Once-prominent Denver lawyer and Democratic fundraiser Willie Shepherd is facing trial in January on a misdemeanor domestic-violence charge.
Shepherd, 44, the former finance co-chairman of the Democratic National Convention host committee and $100,000-plus bundler for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, pleaded not guilty to the charges last month at a Denver court hearing.
Denver police on Sept. 13 were called to Shepherd’s house by his wife, Sarah Trainor-Shepherd, who said she had been the victim of domestic violence, according to the arrest affidavit.
The court document says police officers noticed a red mark on her brow and bruises on her face and arm, but Trainor-Shepherd then told police she did not want to press charges.
State law requires police to make an arrest in domestic-violence cases if they believe a crime has been committed.
The next day, authorities learned Trainor-Shepherd had reported being struck by her husband Sept. 6 and had received seven stitches at Rose Medical Center, according to the affidavit.
Shepherd was arrested Sept. 14 by Denver police on suspicion of hitting his wife.
He posted a $2,000 bond and was released from jail the next day.
He also is charged with negligent child abuse, a misdemeanor. The details surrounding that charge were not made available by the courts because it involves a minor.
Shepherd, through his attorney, declined to comment.
Shepherd founded the law firm Kamlet Shepherd & Reichert with Jay Kamlet and later Lee Reichert. He left the firm under controversy.
In March 2010, he received a public censure by the Colorado Attorney Regulation Counsel for misrepresentations made while at that firm. Court documents say Shepherd overstated to a client the firm’s diversity and knowingly made a misrepresentation to the transition team of President Barack Obama about his experience.
Shepherd was ordered to pay $127.50 in investigative costs.
Since then, Shepherd has started Shepherd Law Group, located at 17th and Market streets.
Research librarian Barbara Hudson contributed to this report.
Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com
