YLD Winter 2018 Newsletter

Young Lawyers Division Newsletter

The Young Lawyers Division of the Colorado Lawyers Committee is open (without charge) to any lawyer or law student who is under 40 years of age or has been in practice fewer than eight years. The mission of the CLC YLD is to empower passionate young lawyers and law students to make a difference for children and the underserved through education, advocacy, and systemic change.

YLD Board Position Open – Strategic Planning Team

Interested in joining the YLD Board? We have an opening on the Strategic Planning Team, alongside Abby Hinchcliff (Bartlit Beck LLP). This team, responsible for implementing the organization and direction of the CLC YLD, evaluates the strategic direction of the YLD, organizes the annual board retreat, and implements plans to ensure the YLD continues to be a vibrant and active organization. If you would like to be considered for this position, please fill out an application. Deadline to apply is December 18 ^th .

Leadership/New Board Members

As of September, Jennie Wray (pictured first) is the new YLD Board Chair, as well as co-chair of the PR & Membership Team. Jennie is a 2006 graduate of Vermont Law School and a partner at The Harris Law Firm P.C. where she practices Family Law.

Abby Hinchcliff (pictured second) is our new YLD Board Chair Elect and the co-chair of the YLD Strategic Planning Team. Abby is a 2012 graduate of Yale Law School and a partner at Bartlit Beck LLP where she practices Commercial Litigation.

The YLD Board recently added three new members: Liz Froehlke (Littler Mendelson P.C.) to oversee the Hate Crimes Team; Kelly Murphy (The Harris Law Firm P.C.) for the PR & Membership Team; and Caitlin McHugh (Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP) for the Special Projects Team. Welcome Liz, Kelly and Caitlin! The three new Board members replace three talented Board members who have served since the YLD was founded: Matt Linton, John McHugh and Tenley Oldak. Thank you to Matt, John and Tenley for your service on the YLD Board.

Third annual YLD Casino Night set for February 22

Our 3rd Annual CLC YLD Casino Night Fundraiser is set for February 22, 2019 from 6-9pm at Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC. Our biggest YLD event of the year, there will be food, drinks, gambling and a silent auction. Bring your family, bring your friends, bring your neighbors! Non-YLD members are welcome. Save the date and look for sign ups on our website in January.

If you would like to help with the event and/or donate silent auction items, please contact the YLD Fundraising & Events Co-Chairs Lauren Carboni and Tess Hand-Bender .

Did you know...

... You can volunteer for any of our Colorado Lawyers Committee projects as a YLD Member. Visit our website to learn more about CLC's current and upcoming volunteer opportunities. Take a look at the 2018 Annual Report to see all of our projects. You can sign up for many of these projects online. Contact Kathleen McCrohan with any questions.

YLD Team Spotlight

Hate Crimes Team

Liz Froehlke (Littler Mendelson P.C.) and Mack Wilding (Ballard Spahr LLP) are working alongside the CLC Hate Crimes Education Task Force to develop a national Hate Crimes Education Program that will roll out in 2019. Working with the National Lawyers’ Committee, the national curriculum will allow this valuable program that the CLC has presented in Colorado schools for 25 years to be in every school in the country. Well done Liz and Mack! Thank you for all your hard work on this groundbreaking program!

Explore more YLD Teams

YLD Volunteer Spotlight

Ryan Thurber, Polsinelli PC

Name one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you.

I've only broken one bone (so far, knock on wood). In keeping with the Colorado spirit of engaging in extreme sports and other adventurous outdoor activities, I was playing tetherball.

What's your favorite moment about volunteering with the YLD Special Projects Team?

The 2018 Election Call Center. My favorite CLC activities are always those where we have the opportunity to conduct public education and outreach, because I believe a shared community understanding of our legal system and values is of the utmost importance - particularly in our current era of misinformation and hyper-partisanship.

The call center was an opportunity not only to provide important information to the public about voting rights and process, but also to work alongside a group of highly-committed volunteers with these same goals in mind. Can't wait to do it all over again in a couple years!

YLD/CLC Volunteer Opportunities

Legal Nights

Denver Legal Night

Every first & third Wednesday of the month

5:30 - 7:00 pm

Centro San Juan Diego

2830 Lawrence Street, Denver, CO 80205

Greeley Legal Night

Feb 26, Apr 23, Jul 23, Sept 24

5:45 – 8:00 pm

Our Lady of Peace Church

1311 3 ^rd Street, Greeley, CO 80631

Learn more about Legal Nights.

Hate Crimes Education Task Force Presentations

The Hate Crimes Education Task Force is looking for volunteers to spend two hours presenting a fictional trial to teach 7 ^th through 12 ^th graders about the Colorado Hate Crimes statute.

Nonprofit Legal Audit Clinic

The next Nonprofit Legal Audit Clinic will take place on February 27, 2019 from 8am to 1pm at Hogan Lovells US LLP. Teams of lawyers will work with small nonprofits to assess their legal health. The day begins with a free CLE, followed by the clinic. Sign ups coming soon to our website!

YLD Fundraising & Events Team held a Fall Happy Hour in October at Cooper Lounge in Union Station. We had a great turnout of both long-time volunteers and new members. Thank you to all who attended!

YLD Special Projects Team co-sponsored a Nonpartisan Election Call Center in November at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP. Thank you to Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP for hosting. More than 60 volunteers answered phones during the Call Center and food was donated by several generous law firms. Co-Chairs Caitlin McHugh (Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP) and Ryan Thurber (Polsinelli PC) led the Steering Committee through another successful event.