(February 12, 2018, DENVER) Sherman & Howard L.L.C., an Am Law 200 law firm, announced that four associates have become members of the firm.

The new members are: Cory Kalanick, and Jay Leonard, both of the Denver office, Caroline Bess Pearce of the Aspen office, and Matt Hesketh of the Phoenix office.

“Caroline, Matt, Jay and Cory have distinguished themselves as talented lawyers who are vested in helping clients achieve success in their business endeavors.  These four attorneys demonstrate the professional excellence and community focus that our members exemplify.  We appreciate their contribution to the firm and are proud to welcome them into membership,“ said Greg Densen, Chief Executive Officer of Sherman & Howard.

Matt Hesketh (Member, Litigation, Phoenix) – Focuses on contractual disputes, corporate and business matters, administrative law, and appellate litigation. Matt has significant experience working with government entities, and he also represents businesses and public employers in labor and employment litigation, including discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination lawsuits.

Matt is admitted to practice in Arizona and the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.  He is on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Educational Foundation, a non-profit celebrating and honoring educational excellence in Arizona public schools.  Matt also is on the executive committee for the Horace Rumpole American Inn of Court, an organization promoting professionalism in the legal community. Matt is a 2011 graduate of the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law and holds degrees in Political Science and History from the University of Arizona.

Cory Kalanick (Member, Public Finance, Denver) – Represents local governments, special districts and other political subdivisions, as well as underwriters and lenders, in public finance transactions, election law, constitutional law and economic development matters in Colorado and around the Rocky Mountain West.  He works with local governments throughout the bond issuance process and provides legal advice regarding applicable federal and state securities and tax laws in connection with the issuance and refinancing of public debt. Cory has worked on the financing or refinancing of multifamily housing projects, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, qualified small issue manufacturers, schools, universities, public transportation systems, water and wastewater facilities, hospitals, community and cultural centers and public safety amenities.

Cory is admitted to practice in Colorado.  He is active in various civic and community organizations including the Colorado Lawyers Committee (Election Task Force and the former Housing Task Force), the Legal Aid Foundation Associates Advisory Board and the Colorado BlueFlower Fund, as well as through his service as board Treasurer to the Downtown Denver Expeditionary School. Cory is also a graduate of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Impact Denver program (class of 2015) and served as a member of the Infrastructure for Cities and States Working Group, Clinton Global Initiative America 2014.  Cory is a 2011 graduate of University of Minnesota Law School and holds a degree in Political Science and History from Boston University.

Jay Leonard (Member, Litigation, Denver) – Represents and advises clients, both domestically and internationally, on business issues and in actions brought before state and federal courts.   He also represents clients in arbitration proceedings concerning complex commercial disputes, intellectual property issues, employment matters, business tort actions, and insurance recovery efforts.  Jay also founded the firm’s Brewery Group in 2015, a sub-specialty of the firm’s broader Food & Beverage Group.  The Brewery Group caters to the specific legal needs of brewery owners by offering a multi-disciplinary service platform in areas such as corporate, real estate, litigation, labor and employment, intellectual property, among others.

Jay is admitted to practice in Colorado and the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.  He is on the Board of Advisors for Colorado Succeeds, a group of Colorado business leaders who have joined forces to make sure the education system works better and smarter for residents of Colorado.  He also is a member of the Colorado Brewers Guild, a non-profit trade association promoting and protecting Colorado’s craft brewing industry.  Jay is a 2010 graduate of Syracuse University College of Law and holds degrees in Political Science and Spanish from Colorado State University.

Caroline Bess Pearce (Member, Tax & Estate Planning, Aspen) – Provides counsel on a full spectrum of estate planning, estate and trust administration, wealth management, wealth transfer, marital planning, and charitable giving matters to individuals and families, estates and trusts, closely-held businesses, foundations, and individual and corporate fiduciaries.

Caroline is admitted to practice in Colorado.  She is a member and past president of the Pitkin County Bar Association and a member of the Rocky Mountain Estate Planning Council, a local organization of professional estate planners focused on the education of members and the public in estate planning.  Caroline is a 2010 graduate of the University of Colorado Law School and holds degrees in French and Anthropology from the University of Colorado.

About Sherman & Howard

Sherman & Howard L.L.C. is an Am Law 200 law Firm with ten offices located in Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Missouri, and New Mexico.  Our Firm’s more than 190 attorneys provide high-quality legal and business solutions to a broad range of clients including private, public and government entities throughout the nation and abroad.  We have preeminent capabilities in the aerospace and government contracting, infrastructure and construction, financial services, natural resources, telecommunications, technology, manufacturing, consumer products and retail, and nonprofit industries. With more than two dozen attorneys who focus exclusively on estate and tax planning as well as family and matrimonial law, Sherman & Howard also boasts one of the nation’s most respected private client practices.