys have joined as partners: Pat Compton and Ted Hartl. 

Compton is a commercial litigator with a focus on consumer finance. Denver office managing partner Steve Suflas said Compton’s move to the firm will provide him with a bigger geographic footprint to his practice while also enhancing the firm’s litigation practice. 

Hartl brings with him a focus on bankruptcy, a new capability for the Denver office, managing partner Steven Suflas said.  

In addition to Compton and Hartl, the Ballard Spahr gained two attorneys of counsel and four associates. Gary Davenport joined of counsel and has expertise in oil and gas and natural resources. John Murray also joins of counsel and will join the firm’s corporate practice.

The associates will work in the firm’s bankruptcy and litigation departments. 

Prior to the merger, Lindquist & Vennum had 150 attorneys in offices in Denver, Minneapolis and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Minneapolis and Sioux Falls offices add new territory to Ballard Spahr.

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