Recht Kornfeld grows ethics and media law practices

DENVER (AP) — Recht Kornfeld PC has added three veteran attorneys to its team, strengthening the firm’s legal ethics and professional responsibility practice while launching a new media law division.

The firm announced that Christopher P. Beall, Jane Cox and John Gleason have joined its ranks, expanding its capabilities in constitutional law, attorney regulation and legal malpractice defense.

Beall, a seasoned First Amendment and media law litigator, brings more than 25 years of experience representing journalists, publishers and media organizations in complex legal matters. He previously served as Colorado’s Deputy Secretary of State under Jena Griswold and as Deputy Attorney General under Phil Weiser. His practice includes defamation, court access, journalist protections and intellectual property. He is a recipient of the Edward Sherman Award from the ACLU of Colorado and the “Friend of the First” honor from the Colorado Press Association.

Cox joins the firm with a deep background in attorney regulation. A former Assistant Regulation Counsel for the Colorado Supreme Court’s Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel, she has represented hundreds of attorneys in disciplinary proceedings and advised on matters involving judicial discipline and client protection. She frequently speaks on ethics and professionalism and has served as an expert witness in legal ethics cases.

Gleason adds further experience to the firm’s ethics practice. A former police detective, he led Colorado’s attorney regulation office from 1999 to 2013. In 2013, the American Bar Association honored him with its Michael Franck Award for his contributions to legal ethics. That same year, the Arizona Supreme Court recognized his role in the disbarment of former Maricopa County District Attorney Andrew Thomas, one of the most high-profile attorney discipline cases in the nation.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chris, Jane and John to our team,” said Kelly Page, shareholder and member of Recht Kornfeld’s executive committee. “Jane and John’s combined experience significantly strengthens our ability to serve Colorado’s legal community, while Chris’s addition launches our new media law practice, expanding our capabilities to serve journalists, publishers and media organizations facing First Amendment challenges.”

The firm said the new additions position Recht Kornfeld as a leading resource for legal ethics in Colorado and mark a strategic expansion into media and constitutional law.