YOUR DBA September 2024

MVL Day of Service

Metro Volunteer Lawyers partnered with the University of Denver—Sturm College of Law on August 14 for their 1L “day of service.” Anthony Pereira spoke about how MVL helps the community, and the students made nearly 350 calls to volunteer attorneys to see if they were interested in taking a pro bono case. Because of those efforts, 40 volunteers are ready to take a case now! Since MVL never has a shortage of cases, 40 families will now be provided with legal services they could not otherwise afford.   

We want to thank Alexi Freeman and 2L liaison and orientation leader Jonathon Hill for helping organize and coordinate the event, as well as incoming 1Ls: Linda Yan, Laci Adolfo, Nolan Tomshack, Skyler Davidson, Hannah Horowitz, Cassandra Smith, Rebekah Jensen, Andrew Haapala, Anthony Kennedy, Natalie Afshar, Madeline English, Justin Goldstein, and Xinyu “Cathy” Chen for reaching out to encourage pro bono in our legal community.  

Bench-Bar Committee Courtroom Chat Series 

Polarizing cases grab everyone’s attention, but what are the concerns of judges and lawyers trying them? The Bench-Bar Committee hosted a distinguished panel of guests formed of judges and lawyers in the DBA offices on August 21.   

Denver District Court Judges Karen Brody, Kandace Gerdes, and Sarah Wallace, Adams County Court Judge Marques Ivey, and attorneys David Bellar and Megan Downing, both of Recht Kornfeld PC, discussed what is a polarizing case and the unique challenges facing judges and lawyers in such case. These challenges include deciding the measures necessary to ensure the safety of the judge, attorneys, jurors, and witnesses involved in the case and addressing ethical issues that media coverage and publicity may create. After presentations, guests participated in a roundtable dialogue with the panel, customary in all the Committee’s programs.   

Family Law Advice and Guidance Program Clinic Volunteers

Volunteer attorneys Ugyen Peljor Tshering of Britt, Tshering & Wang LLC and Heather Landauer of GEM Family Law joined Metro Volunteer Lawyers’ Crime Victim Attorney Madeline Rodgers to help eight pro se litigants strategize and navigate court procedure at Metro Volunteer Lawyers’ Family Law Advice and Guidance program clinic, held at the Denver City and County Building on August 13. We truly appreciate their time and expertise!

Estate Planning Program Workshop   

Thanks to Christina at Broomfield Silvercrest and our wonderful Metro Volunteer Lawyers volunteers at the Estate Planning Workshop in Broomfield on August 21. MVL Volunteers Nick Blodgett, Barry Burns, Konetta Campanelli, Sallie Diamond, Jennifer McGinn, Patricia Watson and Sharnelle Wise helped five seniors complete planning documents. Our seniors are so appreciative of all that you do!  

Estate Planning Program Clinic   

On August 22, Metro Volunteer Lawyers brought some serious pro bono energy to the Arnold & Porter offices, teaming up with folks from Arnold & Porter and Chevron for a CLE on the Ethics of Pro Bono and Simple Wills. Elizabeth Jones and Anthony Pereira led the charge, showing how rewarding it is to give back through volunteer work.   

In preparation for our Estate Planning Program Clinic on August 26, volunteers got hands-on with InterActive Legal Software, learning to create simple wills and power of attorney documents. They didn’t just know—they got to flex those new skills, helping residents at a low-income senior facility. Their efforts helped six seniors complete their documents and peace of mind. Big shoutout to everyone who made it happen!    

Jefferson County Family Law Advice and Guidance Clinic  

Attorney Alexandra Jennings of Modern Family Law, Licensed Legal Paraprofessional Cathy Grazier of Gebhardt Emerson Moodie Bonanno, LLC and attorney Courtney Baldwin of Polidori Franklin & Monahan joined Metro Volunteer Lawyers Crime Victim Attorney Madeline Rodgers in giving much-needed legal help to seven individuals at MVL’s Jefferson County Family Law Advice and Guidance clinic, held Friday morning, August 23, in Golden. Kudos and thanks to these family law practitioners for taking time out of their work week to provide pro bono service to their community!  

Family Law Advice and Guidance: Adams County   

Metro Volunteer Lawyers would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to volunteers from the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. On September 5, we assisted twelve individuals through the Family Law Advice and Guidance program in Adams County. Thank you, Jacob Lofgren, Leo Milan, Betsy Atkinson, Brianna Tancher, Cata Cuneo, Kevin G. Webster, Christian Aggeler, Joshua Kottke, Esq., Erin Grundy, Paige Olsen, Allison Ailer, Amy (Churchill) Colony, Sarah Jackson Donahue, Laura Kelly, and Fran Ditchen – thank you for volunteering your time to make such a difference in the community.  

MVL Clinic at the Denver Indian Center    

Metro Volunteer Lawyers would like to thank Alice Hansen, Kara A. De Smet, and Sarah Garber of the Rocky Mountain Veterans Advocacy Project; Matthew J. McDonnell of Lewis Brisbois; Sarah Bella of Modern Family Law; Johnny Holschuh of Modern Family Law; Ralph Strebel of Law Office of Ralph J Strebel; Pierce Dasent, a 1L at the University of Denver – Sturm College of Law; and MVL’s Intern, Sherikera Heflin Herrera for taking the time to increase access to justice in our community by volunteering at MVL’s walk-in legal clinic at the Denver Indian Center. If you, or anyone you know, are interested in volunteering, we are hosting our next clinic at the Denver Indian Center on October 2, 2024!    

Learn more about sharing your time and skills at www.denbar.org/mvl