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Law Alumni Board Member Douglas Friednash Appointed Denver City Attorney

DENVER (July 27, 2011)—Today, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock appointed Greenberg Traurig LLP shareholder Douglas J. Friednash, '87, as city attorney. Friednash is among six cabinet members appointed thus far to the Hancock administration. In this new capacity as city attorney, Friednash will represent all city officials, agencies, departments, board and commission. He will oversee 88 attorneys and 91 staff members.

"Doug brings to the position an astute legal mind, a blend of public and private experience and a deep love of our great city," Mayor Hancock said. "With compelling legal skills and the wherewithal to navigate oftentimes critical political terrain, he will be an outstanding member of this team."

Friedhash has several years of local and state public sector experience specializing in election law. Earlier this year, he helped defend several nonprofit organizations from allegations that they violated campaign finance laws by publishing voting information about Colorado Supreme Court justices. In March, an administrative law judge dismissed a lawsuit against the groups. From 1992 to 1996, Friednash served as a Colorado state representative for southeast Denver and co-chaired the Colorado Democratic Leadership Council.

"I think this is the greatest job an attorney can have in the state," Friednash said. "The intersection of public policy, politics and law is kind of the key aspect of this job."

Friednash is a current member of the USD Law Alumni Association Board of Directors and joined the board in the 2007-2008 academic year.