John Walsh, Denver’s incoming district attorney, announced key members of the leadership team that will join him after he assumes office on Jan. 14.

Walsh, who formerly served as the top federal prosecutor in Colorado, replaces outgoing District Attorney Beth McCann.

With more than 120 years of combined legal experience, Walsh’s new team will include:

Matthew Kirsch, currently the United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, will serve as first assistant district attorney.

Darryl Shockley, currently a judge in Denver’s District Court and a former prosecutor in the Denver District Attorney’s Office, will serve as assistant district attorney.

Lara Mullin, currently an assistant district attorney in the Denver District Attorney’s Office, will remain in her position.

Zach McCabe, currently an assistant district attorney in the office, will serve as senior chief district attorney for district courts.

Liza Willis, currently chief of staff in the Denver District Attorney’s Office, will remain in her position.

Kirsch and Shockley will join the office in February, according to a statement from Walsh’s office.

“These outstanding lawyers and public servants will play integral roles in my administration, and I am deeply grateful that they have agreed to join our team,” Walsh said. “The depth and breadth of their professional experiences, backgrounds and perspectives will help take the Denver District Attorney’s Office to new levels of effectiveness as we work to make Denver an even safer and more just city.”

During a Dec. 4 Safety, Housing, Education & Homelessness Committee meeting, Walsh asked the Denver City Council for a 4% annual pay raise beginning next year, which would have placed his starting salary at $254,609 instead of $244,816. He said he had to ask for a pay raise now — otherwise, that window would be closed for the next four years.

In its last meeting of 2024, the council voted 9-2 to approve the pay bump for Walsh, although he will have to wait a year before it hits his bank account.

A last-minute amendment introduced by District 3 Councilmember Jamie Torres froze the DA’s salary in 2025 but would apply the 4% pay increase to 2026, 2027 and 2028.

In short, because of a recent amendment to state law, Torres said, there would actually be savings at the end of four years.

Specifically, Torres referenced Senate Bill 24-013, which goes into effect July 1, 2026, and which mandates the salary of attorneys working in a district attorney’s office to match the compensation of a full-time county court judge, with the state covering 50% of that minimum.

The council approved the amendment unanimously.

Walsh will be sworn in at 11 a.m. Jan. 14 in the atrium of the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building in Denver. A ceremonial swearing-in and community celebration will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 16 in the McNichols Building in Denver.