YOUR DBA August 2024

Your DBA features news of member celebrations and events hosted by the Denver Bar Association and our partners.  

DBA Members Publish Books 

Morris Hoffman, retired judge, and author published his debut novel “Pinch Hitting,” which is described as an ‘ode to baseball’ and can be purchased through links on his website, Morris Hoffman. 

Maha Kamal published her first book, Colorado Family Law: A Trail Guide this summer as well! In this informative book, Maha compiled her tips and tricks of working in family law for the last decade. Learn more about Maha in our 10 Questions column, this month, where she is featured as our special guest!  

Metro Volunteer Lawyers Welcomes New Board Member 

The Denver Bar Association welcomes Sonia Russo to the Metro Volunteer Lawyers Board. Sonia Raichur Russo is a Senior Assistant Attorney General at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, where she serves in the Criminal Appeals Section. Among other honors from the ABA (American Bar Association), Sonia was recognized on the ABA’s 2021 On the Rise Top 40 Young Lawyers list. Sonia was also a 2023 finalist for the CLI Inclusiveness@Work Award in the Young Professional category, and she has been a Law School Yes, We Can mentor. We are excited to have her join the Board as the newest Denver Bar Association representative. 

MVL at the Family Law Institute

This year’s Family Law Institute at the Hythe Vail was another sold out event produced by CBA-CLE! Director of Access to Justice for the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations and Metro Volunteer Lawyers Toni-Anne Nunez presented on the roles of Licensed Legal Professional (LLPs) and access to justice. Kudos to co-panelists Melissa Simonton, Kyle Melchior, AASP, LLP, and Tara Johnson for their inspirational leadership to future LLPs. 

Denver Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Summer Retreat 

The Denver Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (DBA YLD) hosted their End of Year Potluck and said ‘thank you’ to all the board members who participated in the success of this past year while welcoming new members. At this gathering we said goodbye and thank you to some amazing board members whose term ended. 

  • Marika Rietsema Ball
  • Jessica Dowty
  • Jessica Cordero

The DBA YLD is off to a great start after having a successful Summer Planning Retreat and first Executive Council Meeting of the year. The meetings are a perfect blend of socializing and professional development, fostering a strong sense of community among Denver’s early career lawyers. The DBA YLD hosts monthly meetings the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. If you are interested in attending, please email Emma Baxter (ebaxter@cobar.org).

We are thrilled for the upcoming year and eager to dive into all the exciting opportunities and new challenges that await us! We have a fantastic team of young lawyers ready to innovate and collaborate, we are confident that we’ll achieve great things and make a meaningful impact in our field. Here’s to a year full of growth, learning, and success! 

 

New DBA Membership Perk: The Denver Athletic Club 

Denver Bar Association Members are invited to explore The Denver Athletic Club and experience the benefits of membership with a $0 initiation fee in August. As the city’s only private facility of its kind, The DAC is not merely a gym – it’s a lifestyle. Join Denver’s vibrant, urban community by becoming a member of The Denver Athletic Club.  

Please contact Jason McKendrick, Director of Membership at 720.931.6748 or jmckendrick@denverathleticclub.org for more details and to activate this special offer. 

Disclaimer: Offer valid for non-members, local residents & first-time guests only. Restrictions apply.