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Law Firm Updates
Spencer Fane LLP announced March 20 that Carly Sirota joined the labor and employment practice group as an associate in the firm’s Denver office. Sirota most recently served as an honors attorney for the United States Postal Service and previously spent time as an associate attorney and law clerk at Boyle Shaughnessy.
Holland & Hart announced March 22 that real estate associate Addison Fairchild joined the firm in its Denver office. Fairchild works on renewable energy projects and supports small and large clients at all stages of commercial project development. Fairchild is admitted to practice in Missouri and Nebraska and is temporarily authorized to practice in Colorado, pending admission under C.R.C.P. 205.6.
Buchalter added two shareholders in its Denver office, the firm announced March 23. Betty Arkell joined the corporate practice group and Terry Freeman joined the firm’s commercial finance practice group. In Arkell’s ilegal practice, she leverages corporate finance and merger and acquisition experience to guide companies through the corporate lifecycle. Freeman has experience in structuring, documenting and servicing commercial and corporate finance transactions.
The Judiciary
The Colorado Judicial Department announced March 23 that finalists for the Boulder County Court judgeship vacancy, created by the death of Judge Kristy Martinez, were selected. The 20th Judicial District Nominating Commission nominated three candidates, Shana Beggan of Erie and Monica Haenselman and Elizabeth Kelley, both of Boulder. Under the Colorado Constitution, the governor has 15 days from March 23 to appoint one of the nominees.
The 10th Judicial District announced a vacancy for the office of district judge for the 10th Judicial District (Pueblo County), created by the May 20 retirement of Judge Larry Schwartz. The 10th Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet at the Pueblo Combined Courts on May 15 to interview and select nominees for appointment by the governor. To be eligible, the applicant must be a qualified elector of the 10th Judicial District and must have been admitted to the practice of law in Colorado for five years.
The 9th Judicial District announced a vacancy for the office of district judge for the 9th Judicial District (Garfield, Pitkin and Rio Blanco counties), created by the July 1 retirement of Judge James Berkley Boyd. The 9th Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet at the Garfield County Courthouse on June 5 to interview and select nominees for appointment by the governor. To be eligible, the applicant must be a qualified elector of the 9th Judicial District and must have been admitted to the practice of law in Colorado for five years.
Kudos
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck shareholder Melissa Kuipers Blake was appointed to the board of directors of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce for a three-year term. Kuipers Blake has been involved with the organization for 15 years and will work on the board to advance the interests of Colorado businesses.
VF Law announced Colorado partner Damien Bielli was appointed to the Community Associations Institute National Amicus Curiae Committee. CAI is an international membership organization that provides information, education and resources to homeowner volunteers. Bielli has experience representing homeowner associations, insurance carriers, policyholders and nonprofit organizations concerning insurance defense, complicated enforcement and general counsel.
Colorado Super Lawyers recognized 10 attorneys from Hall & Evans. Seven of the 10, Benton Barton, Valerie Garcia, David Gelman, Chad Gillam, David Jones, Matthew Ninneman and Ryan Winter, were recognized on the Colorado Super Lawyers list. Garcia was also listed in Top 50 Women and Top 100 Lawyers. Another three were recognized on the Colorado Rising Stars 2023 list: Brooke Churchman, Michael Helland and Andrew Reitman.
Kalamaya Goscha announced several of its attorneys were recognized by Colorado Super Lawyers, including Ryan Kalamaya on the Colorado Super Lawyers list for his work in family law. Four attorneys, Georgina Melbye, Elizabeth Hardman, Michael Fox and Leanna Gavin were recognized on the Colorado Rising Stars 2023 list.
Colorado Super Lawyers recognized five attorneys from Levin Sitcoff Waneka, including Bradley Levin, Jeremy Sitcoff, Susan Minamizonoand Nelson Waneka on the Colorado Super Lawyers list for their work in insurance coverage. Robyn Levin was recognized in the Colorado Rising Stars 2023 list for her work in insurance coverage. Levin was also included on the Top 10 and Top 100 lists, Sitcoff was included on the Top 100 list and Minamizono was listed in the Top 50 Women.
Robinson Waters & O’Dorisio announced 14 of its attorneys were recognized by Colorado Super Lawyers, including Nicholas Labor in the Colorado Rising Stars 2023 list for his work in general litigation. Jennifer Alldredge, Tracy Ashmore, Bryan Biesterfeld, Harold Bruno III, Douglas Ferguson, Juli Lapin, Anthony Leffert, Peter Moore, John O’Dorisio, Jr., William Rapson, Timothy Shea, Betcher Staab and Paul Timmins were recognized on the Colorado Super Lawyers list. O’Dorisio, Jr. was also included on the Top 100 list.
Colorado Super Lawyers recognized 16 attorneys from Ogborn Mihm including Elizabeth Hyatt, Peter McClenahan, Michael Mihm, Thomas Neville, Michael Ogborn, Murray Ogborn, Nicole Quintana, Steven Shapiro, Jason Wesoky, Melissa Winthers, Clayton Wire on the Super Lawyers list. Five attorneys, James Fogg, Amanda Pfeil Hood, Amy Rogers, Kylie Schmidt and Emily Stevens were included on the Colorado Rising Stars 2023 list.