LAW WEEK COLORADO
Private practice attorneys Benjamin F. Gibbons of Monte Vista, and Patrick H. Hayes, Jr. and Matthew K. Hobbs, both of South Fork, have been selected as finalists for a soon-to-be-vacant spot on the Rio Grande County Court.
Five people applied for the position, Colorado Judicial Branch spokesman Jon Sarche said.
The 12th Judicial District Nominating Commission named the three as finalists to succeed the Hon. Michael H. Trujillo, who retires effective Jan. 11.
Gov. Bill Ritter has 15 days from today to appoint one to the position. Comments regarding any of the nominees may be sent via e-mail to the governor at judicial.appointments@state.co.us
The governor’s office released these biographies of the finalists:
Benjamin F. Gibbons of Monte Vista is currently in private practice with Benjamin F. Gibbons, P.C., formerly known as Gibbons & Associates, where he has practiced since 2004. His practice is currently comprised of representation of local agencies (25%), bankruptcies and foreclosures (10%), criminal defense (25%), domestic relations (15%), and general civil litigation (25%). Prior to his current position, he was a partner with Crites & Gibbons, P.C., (1996-2004) and worked with Kobe Laboratories, Inc. in Arvada (1992-1995); Blair College in Colorado Springs (1991-1992); Yu, Stomberg, Houtoria & Cleveland, P.C. in Cherry Creek (1991); and Wixco Services in Arvada (1988-1990). Mr. Gibbons earned a B.A. from the University of Indiana (1979), an M.S. from Purdue University (1984), and a J.D. from the University of Denver (1988).
Patrick Henry Hayes, Jr. of South Fork is currently a sole practitioner with Hayes Law, P.C. in Alamosa, where he has practiced since 2004. His practice consists of criminal law (95%) and administrative law (5%). Prior to his current position, Mr. Hayes was a magistrate with the Town of Creede (2001-2004), a magistrate with the 12th Judicial District (2001-2002), an attorney with S.W. Atencio and Associates, P.C. (2001-2002), Chief Deputy District Attorney and Deputy District Attorney with the 12th Judicial District, District Attorney’s Office (1996-2000, 2003-2004), an Assistant District Attorney with the Payne County District Attorney’s Office in Oklahoma (1996), and an Assistant District Attorney in the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office in Oklahoma (1994-1996). Mr. Hayes earned a B.B.A. from Cameron University (1987) and a J.D. from Oklahoma City University (1994).
Matthew K. Hobbs of South Fork is currently an attorney with Matthew K. Hobbs, P.C., in a professional partnership with Zollars, Hobbs, and Ulrich, LLC, d/b/a San Luis Valley Law Firm, where he has practiced since January of this year. His practice consists of civil litigation (50%), real estate (10%), municipal law (20%), probate and estate planning (10%), civil rights and employment issues (5%) and other business related work (5%). Prior to this position, Mr. Hobbs was an attorney with Farish & Hobbs, P.C. (2006-2009), an attorney with Eugene L. Farish, P.C. (2004-2006), and an attorney with the Office of University Counsel for the University of Colorado (2001-2004). Mr. Hobbs earned a B.A. from Castleton State College in Vermont (1992) and a J.D. from the University of Colorado (2001).
