Colorado Lawyers Committee

The Colorado Lawyers Committee is a 29-year-old nonprofit, nonpartisan consortium of 48 Denver-area law firms that do high impact pro bono work. We advocate, negotiate and litigate for children, the poor and other disadvantaged communities. Volunteer attorneys, paralegals and law students are needed to staff task forces.  Substantive expertise is not required. Current short and long term volunteer opportunities* include:

Legal Night Clinics

·         Provide individuals and families with legal information, resources, and referrals.  Legal Night is held twice a month, from 5:00-7:30 at Mi Casa Resource Center for Women (third Tuesday of the month) and Centro San Juan Diego (first Wednesday of the month).

·         Attorneys and Spanish-speaking translators are needed.

Hate Violence Teaching Tolerance Program

·         Presents mock trials to students based on a fictional case arising from a violation of Colorado’s hate/bias crimes statute.  At the conclusion of the trial, the student jurors discuss the issues and render a verdict.

·         Volunteers are needed to serve as attorneys (prosecutor and defense attorney), judge, and facilitators.  You do not need to be a lawyer to volunteer for the mock trial program.  All are welcome.

Project Homeless Connect

·         Project Homeless Connect is a one-day event that connects Denver’s homeless community to much needed services including: public benefits, medical care, housing, employment opportunities and legal assistance.

·         Volunteer attorneys, paralegals and law students are needed to provide legal information and referrals at the next events (Fall 2007 & Spring 2008).  Training will be provided.

Opportunities for Transactional Attorneys

·         Beginning in October 2007, the Colorado Lawyers Committee will host quarterly nonprofit clinics to provide legal information and training on specific legal issues to nonprofit organizations. 

·         Volunteer transactional attorneys are needed.

Systemic Change: Litigation and Advocacy Projects

·         Colorado Lawyers Committee projects are organized into task forces, normally comprised of lawyers from 3 or 4 law firms.  The task forces typically meet once a month to study a specific problem and then explore possible solutions, including litigation, negotiation, or legislation.

·         We currently have more than 15 task forces working on diverse projects.  Task forces which need volunteers include:

• Children’s Task Force
• Education Task Force
• Election Task Force
• Health Care Task Force
• Mental Health Task Force
• Nonprofit Working Group

To learn more about the Colorado Lawyers Committee, please visit www.coloradolawyerscommittee.org. 

If you’re interested in volunteering for a Lawyers Committee project, please email Nora Earnest, Associate Director, at nearnest@coloradolawyerscommittee.org

*All Colorado Lawyers Committee projects satisfy the Colorado Supreme Count Pro Bono Commitment Initiative.