The six-year chief executive of Colorado’s oldest law firm has passed the reins to longtime litigator and former federal prosecutor Stefan Stein, who has set forth an agenda of using the firm’s brand to capture some of the region’s emerging legal demand.

Leadership at Denver-based Sherman & Howard said the decision follows a trying 22-month period for outgoing CEO Greg Densen, of running the firm amid a global health crisis while also maintaining a profitable trust and estates practice full time. Densen plans to continue serving on the firm’s executive committee, aid Stein in the transition and practice law full time, according to firm leaders.