No Higher Calling, No Greater Responsibility with Attorney General John Suthers
Colorado Attorney General John Suthers has never shied away from tackling the tough issues surrounding the powerful role of public prosecutors in the United States. In 2008, he published a book, No Higher Calling, No Greater Responsibility, that drew on his personal experiences as a local, state, and federal prosecutor, with insights on how to make the system better for everyone involved. On May 22, 2012, Suthers will speak at a special 1-hour Literary Lawyers CLE presentation on the issues in his book and thoughts on recent cases and experiences. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Attorney General Suthers’ insights first hand. All attendees will also receive a copy of his book.
Coach’s Corner: Do You Have What It Takes to Start a Firm?
Solo or small-firm lawyers need all the traits of an entrepreneur: motivation, acceptance of risk, resiliency, commitment, persistence. You may think you have these traits in abundance, but what do they really mean on a personal level if you want to run your own firm? A new resource enables lawyers to get some definitive answers for themselves. The U.S. Small Business Administration now offers a self-test aimed at anyone interested in starting a small business.
First Judicial District Announces New Jefferson County Court Judgeship
The First Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet on Wednesday, June 27, 2012, to interview and select nominees for appointment by Governor Hickenlooper to the office of County Judge for Jefferson County. The new county court judgeship was created pursuant to HB 12-1073 and is effective July 1. Applications must be received by Monday, June 11.
Rebecca Love Kourlis is 2012 Recipient of John Marshall Award
On Thursday, May 17, 2012, the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS) at the University of Denver announced that its Executive Director, Rebecca Love Kourlis, has been named the recipient of the prestigious 2012 John Marshall Award, presented by the American Bar Association Justice Center. The ABA Justice Center established the John Marshall Award to recognize individuals who are dedicated to the improvement of the administration of justice.
Colorado Court of Appeals: Week of May 13, 2012 (No Published Opinions)
The Colorado Court of Appeals issued no published opinions and thirty-three unpublished opinions for the week of May 13, 2012.
Resources
State Judicial Revises Probate, Adoption, and Small Claims Forms and Instructions
The Colorado State Judicial Branch has issued several revised forms and instructions over the past month. Updates were made in the areas of adoption, probate, and small claims, as well as filing fees. Practitioners should begin using the new forms immediately. Download the new forms here or from State Judicial’s individual forms pages.
Colorado State Judicial Revises Many JDF Instructions and Forms in March
As part of its continuing efforts to keep JDF forms up-to-date, the Colorado State Judicial Branch revised several instructions and a few forms in March. Practitioners should begin using the new forms and instructions immediately. Forms were updated in the categories of Family Law, Appellate Law, Small Claims, Criminal Law, County and District Civil, Trust and Estate, Probate, Protective Proceedings, and Protection Orders.
State Judicial Issues New Forms for Mobile Home FED Actions
The Colorado State Judicial Branch developed and released several new forms related to mobile home forcible entry and detainer (FED)/eviction actions. Practitioners should begin using the new forms and instructions immediately.
Medical Marijuana
Spark the Discussion: Hemp for Victory
In the final weeks of the Colorado legislative session, while House Democrats and Republicans were fiercely battling over same-sex civil unions, a landmark piece of drug policy reform legislation snuck through the Legislature nearly-unopposed. The “Hemp Bill,” or HB 12-1099, sets up the framework for the study and use of industrial hemp, and seeks to use this “taboo” crop to clean up contaminated soil through a process called phytoremediation. If signed into law, Colorado could become the first state in the nation to grow industrial hemp since the 1930s.
Updates
First Judicial District Announces New Jefferson County Court Judgeship
The First Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet on Wednesday, June 27, 2012, to interview and select nominees for appointment by Governor Hickenlooper to the office of County Judge for Jefferson County. The new county court judgeship was created pursuant to HB 12-1073 and is effective July 1. Applications must be received by Monday, June 11.
William Alexander Appointed to Tenth Judicial District Court Bench
On Friday, May 11, 2012, Governor John Hickenlooper announced his appointment of William Alexander to serve as a district court judge in the Tenth Judicial District, effective June 1. Alexander will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable C. Dennis Maes. Alexander, of Pueblo, currently serves as the Presiding Municipal Court Judge for the City of Pueblo.
Colorado Supreme Court Authorizes Transfer of Surplus Attorney Registration Funds to Colorado Legal Services
On Friday, May 11, 2012, the Colorado Supreme Court announced that it has voted unanimously to transfer $750,000 in 2012, and another $750,000 in 2013, from the Court’s attorney registration fund to Colorado Legal Services. Colorado Legal Services will use the funds to further its mission of providing pro bono legal services in civil matters to Colorado’s indigent population. The Court found the attorney registration fund had a surplus and concluded that using some of the money for this purpose would have no negative impact on the Office of Attorney Registration or Office of Attorney Regulation.
Legislation
SB 12-184: Allowing Owners of Special Mobile Machinery Fleets to Register Their Vehicles Once a Year and Have Special Tags
On May 4, 2012, Sen. Bill Cadman introduced SB 12-184 – Concerning the Registration of Special Mobile Machinery Fleets, and, In Connection Therewith, Making an Appropriation. The bill allows an owner of more than 10 pieces of special mobile machinery to register all new special mobile machinery quarterly with the county and to obtain and use special mobile machinery plates, stickers, or certificates to designate that the registration for the machinery is pending.
Community
Rebecca Love Kourlis is 2012 Recipient of John Marshall Award
On Thursday, May 17, 2012, the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS) at the University of Denver announced that its Executive Director, Rebecca Love Kourlis, has been named the recipient of the prestigious 2012 John Marshall Award, presented by the American Bar Association Justice Center. The ABA Justice Center established the John Marshall Award to recognize individuals who are dedicated to the improvement of the administration of justice.
Wheels of Justice Leans into a New Season: June 6 Kick-Off Party at the Denver Athletic Club
It was just seven years ago that Wheels of Justice made its first appearance in the Courage Classic, a three-day bike tour that raises money for Children’s Hospital Colorado. Last year, it boasted 213 riders and raised $290,000, making it the ride’s top fundraising team for the second year in a row. On Wednesday, June 6, 2012, Wheels of Justice will kick off its seventh season in style on the rooftop of the Denver Athletic Club (DAC) with free food and drinks.
Practice Management
Coach’s Corner: Do You Have What It Takes to Start a Firm?
Solo or small-firm lawyers need all the traits of an entrepreneur: motivation, acceptance of risk, resiliency, commitment, persistence. You may think you have these traits in abundance, but what do they really mean on a personal level if you want to run your own firm? A new resource enables lawyers to get some definitive answers for themselves. The U.S. Small Business Administration now offers a self-test aimed at anyone interested in starting a small business.
Job Search & Career Transition
The Failure Chronicles: Giving Up on Quitting (Part 3)
Whenever we get deep into something we judge as not going well, we start to panic. “Quit while you can,” the voice of fear says, “because the odds are getting worse by the minute. You’re going to fail.” It’s a good thing that sometimes those fearful warnings fall on deaf ears. Otherwise we’d never get to make heroes out of people who persevered and triumphed even though everyone told them to give up. We love those stories, and ours could be one of them.
