An article by HBC attorney Maureen Eldredge entitled "Financing Solar Power Projects - How To Make It Work" is the lead article in the December 2011 Newsletter of the Boulder County Bar Association. The article may be viewed here.
Bill Meyer Participates in Fact-Finding Mission to Libya with the International Legal Assistance Consortium
Bill Meyer, a partner with Hutchinson Black and Cook LLC, recently participated in an eight-day fact-finding mission to post-war Libya on behalf of the International Legal Assistance Consortium (ILAC) based in Stockholm, Sweden. The international mission, organized by the Arab Organization for Human Rights, investigated a variety of human rights issues throughout western and central Libya. The fact-finding team traveled to Tripoli, Zawiya, Sabrata, Al-Khoms, Zliten, Misrata, Taworgha, and Sirte, where they interviewed torture victims, current detainees, and members of the Libyan Transitional National Council, local revolutionary shuras, and militias. In addition, the team investigated torture sites, detention centers, NATO bombing sites, battlefields, and other areas where abuses allegedly occurred. The team report will be presented to Libyan authorities and international organizations before the end of December 2011.
Deadline for Registered Trademark Owners to Block .XXX Domains is October 28, 2011
A new Top-Level Domain (TLD) with the suffix ".xxx" is currently being launched specifically for websites that provide adult content. In order to protect holders of registered trademarks and service marks who do not want their mark associated with a .xxx domain, the registry responsible for the .xxx launch is currently offering an opportunity to block such registrations. This opportunity is only available to owners of federally registered trademarks or service marks and will only be available through October 28, 2011.
For an explanation of how the .xxx blocking process (called "Sunrise B") works, contact HBC to speak with one of our attorneys specializing in trademarks and intellectual property or visit the ICM Registry's website dedicated to the .xxx launch. If you would like assistance in blocking registration of a .xxx domain in connection with your registered trademark or service mark - or any other matter relating to your intellectual property portfolio - our attorneys would be happy to help.
Connie Eyster Named 2012 Denver Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers®
Connie Eyster has been named by Best Lawyers® as the “Denver Best Lawyers Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year” for 2012.
After more than a quarter of a century in publication, Best Lawyers is designating “Lawyers of the Year” in high-profile legal specialties in large legal communities. Only a single lawyer in each specialty in each community is being honored as the “Lawyer of the Year.”
Best Lawyers compiles its lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. The current, 18th edition of The Best Lawyers in America (2012) is based on more than 3.9 million detailed evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers.
The lawyers being honored as “Lawyers of the Year” have received particularly high ratings in Best Lawyers' surveys by earning a high level of respect among their peers for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity.
Steven Naifeh, President of Best Lawyers, says, “We continue to believe – as we have believed for more than 25 years – that recognition by one’s peers is the most meaningful form of praise in the legal profession. We would like to congratulate Ms. Eyster on being selected as the ‘Denver Best Lawyers Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year’ for 2012.”
Six HBC Attorneys Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2012
Six attorneys from Hutchinson Black and Cook, LLC were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2012 (Copyright 2011 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.). The selected attorneys include Bill Meyer (commercial litigation), Brad Peterson (construction law), Jim Carpenter (corporate law), Kim Hult (medical malpractice law), Baine Kerr (medical malpractice law - plaintiffs), and Connie Eyster (trusts and estates).
Since its inception in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Because Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey in which more than 41,000 leading attorneys cast almost 3.9 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas, and because lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.”
Connie Eyster to Host Discussion of "The Art of the Steal" at the Dairy Center for the Arts on September 7
HBC attorney Connie Eyster will share her expertise in wills, trusts and estates as the discussion leader following a screening of the documentary film "Art of the Steal" at the Dairy Center for the Arts in Boulder, CO, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 7, 2011. "Art of the Steal" is about the fate of the Barnes Collection, a private collection of artwork valued at $25 billion, after the death of Dr. Albert C. Barnes, and the effects of Dr. Barnes' final wishes on the dispotion of the Collection. The film runs for 90 minutes and a 30-minute talkback session led by Connie will follow. Tickets are available at the Dairy Center's website, www.thedairy.org, for $10.
Maureen Eldredge appointed Co-Chair of Business Law Section
HBC Partner Maureen Eldredge has been appointed to be a co-chair of the Business Law Section of the Boulder County Bar Association for 2011-2013.
Maureen Eldredge represents Cantoo LLC in Condo Sale
Maureen Eldredge recently provided legal counsel to Cantoo LLC and owner Norm Blum, on the sale of its premium commercial condo located at 902 Pearl St. in Boulder. Angela Topel of Gibbons-White was the real estate broker for Cantoo LLC on the transaction. Mr. Blum develops and manages commercial real estate in the Boulder area. The condo was sold to an entity owned by Quick Left, Inc., a software developer and website designer. Hutchinson Black and Cook represents a number of other commercial property owners on Pearl Street and throughout Colorado.
Carla Sledge attends LEGUS network meeting
Carla Sledge attended the annual meeting of LEGUS International Network of Law Firms in Seattle, Washington. HBC has been the exclusive Colorado member of LEGUS for over 12 years. LEGUS has 67 member law firms worldwide with 41 firms located throughout the U.S., Canada, British Virgin Islands and Dominican Republic and in 26 other countries across the globe, allowing HBC to offer its clients seamless representation in any member state or country. For more information on LEGUS, click on the LEGUS logo / link on the HBC home page.
Amy Hirter appointed as Vice-Chair of ABA International Law Section Committee
Amy Hirter has been appointed as vice-chair of the ABA Section of International Law's Mergers, Acquisitions and Joint Ventures Committee, beginning August 1, 2011.
Founded in 1933, the ABA Section of International Law is the leader in the development of policy in the international arena, the promotion of the rule of law, and the education of international law practicioners. The Section's purposes are to promote interest, activity and research in international and comparative law and related areas; to further its development; to diffuse knowledge among members of the legal profession and others; to formulate professional opinion thereon; to promote professional relationships with lawyers similarly engaged in other countries; and to "advance the rule of law in the world." For more information about the Section, visit its website at www.americanbar.org/groups/international_law.html.
Melissa Sullivan to speak at Trust and Estate Law Seminar
Melissa Sullivan will be a presenter at the upcoming Annual Legislative Update for the Taxation, Trust & Estate, Real Estate, and Business Law Sections of the Colorado Bar Association on June 8, 2011, where she will speak about recent legislative updates affecting trust and estate law. Members of the CBA may RSVP for this event by calling (303) 860-1115 x727 or emailing lunches@cobar.org. More information is available from the CBA at www.cobar.org.
Bill Meyer elected Chair of International Legal Assistance Consortium (ILAC)
Bill Meyer was elected chair of the International Legal Assistance Consortium (ILAC) at its annual general meeting held April 14-16, 2011, in Lisbon, Portugal. ILAC is a consortium of non-governmental organizations with experience in rebuilding justice systems, which has come together to improve the current international capability to deal with these issues in post-conflict scenarios. ILAC today has more than 40 member organizations, and represents more than three million lawyers in various parts of the world. For more information about ILAC, visit its website at www.ilac.se.
HBC to Sponsor Third Boulder International Business Forum on May 12, 2011
HBC is once again pleased to sponsor the 2011 Boulder International Business Forum, a series of presentations and discussions on international business topics. The third International Business Forum will take place at the offices of HBC (921 Walnut Street, Suite 200, in Boulder) on Thursday, May 12, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. This session will focus on export assistance programs, explaining when an export license is required and what steps a business should take to comply with laws governing export of goods and services A discussion of government funding and other resources to encourage exports will follow the presentation. This session will answer questions such as:
- What is a "deemed export"?
- Is an export license required to provide professional services to foreign customers?
- Does the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) apply to our foreign sales agents?
- Can our company benefit from the CO-EXist Program or Export Development Grants?
- What assistance is available to help companies deal with export issues?
Registration is free, and can be done by calling HBC at (303) 442-6514 or by sending an email to baudier@hbcboulder.com. Please RSVP in advance, as space is limited. Parking is available across Walnut Street at the St. Julien Hotel or at metered street parking along Walnut.
Scam Alert for Colorado Business Owners and Registered Agents
Owners and registered agents of business entities registered at the Colorado Secretary of State (such as corporations or limited liability companies) may have received an official-looking but misleading solicitation letter titled "Periodic Report" asking for payment of $225 to the "Corporate Controllers Unit" to file the entity’s corporate report. The letter falsely implies that the filing fee for Periodic Reports in Colorado has been increased to $225, and that such payment must be made through the "Corporate Controllers Unit."
In fact, the fee for filing a Periodic Report in Colorado remains only $10.00, and it may be paid online directly through the Colorado Secretary of State's website. The "Corporate Controllers Unit" is a private company, and the letter is a solicitation of business for its service of filing Periodic Reports on behalf of your business entity. Entity owners are under no obligation to accept the "Corporate Controllers Unit" solicitation or to respond to this letter.
Entity owners should be aware that as of January 1, 2012, postcard notifications will no longer be mailed by the Colorado Secretary of State to the registered agents of Colorado entities or to the entity. Registered agents and business owners may (and should) sign up for e-mail notification service with the Secretary of State so that important filing dates are not missed and any filings relating the entity will be promptly noted.
If you have any questions, HBC business attorneys would be happy to speak with you regarding your entity's specific situation.
Connie Eyster Voted Colorado Rising Star for 2011
HBC partner, Connie Tromble Eyster, has again been honored among the state’s up-and coming attorneys by her selection as a Colorado Rising Stars for 2011 by the publishers of Colorado Super Lawyers®.
Bill Meyer, Baine Kerr, and Christopher Brauchli Voted 2011 Colorado Super Lawyers®
Three Hutchinson Black and Cook lawyers, Bill Meyer, Baine Kerr, and Christopher Brauchli have been voted 2011 Colorado Super Lawyers® by the publishers of Law & Politics magazine after a state-wide survey and independent review of the lawyers’ credentials. HBC is very proud to have its lawyers recognized by their peers and to be named Colorado Super Lawyers®.
HBC Sponsors Second Boulder International Business Forum on April 5, 2011
HBC is sponsoring the 2011 Boulder International Business Forum, a series of presentations and discussions on international business topics. The second International Business Forum will take place at the offices of HBC (921 Walnut Street, Suite 200, in Boulder) on Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. This session will focus on how cultural factors affect deal negotiations and business relationships. Our speakers are experts with years of experience in China, Europe, India and South Korea. Audience discussion will follow the presentation. Registration is free, and can be done by calling HBC at (303) 442-6514 or by sending an email to baudier@hbcboulder.com. Space is limited. Parking is available across Walnut Street at the St. Julien Hotel or at metered street parking along Walnut.
HBC sponsors Boulder International Business Forum 2/16/11
HBC is pleased to sponsor the 2011 Boulder International Business Forum, a series of presentations and discussions on international business topics of interest to Colorado businesses. The first International Business Forum will take place on Wednesday, February 16, beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the Boulder Chamber of Commerce. That session will focus on cleantech business transactions in the international arena. Registration is free, and can be done through the Chamber of Commerce at www.BoulderChamber.com or by calling (303) 442-1044. You can also contact HBC attorney Amy Hirter, whose practice concentrates in international business transactions, for more information.
Maureen Eldredge becomes HBC's newest member 1/1/2011
As of January 1, 2011, Maureen Eldredge became Hutchinson Black and Cook, LLC’s newest member. Maureen has been with the firm since 2006. She will continue to focus her practice on helping new businesses get started on the right foot, and helping established businesses in all of their corporate legal needs, including contracting, private financing, employee equity plans and real estate acquisitions. In addition, Maureen provides a variety of immigration services to corporations and individuals, including immigration law compliance, employment and family-based visas. When not in the office, Maureen can be found coaching her daughter’s soccer team, riding horses and skiing. Hutchinson Black and Cook is delighted to have Maureen as a member and colleague.
Kimberly Hult returns from sabbatical 1/1/2011
HBC is delighted to welcome back Kim Hult from her year-long sabbatical abroad. Kim and her family spent 2010 in Morocco, where they made many friends and explored the Sahara, the Atlas Mountains and the traditional medinas of Marrakesh and Fes. When her husband, a philosophy professor at CU-Boulder, wasn't working on his Arabic, her children weren't studying at their French school, and Kim wasn't desperately trying to upload photos to her blog, the family traveled to southern Europe, Egypt, South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. For Kim, the best parts of the year included spending lots of time with her family and all those who came to visit them, traveling whenever possible, and taking advantage of the fabulous shopping in the Rabat, Fes and other medinas (for presents, of course). Kim now fancies herself something of an expert on travel in Morocco (and other parts of Africa), especially with children, and is more than happy to share her thoughts and ideas for exploring North Africa.