May 10, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Starrs and Garnett Inducted into International Academy of Trial Lawyers

DENVER - Elizabeth A. Starrs and Stanley L. Garnett have been inducted into what is widely regarded as the most exclusive and prestigious trial lawyer group in the world, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (IATL).

They are the first Colorado lawyers inducted into IATL since 1999.

Since it was founded in 1954, the IATL has invited only 13 Colorado attorneys into its ranks. Five of those lawyers went on to become federal and state judges.

Starrs, a partner in the law firm Starrs Mihm & Caschette, LLP, is the first woman in Colorado to be inducted into the academy. She is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the past president of the Denver Bar Association and current secretary of the Colorado Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. She is also active in the Colorado Women's Bar Association. Starrs has extensive experience trying high profile cases. Her practice focuses on complex civil litigation including legal malpractice, employment, commercial and insurance bad faith matters.

Garnett, a shareholder at Brownstein Hyatt & Farber, P.C., is a senior member of the firm's sizeable litigation department, handling cases ranging from securities, products liability, and trade secrets, to construction, real estate, and commercial leasing. He recently was listed as one of the "Best Lawyers When Filing Suit" in CoBiz Magazine's "Best of Colorado Business" feature. Garnett represented Congressman Mark Udall in Colorado's nationally watched Congressional redistricting case, Salazar v. Davidson, 79 P3d 1221 (Colo. 2003). He also advised Farallon Capital Management of San Francisco in litigation involving the creation of the Great Sand Dunes National Park.

They join a list of well-known Colorado legal figures in becoming fellows of IATL. Future state Supreme Court Justice William Erickson was Colorado's first IATL inductee in 1964. He was joined by future U.S. District judges Fred Winner in 1969 and Jim Carrigan in 1973. Jim Clark also was inducted in 1973. U.S. District Judge John Kane was inducted in 1977 prior to going on the bench as was U.S. Circuit Court Judge Carlos Lucero, who was inducted in 1978. Charles Brega was inducted in 1985, John Kobayashi in 1986, James Lyons in 1996, John Purvis in 1997 and William Gray in 1999.

Academy membership is by invitation only. Members are engaged in civil and criminal trial practice from both the plaintiff's and the defendant's side of the counsel table.

Trial attorneys are admitted to fellowship in the academy following a series of reviews and votes by local judges. The IATL says invitations to membership are extended only if both their peers and the judiciary believe the candidate possesses, in an exceptional degree, the following qualifications: superior skill and recognized ability in trial and appellate practice, services rendered in promoting the best interests of the legal profession and the highest standards and techniques of advocacy and excellent character and absolute integrity."

For many years the academy was extensively involved in working with the emerging nations of the former Eastern Block as they created a rule of law in their respective countries. In 1994, the academy shifted its focus to China. Each year the Academy sends a delegation of fellows to Beijing at the invitation of the Chinese government and lectures on American legislation, jurisprudence and the rule of law in the United States. In addition, each year the academy brings 10 Chinese attorneys, all of whom are high ranking Chinese political officials, to the United States to teach them about American law.

About IATL:The purpose of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, founded in 1954, is to cultivate the science of jurisprudence; promote reforms in the law; facilitate the administration of justice; elevate the standards of integrity, honor and courtesy in the legal profession and cherish the spirit of brotherhood among members.

About Brownstein Hyatt & Farber, P.C.:Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with offices in Washington, D.C., Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Brownstein Hyatt & Farber, P.C. provides legal services throughout the United States. The firm offers comprehensive counsel to local, national and international companies, public entities, and non-profit organizations in numerous industries, including financial services, manufacturing, homebuilding, technology and telecommunications, energy, education, entertainment, and governmental services. Brownstein Hyatt & Farber, P.C. was founded in Denver in 1968 by Norm Brownstein and Steve Farber.

About Starrs Mihm & Caschette, LLP:Starrs Mihm & Caschette, LLP is a firm of seasoned trial lawyers specializing in complex civil and white-collar criminal cases. The firm's practice includes business and commercial litigation, securities and health care fraud, legal and accounting malpractice, employment, insurance recovery litigation, wrongful death and white-collar criminal defense matters. The firm also acts as local counsel for out-of-state law firms in complex litigation cases.

For More Information:Contact Robert A. Weiss, public relations counsel to Starrs Mihm & Caschette, LLP at (303) 298-1676 or Martha Cusick, director of marketing and communications for Brownstein, Hyatt & Farber, P.C. at (303) 223-1375.