Denver lawyer Willie Shepherd bristles at the notion that he’s a phoenix rising from the proverbial ashes.
The once prominent attorney, who started the law firm Kamlet Shepherd & Reichert with pal Jay Kamlet and later Lee Reichert, nearly crashed and burned in 2009 after separating from the firm he helped build. Shepherd left in May 2009 before he received a public censure in March 2010 for misrepresentations he made while at that firm.
Shepherd was ordered to pay $127.50 in investigative costs for misrepresenting to a potential client the diversity at the firm, which he falsely claimed was at least 50 percent minority and/or female owned.
Court filings also stated that Shepherd knowingly made a misrepresentation to the transition team of President Barack Obama by sending a biography that said he was a co-chairman of a gubernatorial transition team and co-chairman of a mayoral transition team.
On Thursday, Shepherd was back in the spotlight as the star of his new firm, Shepherd Law Group, on 17th and Market streets.
“I don’t see what transpired as a huge roadblock,” he said during an interview last month. “I’m moving on, and I have moved on.”
The new firm consists of seven lawyers. Shepherd and his former firm are on good terms, he said.
“I wish Willie success in his endeavors and anticipate great things from he and his colleagues,” Kamlet said last month.
For his part, Shepherd said, “I wish those guys nothing but the best.”
Shepherd, who was a rising star within the Democratic Party, was expected by many to launch a run for the Denver mayor’s office at one point.
James Mejia, who has announced his mayoral candidacy, was among the roughly 300 folks who showed at the party to wish Shepherd well.
Business bigwigs attending the soiree included milkmen Eddie and Dick Robinson, and Charlie Walling; Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce president Eric Lee; PR pro Jean Galloway; Vectra Bank honcho Bruce Alexander; Denver City Council member Carla Madison; DORA chief Barbara Kelley; Colorado Automobile Dealers Association exec Tim Jackson; city Auditor Dennis Gallagher, and fellow lawyers Penfield Tate and Steve Farber.
“I’m really, really excited for Willie,” Lee said. “He put back on his boots and hit the track. For an African-American male to build one of Denver’s premiere law firms, it’s what I would expect.”
Cry Baby back.
Cry Baby Ranch, the “cowboy kitsch” store in Larimer Square, should be back in business today after Suite 200, the nightclub above, had a sewer backup on New Year’s Eve that leaked down to the store below.
“It screwed up her hardwood floors,” said Larimer Associates’ chief operating officer Joe Vostrejs of owner Roxanne Thurman‘s shop, which has been in business more than 20 years.
Stock Show season is a critical selling time for Thurman, who is to hold a custom-boot show Saturday.
Consolidation.
The Restoration Hardware stores at FlatIron Crossing and Park Meadows are closing at the end of this month.
The Cherry Creek mall location will remain open, with an extended lease and remodeled interior.
At FlatIron, Cozy Cottage, an antiques and home-decor store, will take over the Restoration Hardware space. Park Meadows is dividing the store’s space between three retailers, two that are new to the market, according to general manager Pam Schenck-Kelly, who declined to divulge the names.
EAVESDROPPING
One man to another at Ned Kelly’s Irish Pub in downtown Littleton during skirt or kilt night:
“Do you want another drink?”
“Heck, yes, I want a drink. I am standing in a dress at a bar.”
Penny Parker’s column appears Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Listen to her on the “Caplis & Silverman” radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-630 AM. Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail pparker@denverpost.com.
