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Law firm updates
Ireland Stapleton Pryor & Pascoe announced that Nancy Cohen, a trial attorney with an additional focus on legal ethics and professional responsibility, has joined the firm. Cohen brings more than three decades of litigation experience and will continue her work in attorney regulation, commercial litigation and legal ethics at Ireland Stapleton’s Denver office.
Former U.S. Air Force Defense Counsel Annie Sturges has joined Taft, formerly Sherman & Howard, in the firm’s Denver office. With a background in criminal litigation, Sturges is transitioning her practice to focus on labor and employment matters and will represent clients in federal and state employment-related claims.
The judiciary
The 13th Judicial District Nominating Commission has nominated two candidates for a district court judgeship created by the resignation of Judge Justin Haenlein, effective May 1. Nominees David Wayne Bute of Brush and Kimbra Leigh Killin of Holyoke were selected by the commission on May 30. The governor has 15 days to appoint one of the nominees as district court judge for the 13th Judicial District serving Kit Carson, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma counties. Comments regarding any of the nominees may be emailed to the governor.
The 15th Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet on June 17 via video conferencing, to interview and select nominees for appointment by the governor to the office of county court for the 15th Judicial District serving Baca County. The vacancy will be created by the appointment of Judge Lyudmyla Lishchuk to the Morgan County Court bench. Applications are due no later than 4 p.m. on June 17.
The 18th Judicial District Nominating Commission has nominated three candidates for a new district court judgeship, effective on July 1, created by the passing of Senate Bill 25-024. Nominees Bryce David Allen of Aurora, Trenton Wayne Ghoram of Peyton and James Xavier Quinn of Denver were selected by the commission on June 2. The governor has 15 days to appoint one of the nominees as a district court judge for the 18th Judicial District serving Arapahoe County. Comments regarding any of the nominees may be emailed to the governor.
Gov. Jared Polis appointed Kelly McPherson and Sherri Gryboski to the 4th Judicial District Court. McPherson’s appointment is to fill a new judgeship created pursuant to Senate Bill 25-024 and is effective July 1. Gryboski’s appointment is created by the resignation of Judge David Gilbert and is effective July 12. McPherson is a magistrate in the 4th Judicial District, a position she’s held since 2025. Her docket consists of domestic relations matters. Previously, she was the founding partner and attorney at Knies, Helland, and McPherson Law from 2017 to 2024, attorney at Dailey Law from 2016 to 2017 and attorney at Black and Graham Law from 2015 to 2016. McPherson earned her bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2004, and her law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2015. Gryboski is a district and county court magistrate in the 4th Judicial District, a position she’s held since 2021. Her docket consists of domestic relations matters. Previously, she was a child and family investigator/child legal representative from 2018 to 2021, adult guardian ad litem from 2012 to 2021, private attorney at Sherri Gryboski P.C. from 2008 to 2021, deputy district attorney in the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office from 2000 to 2008 and attorney at the Law Firm of J. Douglas Scherling in 1999. Gryboski earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida in 1994, and her law degree from Hamline University School of Law in 1999.
Polis also appointed Sara Price to the 17th Judicial District Court. The appointment is to fill a new judgeship created pursuant to Senate Bill 25-024 and is effective July 1. Price is a district court magistrate in the 17th Judicial District, a position she’s held since 2021. Her docket consists of probate, mental health and adoption matters. Previously, Price was an associate attorney at Frazer-Abel Law LLC from 2015 to 2021, associate attorney at Pelegrin Radeff & Frazer-Abel PC from 2013 to 2015, law clerk for Judge Stephen Munsinger from 2010 to 2013 and attorney at the Law Office of Charles H. Torres PC from 2009 to 2010. Price earned her bachelor’s degree from University of New Hampshire in 2004, and her law degree from Pace University School of Law in 2008.
The 23rd Judicial District Nominating Commission has nominated three candidates for a new district court judgeship, effective on July 1, created by the passing of SB25-024. Nominees Beth Ann Elliott-Dumler of Larkspur, Stacy Kourlis Guillon of Sedalia and Donna Stewart of Castle Rock were selected by the commission on June 4. The governor has 15 days to appoint one of the nominees as a district court judge for the district. Comments regarding any of the nominees may be emailed to the governor.
Kudos
Hall Estill, a regional Southwestern law firm, with offices in Denver, Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Northwest Arkansas, announced the election of Andrew Romanow to its executive committee. Romanow joined the firm as a shareholder in 2016 in the Denver office and is the first attorney from Denver to be elected to the executive committee. He leads the firm’s food and agribusiness practice. He also works with businesses and entrepreneurs on general business, transactional and regulatory matters, including formation and governance, litigation and event response, standards of conduct and internal investigations, compliance and risk management matters.