Steamboat Springs — Two longtime friends and Steamboat Springs residents have joined to form the Cantafio Hammond law firm.

Ralph Cantafio and Kris Hammond went to law school together at University of Colorado School of Law in Boulder before they both moved to Steamboat in 1986. The attorneys have been friends since but have always practiced law independently.

“Ralph and I have talked about joining forces several times over the course of our careers,” Hammond said.

For one reason or another, they could not make it work over the past 29 years.

“It’s a pretty neat opportunity, and we look forward to working together,” Cantafio said.

Cantafio said a shuffling of attorneys at both firms made the merger possible.

Adam Mayo had been working with Hammond for the past 10 years until deciding to open his own firm at 57 10th St.

“It was time for me to move on and start my own practice,” said Mayo, who specializes in criminal, personal injury and family law.

Hammond brought attorney Todd Elenz with him to the Cantafio firm, which is located in the Chieftain Building at Fourth Street and Lincoln Avenue.

“We can offer a lot more legal services under one roof,” said Hammond, who has focused on criminal and civil litigation.

Cantafio Hammond now has four attorneys at its Steamboat office and three attorneys at its Denver office.

A series of changes at Cantafio’s firm also made the partnership work.

Cantafio’s former partner Rick Eddington moved to Denver to work at a different firm. Cheryl Hardy-Moore retired, and Lynaia South took a job with Routt County as assistant county attorney.

“She had an opportunity to go there, and it was a really good fit for her,” Cantafio said.

Claire Sollars joined Cantafio to handle water law and real estate.

“As other players moved in different directions, we brought new players in,” Cantafio said.

To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247, email mstensland@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @SBTStensland