Meet Your 2024 Pro Bono Stars
The Denver Bar Association’s Denver Access to Justice Committee has announced its Pro Bono Stars of 2024, celebrating legal professionals who have gone above and beyond in providing free legal services to underserved communities. These honorees demonstrate a steadfast commitment to justice, empowering individuals who might not otherwise have access to legal representation. Each recipient’s story is a testament to the power of pro bono work in transforming lives for clients and the attorneys representing them.
Ashley L. Balicki | Partner, Smith Balicki Finn Laraway
Ashley L. Balicki is a founding shareholder of Smith Balicki Finn Laraway, where she practices family law and appeals. Specializing in complex custody matters, jurisdictional issues, and high net-worth divorces, Balicki strives to minimize the emotional and financial strain of family law cases for her clients. As a mother of three, she is particularly sensitive to the well-being of children in family law litigation.
Balicki has received numerous accolades in her profession, including recognition from Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers. She views pro bono work as a vital part of her commitment to social responsibility and the ethical obligations of the legal profession, recognizing the profound impact that legal representation can have on those who cannot afford it.
Nicole Economy Brown, Esq. | Estate Planning Attorney
Nicole Economy Brown focuses her practice on estate planning, estate and gift tax planning, estate and trust administration, trust modification, and marital agreements. Brown takes a collaborative approach to the attorney-client relationship, listening to clients’ goals and tailoring estate plans to meet their needs. She is a dedicated volunteer with Metro Volunteer Lawyers, offering her expertise through Power of Attorney clinics and by representing pro bono clients.
Brown believes estate planning is essential for everyone, not just the wealthy, and strives to make this important legal service accessible to all. Outside of her legal work, she enjoys reading, traveling with her family, and spending time with her beloved clowder of cats.
Nicholas Antonio Cortes, Esq. | Associate Attorney, Guerra Law Firm LLC
Nicholas Antonio Cortes is an Associate Attorney at the Guerra Law Firm LLC, where his practice focuses on Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, and Immigration. Cortes, who began practicing law in November 2023, brings a deep sense of duty and service to his work, informed by his military background. From 2007 to 2013, he served in the Marine Corps infantry, including a combat tour in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
After his time in the Marine Corps, Cortes faced personal challenges and legal troubles, leading him to dedicate his life to serving others. He applies his warrior ethos to the practice of law, with a focus on defending the innocent and marginalized. One of his notable pro bono cases involved representing a non-citizen falsely accused of a serious felony offense that carried the possibility of 30+ years in prison. After a five-day jury trial in Adams County Court, the jury delivered a Not Guilty verdict in just two hours, a transformative experience for Cortes that reaffirmed his passion for advocacy.
Michael W. King | Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP
Michael W. King has been instrumental in creating Brownstein’s Corporate Pro Bono Clinic, a program designed to provide junior attorneys with experience in corporate governance through pro bono service. The clinic pairs attorneys with non-profit clients, offering guidance on governance and bylaws while developing leadership skills for junior lawyers. King also mentors these attorneys, preparing them to take on first-chair roles in their pro bono work.
King’s commitment to pro bono extends beyond the clinic; he has mediated employment discrimination cases with federal judges for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission since 1999, often settling challenging cases. His dedication to pro bono not only strengthens the community but also builds professional skills for young attorneys, benefiting both clients and the legal profession as a whole
Jo Lauren Seavy | Sullivan Green Seavy Jarvis
Jo Lauren Seavy is a partner at Sullivan Green Seavy Jarvis, where she has spent over thirty years practicing estate planning, probate, and family law. A dedicated volunteer with Metro Volunteer Lawyers, Seavy offers her time and expertise to a variety of programs, including estate planning and family law services. She also serves the Denver Indian Center and mentors young attorneys who are passionate about pro bono work.
Seavy believes that volunteering is a powerful way to give back to the community and help those who might not otherwise have access to legal services. For her, pro bono work is not just about providing legal advice—it’s about making a positive impact on someone’s life and future.