Alumni

The Sam Cary Bar Association: Colorado’s Vanguard for Black Attorneys

Robyn Munn — Thu, 29 May 2025 16:25:01 +0000

The Sam Cary Bar Association: Colorado’s Vanguard for Black Attorneys Robyn Munn Thu, 05/29/2025 - 10:25

Hon. Gary Jackson '70

The following article, Sam Cary Bar Association: Colorado’s Vanguard of Black Attorneys, originally appeared in The Colorado Magazine, Spring/Summer 2025. It is reprinted here with permission from History Colorado. You can view the original publication on History Colorado’s website.

Originally published online: May 7, 2025
Author: Hon. Gary Jackson ’70

In the spring of 1971, seven young attorneys met in a Denver office and embarked on a singular mission: to advance equal opportunities for Black lawyers and judges.

It is almost commonplace today to see Black prosecutors carrying the torch of democracy and fulfilling the American principle that the rule of law should apply to all people equally. Former Vice President Kamala Harris as San Francisco District Attorney; Alvin Bragg, New York County District Attorney; Fani Willis, District Attorney of Fulton County, Georgia; and Jerry Blackwell, former Minnesota prosecutor in the George Floyd murder trial are all Black prosecutors who gained nationwide media attention in prosecuting celebrity defendants for criminal conduct.

But even in the not-so-distant past, things were so very different.

I graduated from the University of Colorado Law School (CU Law) in 1970. At that time, the nation was divided over the Vietnam War (among other issues), with student protests at Kent State, Jackson State, the University of California at Berkeley, and various other colleges and universities across the nation. The country was still reeling from the untimely deaths of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and presidential candidate Robert Kennedy. The Black Power movement was impacting all aspects of my life. In the legal arena, the death penalty had been declared unconstitutional in the case Furman v. Georgia by the US Supreme Court. The Hon. Thurgood Marshall was the Black Supreme Court justice we had revered since his selection in 1967, when Jim Cotton, Sonny Flowers, and I were admitted to CU Law. Edward Brooks of Massachusetts was the first Black US senator since the Reconstruction years. Shirley Chisholm of New York was the first Black person to run for president of the United States.

In 1970, when I was hired as a deputy Denver district attorney, I was the only Black deputy DA in the state of Colorado. There was one Latino deputy DA—Roy Martinez—but there were no Asian Americans and only four women who held the office: Anne Gorsuch, mother of current US Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch; Ann Allott, sister-in-law of Gordon Allott, a former US senator; Marilyn Wilde; and Orrelle Weeks, who later became our first Denver Juvenile Court woman judge. All four women were siloed into the non-support section of the office, collecting child support payments or practicing law in the juvenile section.

My “welcome” to the Bar of Colorado was a 1969 photograph in The Denver Post with Art Bosworth, David Fisher, and Bob Swanson. We had been hired as legal interns by Mike McKevitt, Denver District Attorney. Each of us wore a suit and tie. The only difference in our appearance was the three-inch afro on my head, the goatee on my chin, and, of course, my skin color. The photograph set off a firestorm of anonymous letters and even a negative editorial comment by a Colorado Supreme Court justice who called my appearance a disgrace to CU Law and the Denver District Attorney’s Office. My moment of celebration for the achievement of academic success initiated me immediately into the resistance that lawyers of color have faced ever since we entered the profession of law and the American Bar Association in 1925.

A gathering of District Attorney's office alumni in 1982. The photograph was taken on the steps of the old District Attorney Building on Speer Blvd and Colfax. At least 10 members of that staff became County, District, and Presiding Disciplinary judges.

Courtesy of Gary M. Jackson

Filling the Need for an Affinity Association

Sometime in the spring of 1971, Billy Lewis called a meeting at his office on 1839 York Street, inviting six other Black attorneys. Lewis, a graduate of Denver’s Manual High School and the first Black scholarship basketball player for the University of Colorado in 1956, was a graduate of Howard University, the historic Black law school in Washington, DC. He had an integrated law firm with Black partners Morris Cole and Phil Jones and white partners Natalie and Hank Ellwood. The other six lawyers who attended the meeting were King Trimble, Raymond Dean Jones, Daniel Muse, Norm Early, Phil Jones, and me.

There were a total of fifteen Black lawyers in the state of Colorado at the time, two of whom were judges. Hon. James C. Flanigan, Denver district judge, was appointed as the first Black judge in 1957 on the Denver Municipal Court bench. Ten long years after Jackie Robinson broke the color line for Blacks in baseball in 1947, Judge Gilbert Alexander was the other Black judge in Colorado.

At that meeting, we decided to create a bar association focusing on the needs of Black attorneys and the issues of our Black community. The organization would be a local one but in the mold of the National Bar Association (NBA), the nation’s oldest and largest national network of predominantly Black attorneys and judges. The NBA was established in 1925 at the convention of the Iowa Colored Bar Association. On August 1, the NBA incorporated in Des Moines, Iowa, as the “Negro Bar Association” after several Black lawyers were denied membership in the American Bar Association. When the number of African American lawyers barely exceeded 1,000 nationwide, the NBA tried to establish “free legal clinics in all cities with a colored population of 5,000 or more.” Its members supported litigation that achieved a US Supreme Court ruling that defendants in criminal cases had to be provided with legal counsel. Members of the NBA were leaders of the pro-bono movement at a time when they could least afford to provide legal services for free. When the Supreme Court outlawed school segregation in Brown v. Board of Education, the NBA was only nineteen years old.

In Colorado, we named our organization the Sam Cary Bar Association (SCBA) after one of Colorado’s first prominent Black lawyers: Samuel Eddy Cary, who had a solo practice in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood. Born in 1886 in Providence, Kentucky, Cary was the first Black graduate of Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas. Admitted to the Colorado Bar in October 1919, he was known for his outstanding trial abilities and for defending the rights of Black, Brown, and poor people. At the time, he was the only Black attorney practicing law in Colorado. On September 30, 1926, Sam Cary had to endure the harshest jolt of his life and career when he was disbarred by the all-white Colorado Bar Association. Exactly nine years later, on October 1, 1935, he was reinstated to the Colorado Bar; he continued practicing law until June of 1945, when he passed away as a result of throat cancer.

In 1971, the founding members of the SCBA researched the late Sam Cary’s background, including the reason for his disbarment. Founders spoke with former Colorado Chief Justice O. Otto Moore, who advised us that the disbarment was both racially and politically motivated at a time when members of the Ku Klux Klan held positions of power in state and local government, as well as in the judiciary. Thus, the SCBA took Cary’s name and became Colorado’s first minority bar association, or what is now known as a specialty or affinity bar association. We were all under thirty-five years of age, activists, community organizers, and fearless in terms of what we wanted to accomplish: equal opportunities for Black lawyers and judges. With no Black partners in the commercial law firms along Denver’s Seventeenth Street, no Black professors at the law schools, and only two Black judges and one Black deputy district attorney in all of Colorado, it was a profession in which many voices were not being heard and the economic rewards were all directed toward white men.

Samuel Eddy Cary was the first Black man to graduate from Washburn Law School in Kansas. He moved to Colorado and began practicing law here in 1919.

Courtesy of Gary M. Jackson

The Vanguard

The Sam Cary Bar Association became the vanguard organization in advancing the need for more lawyers of color and women attorneys in the state of Colorado. It was our mutual belief that forming a Black bar association was necessary for a multitude of reasons. We came together to create a bar to expand our influence—not through separation but through our need for inclusiveness and equity in the legal profession. Each of us became a leader within the legal profession. SCBA played a significant role in expanding the representation of diverse lawyers to key appointments of judgeships, committees, and associations. Importantly, four of the seven founders went on to become city, state, and federal prosecutors at various times in their careers.

Leaders of SCBA were not only local leaders but rose to national acclaim. Wiley Y. Daniel was our tenth SCBA president in 1981. He accelerated to high public profile as Colorado’s first Black federal court judge in 1995, selected by President Bill Clinton. Before his appointment to the bench, he served as the first and only Black president of the Colorado Bar Association from 1992 to 1993. Born in 1946 in Louisville, Kentucky, Daniel earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Howard University. After practicing law for seven years in Detroit, he moved to Colorado in 1977. He immediately became an active member of the SCBA. Appointed chief judge of the US District of Colorado in 2008, Judge Daniel was the president of the Federal Judges Association from May 2009 to April 2011. In 2013 he was appointed as a special mediator for the City of Detroit’s bankruptcy—the largest municipal bankruptcy at that time, involving approximately 18 billion dollars of debt. Judge Daniel, along with a panel of mediators, helped negotiate a settlement with creditors and with city employees regarding their pensions. According to the Associated Press, the settlement led to about 7 billion dollars of debt being restructured or wiped out, and to other financial relief set aside to improve city services.

Another significant case of Judge Daniel’s was Roy Smith v. Gilpin County, Colorado. This civil rights case involved extraordinary allegations of racially motivated crimes against Roy Smith, an African American man, including torture while hanging from a beam in his house, being shot at, and being assaulted with a vehicle. Among other charges, the case alleged that the Sheriff’s Department failed to investigate Smith’s complaints of ongoing racial harassment and failed to protect him based on racial animus. As The Denver Post reported on December 24, 1996, Judge Daniel stated in a hearing that the case had “the most appalling and reprehensible record I’ve ever seen.” He found that the defendants were not entitled in qualified immunity, stating that Smith “demonstrated not only a pattern of deliberate indifference on the part of the individual officers and the Sheriff’s Department, but also presented direct evidence of racial slurs that was[sic] sanctioned by the Sheriff’s Department.” Settled before trial, the case was featured in an episode of 20/20 with Barbara Walters and was the subject of a documentary screened at the Denver Film Society.

Former presidents of the Sam Cary Bar Association, from left to right, Wally Worthan, Hubert Farbes, Earle Jones, Linda Wade Hurd, William Harold Flowers, Jr., Hon. Ray Dean Jones, Hon. Gary M. Jackson and Hon. Wiley Y. Daniel.

Courtesy of Gary M. Jackson

Lastly, Judge Daniel was an extraordinary leader for the Sam Cary Bar Association. He served as chair of the Sam Cary Convention Committee in hosting the sixty-first Annual Convention of the National Bar Association in July 1986. With more than 1,500 Black lawyers and judges coming to Denver, his leadership put the SCBA on the map of the best Black bar associations in the country. Daniel passed away in May 2019.

Hon. Gregory Kellam Scott was appointed a Colorado Supreme Court justice in 1993 by Governor Roy Romer. Graduating from Rutgers in 1970, Scott earned his law degree with honors at Indiana University Law School. He started his career with the US Securities and Exchange Commission in Denver. Scott moved on to teach law at the University of Denver Law School for more than a decade. On the Colorado Supreme Court, he participated in more than 1,000 cases. Scott authored the opinion in Hill v. Thomas, a landmark case that concluded in early 2000 in which the Supreme Court upheld legislation that allowed a buffer zone around anyone entering or exiting healthcare facilities to avoid violence by picketers. During his time on the bench, Scott issued a concurring opinion in the 1994 decision of Evans v. Romer, in which the court blocked the enforcement of Amendment 2, a 1992 constitutional amendment prohibiting government protections for gays and lesbians. “Amendment 2 effectively denies the right to petition or participate in the political process by voiding…redress from discrimination,” Scott wrote. “[L]ike the right to vote which assumes the right to have one’s vote counted, the right peaceably to assemble and petition is meaningless if by law, government is powerless to act.” Scott resigned from the Supreme Court in 2000 and died on April 1, 2021.

A third leader of SCBA who gained national prominence was Norman Strickland Early Jr. Norm Early attended American University and then obtained his Juris Doctorate at the University of Illinois at Champaign. He came to Colorado in 1970 on a Reginald Heber Smith Community Lawyer Fellowship and worked for the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Denver. In 1972 District Attorney Dale Tooley hired Early as a deputy district attorney; he served in the position until 1983, when Governor Richard Lamm appointed him as head of the Denver District Attorney’s Office, a post he held until 1993.

Early became known nationally as a fierce advocate for the rights of victims, and he worked hard to create the most diverse district attorney’s office in the state. He helped establish and lead organizations such as the National Organization for Victim Assistance, for which he served as president. The Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance named its highest honor the “Norm Early Exemplary Leadership Award.” A champion of crime victim’s rights, Early was also co-founder of two premier organizations dedicated to ensuring the success of Black lawyers. He created an organization to unite and advance Black prosecutors in 1983—the National Black Prosecutors Association—with 100 individuals gathered at its first meeting in Chicago, and was elected its first president. In 1971 Early was one of the seven co-founders of the Sam Cary Bar Association. Norm Early passed away on May 5, 2022.

William Harold “Sonny” Flowers, Jr. and Gary M. Jackson in 1991.

Courtesy of Gary M. Jackson

Following in SCBA’s Footsteps

Other specialty bars have followed the lead of the Sam Cary Bar Association. The Colorado Hispanic Bar Association was formed in 1977 with six original incorporators. Today, there are more than 500 Latinx and Hispanic American lawyers—the largest group of attorneys of color in Colorado. The association’s ongoing mission has been to serve Colorado and promote justice by advancing Hispanic interests and issues in the legal profession while seeking equal protection for the Hispanic community before the law.

The Colorado Women’s Bar Association (CWBA) was created in 1978; its first president was Natalie Ellwood, who was employed at the Billy Lewis law firm. The Hon. Zita Weinshienk was the face of the CWBA in the 1970s. She graduated from Harvard summa cum laude in 1958, but, as a Jewish woman, she could not obtain a job with the Seventeenth Street law firms in Denver. In 1964 she became the first woman on the Denver Municipal Court; she was a Denver County Court judge from 1965 to 1971. She was appointed to the Denver District Court in 1972, and in 1979 President Jimmy Carter appointed her as the first woman on the US District Court of Colorado.

The CWBA’s mission has remained the same since its inception: to promote women in the legal profession and the interests of women generally. The founders’ vision has resulted in decades of work promoting gender equality in the legal profession, historic preservation, influencing legislation related to women and children, mentoring, granting scholarships for women law students, fighting discrimination, influencing the selection of judges, and providing training and education. Judge Weinshienk had a personal impact on my own development as a lawyer as well. Serving as her deputy district attorney in Denver County Court in 1971, I was twenty-five years old when I was assigned to her courtroom in the Denver City and County Building and was the only Black state prosecutor in Colorado. At the same time, Judge Weinshienk was the only full-time woman judge, at any level of our state and federal court systems in Colorado.

The Asian American Pacific Bar Association (APABA) was formed in 1990. Its first president, co-founder Lucy Hojo Denson, was an associate in my law firm, DiManna & Jackson, and also became president of the Women’s Bar Association in 2010. APABA is a bar association in Colorado dedicated to advancing Asian-Pacific American lawyers as leaders in the profession. It advocates for issues concerning the Asian American community and spearheads programs benefiting underserved communities, promoting civil justice, and fostering professional development, mentorship, and community.

Formed in 1993, the Colorado LGBTQ+ Bar Association (CLBA) exists to provide a sense of community and belonging for LGBTQ+ individuals in the legal field in Colorado. Through programming and other initiatives, it seeks to provide opportunities for LGBTQ+ legal professionals to interact in safe settings, build meaningful professional relationships, and enhance our members’ community and professional profiles. The CLBA has more than 350 active members and sponsors. Its first president was the Hon. Mary Celeste, a retired presiding judge from the Denver County Court. Luminaries and past presidents include the Hon. Monica Marquez of the Colorado Supreme Court’s incoming Chief Justice; the Hon. Andrew McCallan; and Jon Olofson of the Denver District Court, who has served as secretary of the Sam Cary Bar Association.

The South Asian American Bar Association (SABA) was formed in 2009. Its founder and first president, my former partner Neeti Pawar, was named to the Colorado Court of Appeals and was the first Asian American woman on an appellate court in Colorado. SABA fosters growth and advocacy of justice in the South Asian legal community, serving both the interests of the minority voices it represents and the larger community it serves through programming and community outreach.

Judge Gary M. and Regina Jackson. Judge Jackson won the Hon. Wiley Daniel Lifetime award from the Center for Legal Inclusiveness in 2020.

Courtesy of Gary M. Jackson

A Place for Specialty Associations Today

Today, with no formal barriers for diverse lawyers to become members of the American Bar Association or the Colorado Bar Association, some have questioned whether this array of affinity associations is still necessary. But I believe that the need for specialty bars is strong. Today, eighteen states have no Black state supreme court justices, and, in nineteen there are no state supreme court justices who publicly identify as a person of color.

If we reflect on the criminal prosecutions of President Donald J. Trump and of Hunter Biden, the son of former President Joe Biden, those cases raise the question of how Americans are maintaining and upholding our democratic principle that all are accountable under the rule of law. We are greatly concerned about the massacres of our children at our schools, which raise questions about the interpretation of the Second Amendment of our Constitution and its viability in a world inundated with automatic weapons. Access to the voting booth has become more restricted in some states, and people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals are also underrepresented in many.

The mission of specialty bars today remains the same as always: to overcome barriers and to promote equality in the judicial system so no one, regardless of race, gender, or identity, faces discrimination under the law. Specialty bars are creating great leaders who have reached beyond their associations to make an impact on the legal profession at large, and they have a voice that needs to be heard in the major legal and constitutional questions that the people of this country must answer.

The Sam Cary Bar Association in Colorado began this movement of diverse leaders and associations, and it continues to lead the way on the path to creating a more perfect union.

This article traces the history and legacy of the Sam Cary Bar Association, Colorado’s pioneering organization for Black attorneys. Written by Hon. Gary Jackson ’70, it highlights the association’s vital role in advancing racial justice, professional support, and community leadership since its founding.

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In Her Honor: Celebrating Mother's Day at Colorado Law

Anonymous — Wed, 15 May 2024 19:06:55 +0000

In Her Honor: Celebrating Mother's Day at Colorado Law Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 05/15/2024 - 13:06

In honor of Mother’s Day, we are celebrating members of our community who balance or balanced parenthood while pursuing a legal degree!

“Law school is not an endeavor to be taken lightly—ever. To rise to this challenge while raising children is nothing short of heroic in my view,” remarked Dean Lolita Buckner Inniss. “I am proud of our community members who have achieved so much, and I relate in a personal way having become a mother to twin boys during my time at UCLA Law.”

Read on to learn more about some of our amazing current students and alumni who raised children while in law school!

Kristina Konstantinovna Abdalla ’24

“The saying “the hardest things in life bring the greatest rewards” has rang true throughout my experience of having a baby in the middle of law school. It has truly been one of the more difficult experiences to balance the obligations that come with school, work, and this new life. However, after learning how to function on less sleep, I also gained invaluable skills of prioritization, efficient time management, and the “big-picture” perspective. The Colorado Law community has made this experience that much more manageable. I am so thankful for the thoughtfulness expressed by the administration and faculty and the village of Colorado Law friends that have doubled as aunties and free babysitters!”

Hannah Ahders ’25

“I found out I was pregnant 2 days before I got my LSAT score! Since then, I remind myself that I don't have to be just a mom or just a student. I can be both, and so much more! I love being a toddler mom and making friends with other student parents. Both school and parenting have provided great perspective that support each role symbiotically. I'm so grateful to Student Affairs, my professors, and classmates for supporting me and other student parents.”

Susanne Holloway ’17

“My first day of law school was also my son's first day of kindergarten. The ensuing three years as both a full-time single mother to two young children and law student were much harder than I had imagined they would be, but understanding professors, clinic partners, mentors, and classmates all helped make the completion of my degree possible. While I couldn't easily attend study groups, my kids would gamely discuss water law and Federal courts with me over dinner. I realized their comprehension of due process was sound when I found them carrying out a pretend criminal trial one day, presided over by my daughter, with a small stuffed horse providing legal representation (albeit using a property law case book!) for my defendant son. Sadly, the verdict was guilty... perhaps because of ineffective counsel?

I was so lucky to share the trials and triumphs of being a single mom in law school with three other amazing single mom/law student women – Shannon ‘16, Brooke ‘17, and Cassy ‘18 – and am grateful to still share their friendship today.”

Jessica Lowrey ’12

“I started law school with 3-year-old twins. I found the other student moms right away and we supported each other. It was a very different experience from the rest of my classmates. I found balance by always being home for dinner and bedtime and taking Saturdays off from studying. It was very hard but it was worth it. My boys were and are proud of me for following my passion.”

Submit your stories for "In His Honor"

Everyone raising amazing kids deserves to be celebrated, and we are already accepting submissions for our Father's Day article next month. Those who do not identify as a mother or father are enthusiastically invited to submit their stories whenever feels most comfortable using the following survey: https://cuboulder.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0VrmUWI4klAoHAy, or send us a message at law-communications@colorado.edu.

In honor of Mother’s Day, we are celebrating members of our community who balance or balanced parenthood while pursuing a legal degree!

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Lawyers in Love

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 19:35:13 +0000

Lawyers in Love Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 02/14/2024 - 12:35

Lawyers in Love

Love has been in the crisp mountain air of ɫ��ֱ��! It probably won't surprise you to read that the University of Colorado Law School has been the setting of more than a few love stories. So, in honor of Valentine’s Day, we invite you to join us as we spotlight just some of the remarkable alumni who found more than a world-class legal education at Colorado Law. They found true love!

Tonya Luna ’13 and Gavin Wolny ’13

“We met on the first day of orientation in August 2010. After two years of friendship, we started dating just before our 3L year. In 2014, we moved to Tonya’s hometown of Pueblo, CO, and got married. We now have two wonderful (if active) daughters. Gavin works at the Pueblo County Attorney’s Office, and Tonya serves as a magistrate. And after all these years, we're still great friends!”

Shelby Dolen ’20 and Bryson Sebold ’20

“We met on the 1L camping trip before classes started and have been inseparable ever since. Law school had its highs and lows, and we weathered them together—with everything culminating in the tumultuous 2020 that cut short our final year due to the pandemic. We graduated on Zoom, took the bar together in masks, and started our legal careers amidst uncertainty that nobody could have predicted. We've tackled every challenge together and came out of the chaos better and stronger. We were engaged in April of 2023 and are set to get married in the Italian Dolomites in September of 2024!”

Jay Trujillo ’20 and Griffin Hay ’20

“Griffin and Jay met on the last day of 1L orientation in 2017 when a group of queer students gravitated towards each other at the end-of-day mixer. They were both placed in Professor Hall’s section and spent the first few weeks of school sitting next to one another in nearly every class. Griffin tried to convince himself that Jay and he were just friends, but Jay - being the braver of the two - asked Griffin out on a Friday after class, suggesting they hike the Flatirons together.

Determined to miss the point of the invitation, Griffin suggested Jay join him for a pickup game of soccer with other friends. Jay bit his tongue, gave a heroic performance as goalkeeper, and again asked Griffin to hike the Flatirons. He accepted, once again convincing himself that Jay was just a friend going on a friendly hike as friends. Still, Griffin couldn’t deny his interest in Jay - an interest that had been nagging at him since the orientation mixer. And as they joined a house party later that evening, Griffin felt the need to pull a friend aside and tell her, “Don’t let me hit on Jay tonight.” A few hours later at the Sundown Saloon, that directive was in the garbage, and Jay could not be pried away from Griffin. They spent the rest of the weekend together. Jay moved into Griffin’s apartment on Marine Street a few short weeks later, even joining Griffin’s family for Christmas (and every Christmas since).

Through all three years of law school, the pandemic, the bar exam, and a brutal period of depression and unemployment, Jay and Griffin prioritized their love for one another, finding happiness together each day. Jay’s internships with the Office of the State Public Defender led to him accepting an offer to work for the Pueblo office as soon as he was licensed, and Griffin was lucky enough to follow him there. With Jay gently pushing him towards public defense, Griffin joined that same office a year later.

The boys now make their home in Pueblo, zealously advocating for the indigent, mentoring the incoming classes of young defenders, cooking Julia Childs’ recipes, singing Third Eye Blind, skiing, and traveling the world’s best little-known beaches. After 6 years together and three years after graduation, Jay and Griffin still spend every free day they can hiking Mount Sanitas, indulging at the best new spots on Pearl Street, and watching Dead and Company shows at Folsom Field. ɫ��ֱ�� - and especially Wolf Law - will always be home ❤️”

Taylor Smith ’19 and Mirko Kruse ’18

“We locked eyes the night before Taylor’s first law school final while studying in the basement. Taylor spilled coffee all over her laptop, and it went black. Mirko rushed to help. The rest is history! Getting married June 29, 2024!”

Robert L. Hernandez ’78 and Dolores "Doey" Martinez Hernandez ’78

“Bob and I met in the summer program. Becky Medina, Rebecca Koppes Conway, Maria Lopez, Maria R., Bernadette Maes, Bob, and I would get together for lunch frequently. Toward the end of the summer program, we decided we would set up Bob and Maria, so Bob was asked to pick up Maria and bring her to a party sponsored by Professor "Skip" Chase. Bob brought her to the party but the set up didn’t go any further.

When we returned to begin our first year of law school, Bob asked me to see a movie, "Casablanca." I just assumed all of our friends would be there. I asked Bob, "Where are the others?" Bob mumbled something about how they just couldn't make it. Bob and I continued to go to lunch with the same group, but we also spent a lot of time together. Eventually, we started holding hands in the classroom while we ferociously took notes. Bob was 28 and I was 22. I thought it was so embarrassing, but I was not going to give up holding hands with the man I loved. We got engaged in November, took classes with Fr. Tom Adrians, and got married in Pueblo on January 10, 1976, during Christmas break. Our classmates from the summer program were there, along with about 300 guests and relatives. Fr. Tom, Fr. Robert and Deacon Tom officiated, and a Mariachi played for the Mass. We had a meal, a dance and an "entriega." I told Bob I was only getting married once.

Today, we continue to hold hands whenever possible. We have 3 daughters, Dolores, Roberta, and Maria. I also have my Ethiopian son, Teklebrhan. His mother back in Ethiopia asked him to find an American mother, so I accepted. Bob and I celebrated our 48th wedding anniversary in California last January.”

Alex Finch ’15 and Leah Finch ’17

“Leah and I met during her 1L and my 3L year. I offered her some advice and class notes which she found utterly useless and largely illegible. Nonetheless, a combination of regular ThAC attendance and a birthday date at the Chinese restaurant across the street from the law school sealed the deal. Now we're married with a kid and another on the way. Whether attending Colorado Law was the proximate cause of it all? CU is absolutely liable.”

Rachel Clark ’76 and Cheryl Hutchison

“My wife [Cheryl] and I met when we were both students at CU in ɫ��ֱ��. I was in law school, and she was in the French department. We moved to Washington D.C. together, but our relationship did not last. Subsequently, we each married, and Cheryl moved to France, where she has lived most of her adult life. My marriage ended in divorce after 32 years. Cheryl's husband of nearly 20 years died at around the same time.

Two and a half years ago, I tracked Cheryl down on the internet and wrote her a long email in French. She replied (in French). I soon moved from Denver to Saint-Étienne, France to be with her. Both of us speak and write excellent French, and we share a love of France. In fact, we speak to each other almost exclusively in French. This September, we married in a civil marriage in Saint-Étienne. In October, we had a religious wedding in ɫ��ֱ��. We live nine to ten months of the year in Saint-Étienne, returning to Denver twice a year, where I still have a house.”

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New opportunities for alumni engagement taking place this spring

Anonymous — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 19:18:49 +0000

New opportunities for alumni engagement taking place this spring Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 01/22/2024 - 12:18

Emily Battaglia

As the year gets into full swing, our Law Alumni Board (LAB) Engagement Committee has several new events approaching to increase alumni engagement in Colorado and across the country. These efforts were built out of recognition that many alumni wished to expand their professional networks, especially within their practice area or geographic area. Tim Galluzzi '14, Head of the LAB Engagement Committee, shared more on the upcoming opportunities for alumni, as well as the Board’s goals for helping alumni stay connected.

“We've started social media groups for Colorado Law Alumni in Colorado Springs, Durango, Northern Colorado, Seattle, Phoenix, and San Francisco,” Galluzzi said. “Those groups are in their infancy, but the goal is to have a local Colorado Law alum act as an administrator of each group, receiving institutional support from the school in terms of events or marketing of opportunities. Alums in those areas should join the groups and look out for ways to get involved.”

Additionally, the LAB is organizing "Practice Area Happy Hours," where alumni who specialize in a particular area can gather for snacks, drinks, and conversation. Those events will also be open to Colorado Law students who may be interested in a particular practice area and want to meet lawyers in that field. The first of these Practice Area Happy Hours, focused on Civil Litigation, will be held on January 25 at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard, LLC, in Denver.

RSVP to the Civil Litigation Happy Hour.

“I hope alumni gain a sense of community from partaking in these events or joining the Facebook groups,” Galluzzi shared. “It’s easy to become disconnected, especially in the post-COVID age of remote work. Making an effort to meet fellow alumni who live where we do, or who practice in the same areas as us, helps us overcome that and offers us a chance for connection based on shared life experience.”

Galluzzi emphasized the value alumni gain by staying connected to and engaged with their alma mater. Professionally, alumni communities can open doors to opportunities that otherwise may not be there. Attending events hosted by the law school helps alumni become better lawyers and legal thinkers. Giving back to the law school via time or resources supports the students that will one day join the Colorado bar, improving the legal community in our state.

“On a more personal level, a defining feature of our lives is our relationships with other people,” Galluzzi said. “Staying in touch with former classmates, friends, and colleagues helps us feel connected to others. Social connection is good for our physical health and longevity, and our alumni community provides an opportunity for that.”

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Vanessa Cortez-Johnson ’20

Anonymous — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 18:42:24 +0000

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Vanessa Cortez-Johnson ’20 Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 11/28/2023 - 11:42

Emily Battaglia

Vanessa Cortez-Johnson was not a traditional law student. She pursued her degree while working part time, commuting from a neighboring city. When she began her coursework in fall 2017, she felt she didn’t fit in with her peers at Colorado Law.

However, this feeling quickly changed as Cortez-Johnson became involved in LLSA, the Latinx Law Students Association here at Colorado Law.

It was through this student organization that she established close relationships, connected with other affinity groups, and helped advocate for changes that would provide a sense of community for all Latinx and Hispanic students at Colorado Law.

As a student, Cortez made her personal and professional relationships a priority, despite the many other demands law school asked of her.

“If there is not a space for you, work to make that space, because then it is going to benefit the people like you who come after,” Cortez-Johnson said. “Being genuine and building connections is one of the best things you can do that law school doesn’t necessarily teach you how to do --it will benefit you in the long run. “

These efforts in advocacy, personal connection, and changemaking are not all that far from the work Cortez does now as a civil rights attorney for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

“The work I do now, where I am advocating for change and making sure people have equal access and opportunity in various spaces, really relates to what we were doing as students and what we wanted to experience as students at the law school,” Cortez-Johnson explained.

Most of Cortez-Johnson’s current work is complaint driven. Her office works to enforce federal nondiscrimination laws, with complaints primarily being filed against schools, districts, colleges, and universities. Cortez-Johnson’s job is to investigate and determine whether there has been a violation of the civil rights laws enforced by the department—whether individual or systemic-- and come up with remedies.

Education law was not on Cortez-Johnson’s radar when she began pursuing her JD. It was through various opportunities at Colorado Law, including her internship with the CU Office of the University Counsel, that led her to this work she now is so proud to do. In her current role, connection remains at the forefront.

“My driving force is serving other people, and especially serving people who oftentimes have the least amount of access to our systems and have historically been marginalized or oppressed,” Cortez-Johnson shared. “A large part of my work and what I pride myself in is making the law understandable, because it is there for the people. However, I couldn’t go read and fully understand the law prior to having a significant amount of training in law school --they’re [laws] not really written in a way, in my opinion, that is accessible. So, creating access for people is really what I like to do, and this work gives me that opportunity.”

Cortez-Johnson aims to continue serving as a bridge for others to have support as they access the legal system. Her hope is that law students recognize the many paths on which their legal degree can take them, and above all, that they remain authentic to who they are in whatever career they pursue.

As a student, Vanessa Cortez-Johnson '20 made her personal and professional relationships a priority, despite the many other demands law school asked of her.

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Honorees Announced for 43rd Annual Colorado Law Alumni Awards Banquet

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 18:00:16 +0000

Honorees Announced for 43rd Annual Colorado Law Alumni Awards Banquet Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 10/19/2023 - 12:00

All over the world, graduates of Colorado Law are enriching their communities and exemplifying the values of this institution. The annual Alumni Awards Banquet, our school’s signature alumni event, celebrates extraordinary individuals for their contributions to the legal profession, service to their communities, and dedication to the law school.

This year, the Law Alumni Board and Dean Lolita Buckner Inniss are thrilled to celebrate six distinguished graduates. The 2024 alumni award honorees are: Zach C. Miller ’80, Kenneth Kupfner ’98, Kimberly M. Pryor ’10, and Lucy Stark ’98, and the Dean’s Choice honorees are Ashley K. Boothby ’13 (posthumously) and Patricia M. Corrales ’89.

These six incredible alumni will be recognized at the 43rd annual Colorado Law Alumni Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

The Law Alumni Board nominations committee accepts nominations for awards year-round with a deadline of July 30 each year. The board votes on award recipients in the fall. Read more about this year’s extraordinary awardees below.

Zach C. Miller ’80 – William Lee Knous Award

Zach Miller has practiced environmental, water, and natural resources law since 1980. He has broad experience before numerous state and federal agencies in disputes over, and permitting for, oil and gas operations, public land uses, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance, water rights, water quality, air quality, hazardous substances, wetlands, pesticides, mining, mineral processing, ski areas, power projects, and related issues. He has litigated complex cases in state and federal courts relating to these and other natural resources matters.

Building on his government experience, Miller has dealt with various resource-related matters on Indian lands and with several tribal entities. He has handled numerous judicial and administrative enforcement and civil penalty actions concerning these areas. Miller’s practice also includes title review and complex transactional work for water rights, mineral interests, and other real property, with an emphasis on brownfield projects and environmental audits and related transactions for mineral properties and processing facilities. He has represented clients in several of the largest water rights acquisitions and change cases in Colorado history. He has also represented developers and lenders in connection with permitting and other regulatory matters for major electric generation and solar and wind energy projects.

Miller has served as an expert witness in state and federal courts on wetlands regulation and Colorado water rights matters. He has also acted as special counsel to the cities of ɫ��ֱ��, Loveland, Aurora, and Greeley, as well as other governmental entities in various water and environmental matters. He is a former member and chair of the Environmental Advisory Board for the City of ɫ��ֱ��. Miller is currently a member at the Getches-Wilkinson Center, for which he serves as the out-going chair. Prior to joining Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP in 1981, Miller served as special counsel to the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs and as an attorney in the Honors Program of the Solicitor, U.S. Department of the Interior, in Washington, D.C. He has been listed in the Guide to the World’s leading Environmental Lawyers and Who’s Who Legal: Environment. He is listed in Tier 1 and named a “Leader in Their Field” in Chambers USA for Natural Resources and Environment and in The Best Lawyers in America® in the fields of Water Law, Environmental Law, and Environmental Litigation. He was also named in the 5280 as a Top Lawyer in the area of Water Law. The Best Lawyers in America® named him Lawyer of the Year in Colorado in 2013, 2017, and 2019 for Environmental Law and in 2018 for Litigation – Environmental.

Miller also has an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating TM from Martindale-AVVO®. In 2011, he was inducted as a fellow of the American College of Environmental Lawyers.

Kenneth Kupfner ’98 – Distinguished Achievement – Alumni in Public Service

Kenneth Kupfner obtained his undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Physics from Cornell College in 1993. While attending the University of Colorado School of Law, he volunteered and interned in the District Attorney’s Office of the 20th Judicial District. Kupfner started his career with the DA’s Office after receiving his law degree in 1998. In 2005 he was promoted to Chief Deputy and has supervised County Court, District Court, and the Sex Crimes Unit as a Chief Trial Attorney. Trial experience includes a significant variety of cases, most notable being several high-profile homicides, sexual assaults, and complex drug trafficking prosecutions. In 2017 he was promoted to Assistant District Attorney. As the Assistant he oversees the ɫ��ֱ�� County Critical Incident Team, supervises the Chief Trial and Deputy District Attorneys, and runs the day-to-day operations of the office including acting as the liaison to ɫ��ֱ�� County law enforcement agencies.

Kupfner teaches the Prosecution Externship Seminar at the University of Colorado School of Law and coaches a Colorado Law Criminal National Mock Trial team. For Colorado District Attorneys and law enforcement agencies, he has taught Introduction to Prosecution, Felony Prosecution, BWC, Officer Involved Shooting, Major Case, Wiretaps and COCCA, 4th and 5th Amendment and Sexual Assault and in 2020 was awarded the Faculty of the Year by CDAC. Kupfner has also taught prosecutors nationally as faculty for the National District Attorney’s Association.

Kimberly M. Pryor ’10, Distinguished Achievement – Corporate Counsel

Kim Pryor serves as General Counsel at JBS Foods USA, a position she has held since 2020. Pryor joined the legal team at JBS Foods in 2013 as corporate counsel and quickly progressed through leadership positions in the company's legal and corporate strategy departments. JBS Foods is the wholly owned subsidiary of JBS S.A., the world’s largest food company. As JBS Foods’ General Counsel, Pryor is responsible for the North American legal function and serves on the company’s Executive Committee as well as its Business Security Committee, Safety Committee, Disclosure Committee, and Ethics Committee.

During her tenure with JBS Foods, Pryor was instrumental to the company’s growth strategy by leading numerous acquisitions that helped increase its revenue by 55% since 2013 to $54B in 2022. In her role, she ensures compliance with all state and federal regulations governing the production and processing of food, provides legal guidance on the management of a portfolio of brands and distribution to customers in more than 100 countries, works on a wide variety of employment issues for a significant workforce of more than 75,000 employees in the U.S. alone, and manages all real estate, environmental, corporate governance, litigation, and transactional matters.

Pryor partners with the business to help drive the mission and success of the company and has an extensive track record as a business leader who excels in advising boards of directors and executive leadership through complex legal matters. As General Counsel, she defended and was successful in achieving favorable results for the company in numerous multi-billion dollar proceedings. Pryor has had to manage a large portfolio of high-stakes, high-profile legal matters that have required her to interface with political representatives on both a state and federal level and to work closely with the corporate affairs, government relations, and ethics and compliance teams to execute company strategy and reputation management.

Prior to joining JBS Foods, Pryor worked in private practice at Berg Hill Greenleaf and Ruscitti as a litigator, focusing on complex commercial litigation. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in classics and political science from St. Michael’s College, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Colorado School of Law.

Lucy Stark ’98 – Distinguished Achievement – Private Practice

Lucy Stark focuses her practice on securities and capital markets, advising clients in a wide range of industries on debt and capital market deals, mergers, and acquisitions, as well as public and private securities offerings. She also counsels boards and board committees on corporate governance, disclosures, SEC reporting, and other compliance issues.

A Colorado native, Stark began her legal career in the Denver office of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher where she practiced for almost nine years. She joined the Holland & Hart Denver office in 2007 and became a partner in the Corporate group in 2011. Stark has served in key firm leadership roles, including Practice Group Leader of the Corporate group; and since 2020 as the firm’s Managing Partner. She also founded and served as the first leader of Holland & Hart’s Women’s Forum Steering Committee.

In 2023, Stark was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. She has been recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers in Corporate since 2009 and in Natural Resources & Energy since 2019. In 2023, she was named The Best Lawyers in America® Lawyer of the Year in Denver for Corporate Compliance Law and Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law. Her expertise has also garnered recognition by Colorado Super Lawyers®, 5280 Magazine’s Top Lawyers, IFLR100 United States, and the Denver Business Journal’s list of “Top Women in Energy.”

Ashley K. Boothby ’13 – Dean Edward C. King Making a Difference Award (Dean’s Choice)

In March of this year, our community lost a remarkable soul, Ashley Boothby, who left us after a valiant battle with mental illness. Dean Inniss now honors her enduring legacy—one marked by profound intelligence, a tireless pursuit of justice, and an unshakable commitment to her community—with the Dean’s Choice, Dean Edward C. King Making a Difference Award, which she no doubt earned during her short but impactful career.

Boothby graduated Summa Cum Laude with dual majors in Politics & International Relations and American Studies from Scripps College in 2007. Her academic excellence was celebrated with numerous awards. She then graduated first in her class from Colorado Law in 2013 as a Dean’s Scholar and a member of the Order of the Coif. After graduation, she accepted the challenge of clerking for the Colorado Supreme Court and U.S. District Courts. Working alongside Chief Justice Nancy Rice, Ashley drafted opinions and bench memoranda and assisted in preparing oral arguments. Soon after, she began clerking for Judge Christine Arguello, where she managed a docket of 250+ civil and criminal cases. During this time, she began dedicating her time to teaching as an Adjunct Professor of Federal Litigation at the University of Colorado and as a Speech and Debate Coach at Kent Denver School.

Boothby's legal career was a testament to her passion for justice. As an Associate Attorney at Kelman Buscher Firm, she fiercely represented plaintiffs and classes in cases related to the Fair Labor Standards Act, tirelessly advocating for the rights of workers before federal and state courts. Her dedication continued as she served as Senior Policy Advisor for the Colorado Division of Labor Standards & Statistics, where she investigated systemic labor law violations and championed the cause of paid sick leave.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Boothby was known for her kindness, generosity, and thoughtfulness. She brightened the lives of those she loved with impromptu gifts and dedicated herself to causes close to her heart, including donating children's books to prisons and sponsoring a young Vietnamese girl, Ho Thi Be Ni. Her witty sense of humor, love for nature, and passion for reading were just a few facets of her radiant personality.

In her memory, her family asks us all to confront the stigma surrounding mental health, depression, and suicide. Ashley Boothby's spirit and legacy will endure as a beacon of hope, reminding us of the importance of seeking truth, fostering justice, and embracing compassion.

Patricia M. Corrales ’89, Sonny Flowers Award (Dean’s Choice)

Patricia M. Corrales is an attorney at law, practicing primarily in the fields of criminal and immigration defense with a focus on complex citizenship issues that have a criminal component. She is a leading expert on issues pertaining to U.S. citizenship - both acquisition and derivation of U.S. citizenship as well as denaturalization or the revocation of citizenship for those who have procured their U.S. citizenship illegally or by misrepresentation.

Prior to establishing her current private practice, Corrales was an attorney for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) (1995-2012). She has an outstanding reputation that has earned her the respect of judges, prosecutors, and her colleagues throughout Southern California. Corrales’ dedication to excellence, combined with her extensive trial experience and high ethical standards, has merited exceptional results for her clients since her departure from ICE.

Corrales began her career as a Deputy District Attorney in Denver, Colorado. She then went on to join the former U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, and continued as a prosecutor with the creation of ICE. As a Senior Attorney, she was on the team that handled complex National Security cases. As a Senior Attorney with ICE, she worked closely with special agents from ICE, the FBI, and other law enforcement agencies, as well as various U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide. She is recognized for providing quality legal analysis on criminal denaturalization cases.

Corrales’ experience includes significant trial and motion practice, settlement negotiations, and FOIA litigation. She has received training in Privacy laws, and was the point of contact in the Los Angeles Chief Counsel’s Office on issues pertaining to the Privacy Act. Corrales has had favorable decisions published in several cases — including, De Lara Bellajaro v. Schiltgen, INS, 378 F.3d 1042 (9th Cir. 2004); U.S. v. Dang, 488 F.3d 1135 (9th Cir. 2007); U.S. v. Aiman Nasser Mohalla, 545 F.Supp.2d 1035 (C.D. Cal. 2008); U.S. v. Wang, 404 F.Supp.2d 1155) (N.D. Cal. 2005).

Corrales was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation and Recognition from the FBI for successful prosecution in the case of U.S. v. Mousavi. She received a Certification of Appreciation from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department for successful prosecution in a cybercrime case. The Office of the Principal Legal Advisor presented Corrales with a Special Achievement Award for contributions made to ICE in successfully achieving significant mission goals, and a Special Achievement Award for her successful litigation in the case of U.S. v. Ahmadazi.

Since entering private practice, Corrales has testified as an expert in immigration law in several federal and state cases including, Duncan Roy et. Al v. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; People v. Abel Bexeril; C.F.C. v. Miami-Dade County; Samuel v. Cheeran, NY, index no: 002638/2017. Additionally, she produces and hosts a legal program called “Justice Matters” which primarily deals with immigration issues.

Corrales is a frequent speaker and CLE presenter, including a presentation at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) national conference. She was a 2017 contributor to an AILA podcast on naturalization. Corrales is also a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA) and a CLE presenter on naturalization issues.

Most recently, she consulted on an immigration documentary airing on Netflix entitled “Living Undocumented.” Corrales was the immigration attorney featured on the documentary, providing legal commentary on the eight courageous families who shared their stories.

This year, the Law Alumni Board and Dean Lolita Buckner Inniss are thrilled to celebrate six distinguished graduates. The 2024 alumni award honorees are: Zach C. Miller ’80, Kenneth Kupfner ’98, Kimberly M. Pryor ’10, and Lucy Stark ’98 and the Dean’s Choice honorees are Ashley K. Boothby ’13 (posthumously) and Patricia M. Corrales ’89.

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Injy Johnstone LLM ‘20

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 17:14:08 +0000

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Injy Johnstone LLM ‘20 Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 08/16/2023 - 11:14

Emily Battaglia

As the fall semester approaches, Colorado Law is proud to highlight some of our incredible Master of Laws (LLM) alumni. The LLM program fully immerses students in Colorado Law and offers inclusive access to programming, courses/modules, and the greater ɫ��ֱ�� campus. LLM students have unique and diverse backgrounds and experiences that enrich our community of scholars and students, while advancing Colorado Law’s intellectual leadership across the globe.

In this inaugural edition, we learn more about Injy Johnstone ‘20. Prior to pursuing her LLM degree, Johnstone worked for the New Zealand Government on their Net Zero legislation. She was inspired to pursue an LLM because of the opportunity it provided to learn from and exchange with a much broader legal community than in her home country. Since her time at Colorado Law, Johnstone has taken the insights she learned to become a better advocate for the global response to climate change.

In this interview, we learn more about Johnstone’s time here in ɫ��ֱ�� and where her career has taken her since graduation.

Hi Injy – thank you so much for chatting. To kick us off, I would love to know, what was your favorite part of attending Colorado Law?

IJ: The Colorado Law community! From the professors to fellow students, you’re made to feel right at home and in a position where you can explore all manner of endeavours and opportunities.

Where are you living and working currently? How has your LLM degree helped you in your profession so far?

IJ: I’m currently living in London and work for the University of Oxford as a Research Associate in Net-Zero Aligned Offsetting while finishing up my PhD in New Zealand.

My LLM has helped me realize the international interconnections intrinsic within environmental law, particularly climate change law and the rich opportunities there are for cross-pollination between jurisdictions. More specifically, in my current role, it has helped immensely with navigating the emerging legal landscape associated with carbon removal, given that the U.S. is at the forefront of it.

That sounds fascinating! What a great way to use your degree. What advice would you give incoming LLM students?

IJ: Throw yourself into any and all opportunities that come your way during your LLM (and there will be many). As LLMs, we have the same opportunities to get involved in the full programming at the law school which can enrich your life professionally, and personally too.

Thank you so much for answering my questions, Injy. My final question is much less career related --what are your hobbies outside of work?

IJ: Exploring the beautiful world around us, to learn how to better protect it. That and seeking out the best coffee spots or music gigs!

As the fall semester approaches, Colorado Law is proud to highlight some of our incredible Master of Laws (LLM) alumni. In this inaugural edition, we learn more about Injy Johnstone ‘20.

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Celebrating the Best of Colorado Law at the 42nd Annual Alumni Awards Banquet

Anonymous — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 13:07:52 +0000

Celebrating the Best of Colorado Law at the 42nd Annual Alumni Awards Banquet Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 04/05/2023 - 07:07

The Law Alumni Board held its highly anticipated 42nd annual Alumni Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at the elegant Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. The event was a momentous occasion that celebrated the remarkable achievements and contributions of six distinguished alumni who have made a significant impact in the legal profession and their communities.

The Board recognized Bethiah (Beth) Crane ’79 with the William Lee Knous Award, Betty Nordwind ’71 with the Distinguished Achievement in Public Service Award, Jennifer Evans ’98 with the Distinguished Achievement in Private Practice Award, Congressman Joseph Neguse ’09 with the Distinguished Achievement – Special Recognition Award, and Donald S. Quick ’86 with the Distinguished Achievement Judiciary Award.

Dean Lolita Buckner Inniss presented an award as well, naming Bill Callison ’82 as the inaugural recipient of the Brooke Wunnicke Outstanding Mentor Award.

Watch the full event and view the photo gallery.

The evening was filled with excitement and camaraderie as alumni, faculty, staff, students, and esteemed guests gathered to honor the awardees and celebrate their achievements. The event kicked off with a cocktail reception and special expo, highlighting various departments, organizations, and programs at the law school including the legal clinics, the Korey Wise Innocence Project, our Council for Racial Justice and Equity, the Career Development Office, the American Indian Law Program, and the Byron White Center for the Study of American Constitutional Law. As attendees learned about what’s happening today at the law school, they mingled and reconnected with old friends and colleagues, sharing fond memories, and catching up on recent developments in their careers.

Then attendees made their way to the ballroom for dinner and the awards program, which was hosted by our illustrious dean as well as current Law Alumni Board Chair Michael Carrigan ’94 and Law Alumni Banquet Chair, Caitlin McHugh ’12.

“I am so happy to celebrate this community and this wonderful school that has done so much for all of us,” reflected Carrigan as he welcomed the crowd. “Tonight we are celebrating six amazing award recipients who exemplify the very best of CU Law!”

Attendees were proud to also recognize members of the federal and Colorado judiciary, elected officials, and other esteemed members of the Colorado legal community with enthusiastic applause.

One by one, the awardees were called to the stage to receive their well-deserved recognition. The atmosphere was filled with pride and admiration as each honoree's achievements were highlighted, and their accomplishments were applauded by the audience.

The first award of the evening, the inaugural Brooke Wunnicke Outstanding Mentor Award, was presented to Bill Callison ’82 by law school Dean Lolita Buckner Inniss. "I am grateful to present the Dean's Choice Award which goes to Bill Callison for his devotion to legal practice, menotirng, and commitment to help other lawyers," Inniss said to the cheering crowd.

[video:https://youtu.be/YGE4IOWQKS4]

Michael Carrigan then returned to the stage to present the Law Alumni Board’s Distinguished Achievement Awards. Jennifer Evans ’98 received the Board’s Distinguished Achievement for Private Practice Award.

[video:https://youtu.be/bN84zM8p8SQ]

Congressman Joseph Neguse ’09 was presented the Board’s Distinguished Achievement – Special Recognition Award.

[video:https://youtu.be/vRjnV2tEo9Q]

Betty Nordwind ’71 was presented with the Distinguished Achievement for Public Service Award.

[video:https://youtu.be/CoG4qfio4ac]

The Honorable Donald S. Quick ’86 received the Board’s Distinguished Achievement in the Judiciary Award.

[video:https://youtu.be/bmdBqPjW7Ww]

Taking a brief pause from the presentation of awards, attendees were treated to a fireside chat with two of the current Leaders in Law and Community (LILAC) Fellows, Larrisa Alire ’23 and Jemil Kassahun ’24. Caitlin McHugh spoke to Larissa and Jemil about their experience at the law school, their goals for after graduation, and the impact of the LILAC Fellowship program. Their participation was one of the major highlights of the evening, according to many who attended.

The final award of the evening—the William Lee Knous Award— was presented by Dean Inniss to Bethiah (Beth) Crane ’79.

[video:https://youtu.be/JGizHOswCaE]

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Honorees Announced for 42nd Annual Colorado Law Alumni Awards Banquet

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 21:18:52 +0000

Honorees Announced for 42nd Annual Colorado Law Alumni Awards Banquet Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 12/12/2022 - 14:18

All over the world, graduates of Colorado Law are enriching their communities and exemplifying the values of this institution. At the Alumni Awards Banquet, the school’s signature alumni event, the Law Alumni Board has the opportunity to award recognition to extraordinary individuals for their contributions to the legal profession, service to their communities, and dedication to the law school.

This year, the Law Alumni Board and Dean Inniss are thrilled to celebrate six distinguished graduates at the 42^nd annual Alumni Awards Banquet. The honorees for the 2023 Alumni Awards are: Beth Crane ’79, Jennifer Evans ’98, Congressman Joseph Neguse ’09, Betty Nordwind ’71, the Honorable Judge Donald Quick ’86, and Bill Callison ’82.

“Colorado Law alumni so often lead the pack when it comes to service to the community and demonstrating excellence in our profession,” said Law Alumni Board Chair Michael Carrigan '94. “That’s what makes selecting a small number of alumni to honor so challenging. We are thrilled to recognize these six individuals as truly outstanding representatives of Colorado Law.”

The six will be recognized at the 42^nd annual Colorado Law Alumni Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

Beth Crane ’79 – William Lee Knous Award

Beth Crane moved from New York City to Colorado in 1975. Displaying the tenacity that has been the hallmark of her legal career, Crane enrolled as an “older student” and single parent at CU Law School in 1976. After graduating in 1979, she clerked for Justice James K. Groves at the Colorado Supreme Court, and then learned trial skills in the Denver District Attorney’s Office. There she met Alex Tejada, an attorney in the Public Defender’s Office. Soon after, she and Tejada moved to Durango and became Western Slopers, appreciating Colorado rural life with their blended family.

In 1982, Crane entered private practice. In 1992, she and Tejada partnered to create the firm Crane & Tejada, P.C., emphasizing workers compensation, personal injury, and criminal defense. After Tejada’s death in 2012, their son Beale Tejada, CU Law class of 2012, left the Colorado Springs Public Defender’s office to join the firm. Crane is privileged to have spent her 43 years as a lawyer working with family members to represent injured workers and persons in Southwest Colorado.

Crane has had a significant impact on the Colorado legal community. She has enjoyed working with colleagues in local and state bar association endeavors and on multiple Judicial Performance Commissions. She has been especially active in encouraging attorney pro bono participation and working with local and state Legal Aid boards. Currently, she serves on the Colorado Access to Justice Commission. She has served on the Colorado Law Alumni Board and has hosted many receptions for the law school deans as they visited Southwest Colorado. She cherishes the years spent working as an appointee on the Colorado Supreme Court Grievance Committee, Attorney Regulation Committee, Advisory Committee for Attorney Regulation, the federal District Court Magistrate Judge Selection Panel, the U.S. District Court Committee on Conduct, and various other committees. She has also served on numerous local boards and non-profits in Durango.

Crane is currently “gliding” towards exploring retirement and enjoying even more time with her treasured four sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and sisters.

Jennifer Evans ’98 – Distinguished Achievement – Private Practice

Jennifer Evans is a HealthCare Shareholder at Polsinelli, an AM Law 100 firm, where she is also the Managing Partner for the Denver office. In her legal practice, she represents health care providers focused on fraud and abuse, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement issues, payor disputes, including defending state and federal false claims act allegations, and regulatory compliance.

In addition to legal practice in law firms and in house at Fortune 500 health care companies, Evans brings legislative and operational experience to health care matters. She previously served as Deputy Director of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (Medicaid) and on Medicaid workgroups for the National Governors' Association Center for Best Practices. Evans also has experience representing nonprofit and for profit health care organizations before Congress and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Prior to legal practice, she worked on Capitol Hill as a Legislative Director in the U.S. Senate and as a Legislative Assistant for health care in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. In Colorado, Evans was most recently a member of the Transition Subcommittee on Health and Human Services for Colorado Governor Jared Polis. Her government and private sector experience contributes to additional options for clients seeking resolution of disputes or expanded opportunities.

Evans currently serves as a Director on the boards of the American Health Law Association, Denver Public Schools Foundation, and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. A Colorado-native, she is thrilled to have brought her health care career home in the Denver office of Polsinelli.

Congressman Joseph Neguse ’09 – Distinguished Achievement – Special Recognition

Congressman Joe Neguse represents Colorado’s 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected to his first term in November 2018, becoming the first African-American member of Congress in Colorado history. He serves as a member of the House Judiciary Committee and Natural Resources Committee, and was elected by his colleagues to serve as a member of House Democratic Leadership in the 118th Congress, as Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC). The Center for Effective Lawmaking has previously ranked Congressman Neguse among the top 10 most effective lawmakers in Congress, including as the most effective for legislation on public lands.

Before his career in Congress, Rep. Neguse practiced law at Holland & Hart LLP, and then went on to serve in the Governor of Colorado's Cabinet as the Executive Director of Colorado's consumer protection agency. As one of the youngest people to serve as a state-Cabinet secretary, he achieved key victories, including the recovery of millions of dollars for consumers, investigations culminating in significant financial-fraud cases, and the championing of legislation to combat financial fraud against seniors.

Previously Rep. Neguse was elected to represent Colorado’s 2nd District on the University of Colorado Board of Regents, where he served a six-year term fighting to make higher education more affordable and accessible. He received his B.S. in Political Science and Economics from the University of Colorado-ɫ��ֱ��, where he graduated summa cum laude, and received his J.D. from the University of Colorado School of Law in 2009.

Betty Nordwind ’71 – Distinguished Achievement – Public Service

Betty Nordwind has devoted her legal career to social justice issues. She has been on the forefront of efforts championing the rights of the poor, disabled persons and women.

Graduating from the University of Colorado Law School in 1971, Nordwind immediately signed up for a service corps program at Metro Denver Legal Aid, handling everyday problems of indigent residents of Colorado. In the vanguard of the disability rights movement, she founded and lead Denver Legal Aid’s first mental health law unit providing legal representation to civilly committed indigent individuals. She also helped initiate a path-breaking lawsuit on behalf of poor, chronically mentally ill persons.

Hired to manage the Harriett Buhai Center of Family Law in 1987 as its Executive Director, Nordwind has overseen its growth from a fledging office of 4 persons and less than 35 volunteers to a strong community institution of over 20 staff members and 300 volunteers providing in excess of 28,000 hours of legal service to more than 1,000 very low-income persons in Los Angeles a year. Under Nordwind’s tutelage, the Center has trained hundreds of lawyers and law students, filed several significant lawsuits, engaged in other advocacy directed to eliminating barriers to the courts and undertaken legislative efforts to change child support laws and practices in California and Los Angeles. Under her direction, the Center opened doors to the promise of family law and donated volunteer assistance to low-income community college students and incarcerated mothers.

In 2014, Nordwind was honored by the State Bar of California with the prestigious Loren Miller Legal Services Award, a lifetime achievement award recognizing her long-term commitment to providing legal services to very low-income individuals and families. Her crusade for the rights of the poor and disenfranchised precedes her accomplished legal career and began when she was just a teen.

Donald S. Quick ’86, Distinguished Achievement – Judiciary

The Honorable Donald S. Quick grew up in Wheat Ridge, Colorado and received his degrees in Economics and Law from the University of Colorado. He met his wife Kerrie at law school, and they have been married for 35 years. They have two grown sons—one is finishing his PhD and the other is a talented musician. That explains why he is still working.

Quick was appointed to the District Court bench in December 2014, and, in December 2020, was then appointed as the Chief Judge for the 17th Judicial District. Judge Quick has been in public service for over 30 years. He previously was the elected District Attorney for the 17th Judicial District, and he served as the Chief Deputy Attorney General and Deputy for Criminal Justice under Ken Salazar at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. While in private practice, Quick was with the Denver law firms, Beatty & Wozniak, and Burns, Wall, Smith and Mueller.

Judge Quick was previously selected to serve as President of the District Court Judges’ Association, the Colorado District Attorneys’ Council and the Adams County Bar Association. He also served on the Board of Governors for the Colorado Bar Association. Quick has been a trial advocacy instructor for both CU and DU Schools of Law, and for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, this included instructing NITA courses on the Navajo and Oneida Nations. He also served on Dean Weiser’s Advisory Committee for the CU School of Law.

Judge Quick served on the transition teams for both Governor Ritter and Governor Hickenlooper, and both Governors appointed him to the Colorado Criminal and Juvenile Justice Commission. Governor Owen appointed Quick to the Columbine Review Commission.

Throughout his career, Judge Quick has advocated for keeping kids in the classroom, so they stay out of the courtroom. He has served on the Board of Directors for numerous non-profit organizations, including those serving unhoused families and at-risk youth. He also served on the Foundation Boards for Mapleton and Westminster Public Schools. Judge Quick is proud to be a founder of Safe-2-Tell and the Adams County Youth Initiative.

Bill Callison ’82, Brooke Wunnicke Outstanding Mentor Award (Dean’s Choice)

Bill Callison works in close partnership with clients in the affordable housing industry to implement creative equity and debt financing on projects in Colorado and around the country. He provides strategic legal solutions for affordable housing transactions and has represented clients on hundreds of low-income housing tax credit projects from Alaska to Florida. He also has substantial experience navigating New Markets Tax Credits, federal energy credits, and historic rehabilitation tax credit deals.

Callison is a preeminent practitioner in LLC and partnership law and is an authority on laws governing fiduciary duties. He advises clients in forming and financing business entities; on corporate and partnership mergers and consulting on acquisitions; and dissolution and dissociation. He is also sought-after as a consulting or testifying expert witness in corporate, LLC, partnership, contract, professional malpractice, and related legal matters.

Prior to joining Holland & Hart, Callison spent 25 years at a large multinational law firm. He authors two major legal treatises, writes and speaks prolifically, and has served on law faculties at the University of Colorado Law School, The University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law, and the Tilburg Law School (Netherlands), among others.

This year, the Law Alumni Board and Dean Inniss are thrilled to celebrate six distinguished graduates at its 42nd annual Alumni Awards Banquet. The honorees for the 2023 Alumni Awards are: Beth Crane ’79, Jennifer Evans ’98, Congressman Joseph Neguse ’09, Betty Nordwind ’71, the Honorable Judge Donald Quick ’86, and Bill Callison ’82.

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Margaret Farrell '16 Named Attorney of the Year

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 20:25:08 +0000

Margaret Farrell '16 Named Attorney of the Year Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 11/10/2022 - 13:25

Earlier this fall, Margaret Farrell ‘16 was named “Attorney of the Year” by the Denver Trial Office—the largest office in the state.

Farrell has made it her mission to help indigent Coloradans and, in pursuit of that mission, went wherever she needed to go to make that happen. During law school, she served as a student attorney in the Criminal/Immigration Defense Clinic and completed an internship and externship with the Colorado State Public Defender, channeling her passion for aiding undocumented immigrants charged with crimes.

Learn more about Margaret Farrell in this edition of Promising Starts.

The Criminal/Immigration Defense Clinic offers law students the opportunity to appear in both criminal and immigration court in defense of non-citizen clients. In the criminal context, law students represent clients who have been charged with misdemeanors in ɫ��ֱ�� County, assisting them with bond hearings, motions hearing and trial. They also file affirmative applications for immigration relief, assisting recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), immigrant victims of crime and asylum seekers. Students in this Clinic learn the complex interaction between our nation’s criminal and immigration laws, learning substantive law and putting it into practice on behalf of a vulnerable population. This clinic also focuses on educating the public and researching various public policy issues involving immigration.

Earlier this fall, Margaret Farrell ‘16 was named “Attorney of the Year” by the Denver Trial Office—the largest office in the state.

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