Meet Your 24-25 DBA Board of Trustees Officers
Introducing the Leaders Shaping the DBA's Future
Discover the accomplished professionals who have joined our board, bringing a wealth of experience and fresh perspectives to our bar.
ANNIE MARTÍNEZ, DBA President
Colorado Center on Law and Policy and Bridge Legal Solutions, LLC
When did you know you wanted to be a lawyer? Finals after first semester of law school is when I had “the moment.” I originally wanted to be a neurologist and do scientific research. After finishing my master’s in biomedical science I attended American University of the Caribbean for almost 2 years of medical school in St. Maarten (Dutch side). But after some family issues I left and decided on a whim to take the LSAT and apply to law school. I got in and really enjoyed the first semester and thought maybe I won’t hate this… and I didn’t!
What is a book that you feel everyone should read? “What is Antiracism? And Why It Means Anticapitalism” by Arun Kundnani. This book is does a deep dive and different contextualization of racism and a better way to dismantle it. Discussing the intersection of race, class and economic systems. It forces us to ask ourselves how and why racism and anti-racist work got separated from the fundamental questions of who has access and possession to what and why. The book helps with understanding the long, intertwined history of racism, imperialism and capitalism, and helps the fight we continue today for true equity.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I enjoy taking ballet classes and performing when able. I also enjoy watching video essays on youtube on nerdy topics with my spouse.
Nicoal Sperrazza, DBA Immediate Past President
The Law Office of Nicoal C. Sperrazza
When did you know you wanted to be a lawyer? As a first-generation Korean American and seeing the socioeconomic hardships that my immigrant mother faced, I knew from an early age that I wanted to go into a field that would give me the tools and knowledge to help those in need.
What is a book that you feel everyone should read? “The Forgotten Garden” by Kate Morton. It was a recommendation by my paralegal and it reinvigorated my interest in leisure reading.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Prioritizing my family, from taking my mom on mother-daughter date nights to staying active with my soon-to-be six year old (but also cherishing the snuggles while they last!). I also enjoy playing tennis, cooking, and baking – my son’s Pokémon birthday cake is on deck!
Danaé Kinnett Woody, DBA President Elect
Kinnett & Cordes
When did you know you wanted to be a lawyer? Halfway through my second year of law school.
What is a book that you feel everyone should read? Sophie’s World.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Traveling and following my eight-year-old son through the adventure of life.
Andrew Rubin, Treasurer
Nixon Peabody, LLP
When did you know you wanted to be a lawyer? In college, I interned for the Anti-Defamation League and was inspired by the ADL’s work fighting bias through hate crime legislation.
What is a book that you feel everyone should read? Any book that you find entertaining. My favorite author is Michael Robotham. I love his series of psychological thrillers centered around a clinical psychologist, Joseph O’Loughlin. Unfortunately, the book I spend the most time reading is the Internal Revenue Code.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I also love to cook on my grill.
Mitch Reid, 1st Vice PResident
Fox Rothschild
When did you know you wanted to be a lawyer? When I was in high school, we had a “day on the job,” where we spent a day shadowing someone during the workday. I followed an attorney for the day, where I got to briefly work in his office and learn about his practice. I was also lucky enough to watch voir dire in a trial one of his colleagues was handling in Golden. I instantly became interested in oral advocacy and the trial process after the attorneys described what I had watched that day. Watching the movie “My Cousin Vinnie” also helped shape my interest.
What is a book that you feel everyone should read? Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t by Simon Sinek. After spending the first part of my career in the military, I found this book to be an interesting analysis of leadership in the business world tied to various philosophies, including leadership tenets from the military. The author describes certain effective leaders as “servant leaders” because they put the needs of their people first.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I enjoy skiing and traveling abroad. When I am not doing either of those two personal activities, I really enjoy watching my two sons play sports – hockey and baseball.
Stephanie McConkie, 2nd Vice President
Fisher Phillips
When did you know you wanted to be a lawyer? My parents will tell you they knew I would become a lawyer early on, but I only decided to explore the idea after college. I had an opportunity to work as a paralegal at a small firm, discovered I enjoyed it, and with their encouragement, I took the leap!
What is a book that you feel everyone should read? Educated by Tara Westover
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Most of my time is devoted to my pups, but at least they’re cute! Otherwise I love baking pies and playing video and card games with my partner, David, and spending time with family and friends.
