MEET THE FINAL SIX OF YOUR 24-25 DBA BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Discover the accomplished professionals who have joined our board, bringing a wealth of experience and fresh perspectives to our bar.

The Honorable Adam J. Espinosa

State of Colorado Second Judicial District

When did you know you wanted to be a lawyer? I knew I wanted to be a lawyer at a young age. My interest was sparked by my 5th grade teacher, Mr. Foree, who really focused on teaching us about politics and government. My interest in being a lawyer grew from there, despite not knowing any lawyers or having any in my family. Fun fact, for a long time I believed you had to be 45 years old to be a lawyer. I am not sure how I got this impression, but I was so wrong.

What is a book that you feel everyone should read? There are so many. Two that come to mind for me are Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson and Doing Justice by Preet Bharara. Each are examples of the power of a law degree and how we can use it to help others and our community.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? n my leisure time, I enjoy spending time with my wife and four kids. We enjoy going for walks to the park, skiing, playing with our neighbors’ dog, Milo, and singing Disney songs as loud as possible. When I am not spending time with family, I enjoy running, watching college basketball (Go Jayhawks!), participating in professional organizations, and mentoring young people.

Stephanie Gaddy

United States Courts and ABA Delegate

When did you know you wanted to be a lawyer? I knew I wanted to go to law school when I took civil rights and liberties as an undergraduate. Learning about the bill of rights and the lawyers who dedicated their careers to advocating for others inspired me to follow in their footsteps.

What is a book that you feel everyone should read? “The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration” should be required reading for every American. It tells the story of the Great Migration through the lives of three Black Americans as they move from the Southern United States to Chicago, New York, and California, respectively. It is exquisitely researched and as informative as any textbook, but reads like an epic novel. I think about it all the time.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? In my free time, I like to read, binge-watch my favorite TV shows, be with family, friends, and my dog, and learn how to play Taylor Swift songs on my guitar.

Tyler Griffin

Dorsey & Whitney LLP

When did you know you wanted to be a lawyer? I knew I wanted to be a lawyer after I did AmeriCorps and saw that many of my students did not think that Black women could be lawyers. I was shocked to learn that some of my students truly didn’t think it was possible and at that point I felt an obligation to study at a good school and be the representation.

What is a book that you feel everyone should read? Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maitanence

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I enjoy going to Nuggets games, going on long walks with my husband and mini dachshund, HRH Prince Louie Andouille, and watching true crime documentaries.

David Miller

The Wilhite Law Firm

When did you know you wanted to be a lawyer?When I was wait-listed by the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies which told me that Latin and Ancient Attic Greek [my dual college majors] weren’t “modern spoken languages” and my Italian wasn’t good enough to satisfy the admission qualification; so while I was working at an Italian restaurant getting my daily dose of Italian to try to pass the SAIS entrance exam, the owner–a former lawyer turned restauranteur–convinced me over a bottle of after-hours Grappa to go to law school since “lawyers can work anywhere in the world,” (he lied).

What is a book that you feel everyone should read? “The Tragic Sense of Life” by Miguel de Unamuno y Jugo

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Snow shoeing, hiking, cooking, reading, and being with my spouse and friends.