Chairpersons 2017–2018: Shelly Dill and Noah Patterson
Staff Liaison: Carolyn Gravit, 303-824-5323

The Denver Access to Justice committee meets the first Tuesday at noon at the Denver Bar offices.  This committee works on monthly pro se clinics on Bankruptcy, Family, Collecting Child Support, Small Claims, Collections, Legal nights, Colorado Poverty Law Clinic, weekly lawline 9 program, promoting National Pro Bono celebration, coordinates the Denver Access to Justice Hearing, CLE trainings, a volunteer appreciation, updating the legal resource directory, Adult Self-Sufficiency Juvenile and Immigration legal clinics at College View Elementary.  This Committee also works closely with Metro Volunteer Lawyers, Colorado Legal Services, Denver Wrap Around Project, Court Mediation Services, Denver Pro Se Center and Specialty Bar Associations. Please contact the Public Legal Education Department if interested in participating in this committee.

Chairpersons 2017–2018: Miko Brown and Sara Sharp
Staff Liaison: Melissa Nicoletti, 303-824-5321

Plans and organizes this annual association fund-raising dinner/dance. The proceeds go towards the Metro Volunteer Lawyers Program, which provides legal services to indigent clients.

Chairperson 2017–2018: Dan Sweetser
Staff Liaison: Greg Martin, 303-824-5317

Chairpersons 2017–2018: Franz Hardy
Staff Liaison: Melissa Nicoletti, 303-824-5321

Chairpersons2017–2018: Todd Jansen and Richard Strauss
Staff Liaisons: Heather Folker 303-824-5350 and Kate Schuster, 303-824-5312

Coordinates the DBA Golf Tournament in the summer. The tournament includes a silent auction and is a fundraiser for Metro Volunteer Lawyers.

Chairpersons 2017–2018: Johnna Stuart
Staff Liaison: Carolyn Gravit, 303-824-5323

The Lawyers and Schools Committee meets the first Thursday of every month at noon at the CBA offices. The committee recruits law professionals into Denver Public Schools. Projects include: Denver Regional Mock Trial Tournament, National Constitution Day, in-class mock trial scripts for elementary, middle and high schools, “We the People” volunteer training, K-5 Law Day Contest and curriculum, DBA-DPS Guest Teaching Initiative, DBA-DPS Truancy Program Training, Debate Club, Reading Partners Tutoring, Book Drive for Reading Partners and speaker bureaus.

Chairperson 2017–2018: John Vaught
Staff Liaison: Melissa Nicoletti, 303-824-5321

Chairperson 2017–2018: Leonard Plank
Staff Liaisons: Melissa Nicoletti, 303-824-5321

This group of attorneys is for those members “65 or better.” The committee has four big events throughout the year. The biggest party of the year is the Senior Spring Banquet, which honors Denver lawyers who have been licensed for 50 years. The committee’s fall event, the “Seniors Roast,” honors an attorney or judge nominated by the most active senior members for his/her outstanding commitment to the legal community. December’s Holiday Party is the most casual of the events and includes connecting with familiar faces, spreading holiday cheer and enjoying tasty fare. July’s golf tournament is always a hit with the senior members and adds a little competition to the event calendar. New members are welcome.

Chairperson 2017–2018: James G. Benjamin
Staff Liaison: Heather Folker, 303-824-5350 

Responsible for nominating the winners of the annual Award of Merit; also coordinates other awards given by the association: DBA Volunteer Lawyer of the Year, DBA Young Lawyer of the Year, Judicial Excellence, and Teacher of the Year.

Submissions are accepted from November through January each year.  Nominations have closed for the 2018 awards. 

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