DOUGLAS J. FRIEDNASH was appointed and sworn in as Denver City Attorney on August 15, 2011. He was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Doug Friednash, is a graduate of Manual High School and a third-generation Coloradoan. Doug graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Business Economics and Political Science in 1984. He then received a J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1987 where he received the Outstanding Graduate award from the University of San Diego Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Following law school, Doug worked on the Dukakis Presidential Campaign in 1987-1988 and then returned to Colorado to work in the Colorado Attorney General’s Office-Criminal Enforcement Section. In 1992, Doug was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives where he served two terms representing Southeast Denver.
Before joining the Hancock administration, Doug was a Shareholder in the international law firm of Greenberg Traurig LLLP. Doug’s prior practice included handling some high profile public cases. He served as lead counsel in Ritchie v. Ritter, representing a coalition of businesses, non-profit corporations, college, and individuals that successfully challenged the constitutionality of Amendment 54 (sole source contract prohibition). Previously, he served as lead counsel to the First Amendment Council, a coalition of Colorado-based individuals, non-profit corporations and businesses that challenged the constitutionality of Amendment 41 in Developmental Pathways v. Ritter. Doug also handled campaign finance litigation. For example, he successfully defended a campaign finance case filed by Clear the Bench against the Colorado Bar Association, University of Denver, and League of Women Voters. Doug successfully represented Congressman Coffman in defense of ethics charges brought by Colorado Ethics Watch. He also has represented numerous political and issues campaigns, including the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Tri-State Generation and Transmission, Coloradans for Responsible Reform, and the Creekside Coalition. Doug served as counsel to candidate campaigns including Senator Mark Udall’s Senate campaign and Mayor Hancock’s committee. He also recently drafted legislation which passed the Colorado legislature which addressed ballot reform and accountability in the initiative process.
In addition, prior to joining the Hancock administration, Doug's practice included representation of companies in complex commercial litigation. He has experience in appellate proceedings and alternative dispute resolution forums. He also provides advice and defense in administrative and regulatory matters. His recent litigation experience includes representation of a national pharmaceutical benefit management company and the largest privately-held jeweler in the United States in complex commercial litigation and trademark infringement issues.
Aside from his many professional achievements, Doug is known among his peers, colleagues and friends as an individual immensely committed to enhancing the well-being of the Denver and surrounding communities through volunteer and financial commitments to a variety of local charities and causes. Specifically, Doug serves in a volunteer leadership role either as a member of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, or as a general organizational member with the following organizations: Board of Directors, Denver Public Schools Foundation and the University of San Diego School of Law Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Awards & Recognition
- Listed, Chambers & Partners USA Guide, an annual listing of the leading business lawyers and law firms in the world, 2010 & 2011.
- Listed, 2009 Lawyers of the Year, Law Week Colorado.
- Best Government Lawyer, 2009 & 2010 Barrister's Best, Law Week Colorado.
- Finalist, 2009 & 2010 Denver Business Journal Power Book Awards.
- Recipient of Power Book Award in the Category of Law, 2011, Denver Business Journal Power Book Award.
- Chamber Champion, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, 2011
Deputy City Attorney
SCOTT MARTINEZ was appointed and sworn in as Denver Deputy City Attorney on January 9th, 2012.