Through a recent open records request, Face the State obtained dozens of e-mails sent and received by tenured CU law professor Melissa Hart. While this proved to be a story in and of itself, one e-mail from a prominent Denver attorney stood out, referencing Hart's opposition as "social vampires" who "will seek to rise from the grave."
This email was sent by James Lyons, a partner at the Denver law firm Rothgerber, Johnson & Lyons.
Independence Institute's Jon Caldara: a vampire?FTS File Photo/Illustration
Lyons, who notably represented members of the board of directors for Qwest Communications, frequently represents the City of Denver, most recently serving as lead counsel earlier this year in a case against the ACLU and protesters alleging that the city had unfairly limited free speech rights. In 2008, Lyons gave thousands to Colorado Democrats running for office, as well as $2,300 to President Barack Obama's presidential campaign.
In his post-election congratulatory message to Hart (PDF), Lyons wrote, "Kudos and hallelujahs for defeating Amendment 48 [sic]. Ms [Jessica] Peck Corry and the forces of darkness at the Independence Institute were righteously turned back. However, I fear that, like the social vampires they are, they will seek to rise from the grave. I am hopeful that you are standing guard - wooden stake and mallet in hand."
"Mr. Lyons is someone who regularly receives a paycheck from our government so I'm shocked that he would show such a disregard for an amendment that received support from 49.2 percent of Colorado voters," Corry responded. "I've never met the man, so it's rather sad and pathetic that he'd resort to such personal attacks."
In an e-mail to Face the State, Hart responded, "I would not characterize the e-mail from Mr. Lyons as reflective of my personal sentiments on the proponents of Amendment 46."
Lyons did not return multiple requests for comment.
Rothgerber, Johnson & Lyons is well known for serving as a home base for other notable liberals, including Trey Rogers, who was an attorney there until 2006, when he became chief counsel for Gov. Bill Ritter, a Democrat.
(Full disclosure: Corry, quoted above, is a regular editorial contributor to FTS.)
Pot calls kettle black
On February 4th, 2009 Honyocker says:
Let me get this straight: A lawyer who takes taxpayer money to defend the city government's violations of its citizens' first amendment rights is throwing around terms like "social vampire"? I would suggest taking a long look in the mirror, Mr. Lyons, but there probably wouldn't be any reflection.