Colorado

19 ‘right to dry’ states outlaw clothesline bans; is yours among them?

Once upon a time, a clothesline was a standard feature of most back yards. But concern that publicly airing clean laundry attached with clothespins to a rope or wire was unsightly, or obstructed views, or even created a safety risk (strangulation is sometimes cited) led a number of condominium associations…

Aug 14, 2013 8:24 PM CDT

DA indicts opposing counsel in criminal case, says lawyer took Fifth over subpoenaed letter

A Colorado criminal defense lawyer has been indicted by a La Plata County grand jury on suspicion of tampering with evidence in a murder investigation. Attorney Brian Schowalter is accused of withholding a letter related to a homicide investigation of a client, Shanice Smith, who was sentenced to eight years…

Aug 14, 2013 3:55 PM CDT

Lawyers in multiple states face inquiry, or worse, over legal fees in mortgage foreclosure matters

Attorneys in multiple states are in the news due to alleged violation of rules concerning the fees they charged clients seeking mortgage modifications or concerns that they may have used questionable billing practices while representing lenders in foreclosure cases. In California, attorney Stephen Siringoringo was ordered by the State Bar…

Aug 9, 2013 10:30 AM CDT

Judge says 2 cities can maintain pit bull bans that accommodate service animals

Two Colorado cities have done enough to accommodate the disabled owners of pit bull dogs that are also service animals, a federal judge in Denver has ruled. After a 2011 federal court decision that found flat-out bans of the entire breed violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, the city of…

Aug 5, 2013 8:45 PM CDT

Attorney-client privilege prevents associate from aiding AG’s law firm billing probe, partner argues

A Colorado lawyer who helped the state attorney general gather evidence in a billing probe of her law firm was its special counsel at the time, a partner testified in a Thursday court hearing. However, Susan Hendrick hotly denied that she had represented Aronowitz & Mecklenburg, and said she was…

Jul 26, 2013 1:18 PM CDT

6-lawyer team exits Patton Boggs for Jackson Lewis

A six-lawyer team including four partners has exited the Washington, D.C., and Denver offices of Patton Boggs for Jackson Lewis. They specialize in environmental and health and safety law, reports Bloomberg. The 750-attorney Jackson Lewis, which is particularly known for its employment practice, has brought in 17 lateral partners this…

Jul 12, 2013 5:05 PM CDT

Law prof files discrimination charge, alleges ‘stark inequality’ in pay for men and women

A law professor has filed a federal administrative complaint against the University of Denver, contending that she has been a victim of gender discrimination and is paid less than comparable male faculty. Lucy Marsh alleges in her Tuesday complaint that the university’s Sturm College of Law pays full professors who…

Jul 10, 2013 11:30 AM CDT

How to tame ‘discovery genie’? Trial judges must consider cost-benefit, Colo. supremes say

Trial judges have to take an active role in managing discovery, the Colorado Supreme Court has ruled in a dispute over a request for millions of pages of paper and electronic documents. The court said in an opinion (PDF) last week that trial judges should consider cost-benefit as well as…

Jul 2, 2013 10:45 AM CDT

Ballard Spahr adds 5-lawyer Featherstone team to its Denver office

Ballard Spahr has added a five-lawyer litigation team from Featherstone Petrie DeSisto to its attorney roster in Denver, the firm announced Monday. Headed by Andrew J. “Drew” Petrie, the group also includes another partner, one counsel and two associates. “We are fortunate to be able to bring into the firm…

Jun 24, 2013 10:25 PM CDT

Young victims and their families are blamed after physical attacks

In an ugly response to a pervasive problem of abusive treatment of children by other children, fellow teens and adults have blamed the victims of recent physical attacks and even entire communities have seemingly turned on the victims and their families. In Elmwood, Ind., a pregnant 13-year-old who says she…

Jun 24, 2013 6:17 PM CDT

Federal judge OKs suit over ‘shocking’ claim 911 operator told harassed man to return to crime scene

Disagreeing with a recommendation by a magistrate that a civil rights case should be dismissed, a federal judge in Denver gave a green light on Monday to a family’s lawsuit over the death of a Sudanese refugee. Soon-to-be victim Jimma Reat, 25, and others called 911 in April 2012 reporting…

Jun 18, 2013 10:15 PM CDT

Judges correct 124 sentences after early release of suspect in prison-chief slaying

Judges in Colorado have corrected 124 prison sentences for inmates and parolees after an error led to early release of a suspect in the slaying of Colorado prisons chief Tom Clements. The corrections were the result of a massive audit ordered after the early release of Evan Spencer Ebel, report…

Jun 7, 2013 3:01 PM CDT

Judge OKs insanity plea for accused shooter in Colo. movie theater massacre

Establishing the framework for pretrial proceedings for the man accused of killing 12 people and injuring 70 more in a Colorado movie theater shooting spree last summer, a state court judge on Tuesday ruled that defendant James Holmes can change his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity. Holmes,…

Jun 4, 2013 7:30 PM CDT

General counsel takes plea over golf outing credit-card charges

The general counsel of a Colorado transportation agency wound up in the rough over golf outings he was accused of charging on a company credit card around the time when he was scheduled for continuing legal education and professional meetings. Walter Mathews IV was fired by Roaring Fork Transportation Authority…

May 29, 2013 5:33 PM CDT

Accused shooter in Colo. movie theater massacre seeks insanity plea

Lawyers for James Holmes, who is accused of killing 12 people and injuring 70 others in an Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting spree last summer, is seeking court permission to change his not guilty plea. In a Tuesday filing (PDF), lawyers for Holmes say they intend to “tender a plea…

May 8, 2013 4:38 PM CDT