Don Knox, LAW WEEK COLORADO
DENVER — The managing partner of Top 25 Colorado law firm Otten Johnson Robinson Neff & Ragonetti said in a telephone message to Law Week Colorado that he’s sorry to see four litigators, including three partners, leave the firm but emphasized that many of the firm’s litigators are staying.
Michael Westover, the managing partner, also said that Otten Johnson has had only one layoff round, not two, as reported earlier in Law Week. (The earlier story has been corrected.) Additionally, Westover said he believes the firm is doing well “all things considered” when compared to other Denver law firms.
“We’re certainly sorry to see Darrell and the others leave; they are terrific lawyers and good partners,” Westover said in the telephone message, referring to shareholders Darrell Waas, Patricia Campbell and Mikaela Rivera, and to associate Kathryn Hopping. The four announced Monday that they would leave to start their own litigation firm at 17th and Market streets downtown.
Law Week this week noted Otten Johnson’s historical emphasis in real estate law, which been affected harder that other general corporate practice areas.
Westover said he can’t say whether the firm has, in fact, been harder hit than other mid-sized firms.
“I think we’re doing well, all things considered,” he said.
Most Denver law firms have not been immune to the effects of the current global recession, although some of have managed to avoid layoffs.