Brian Allensworth of Shughart Thomson & Kilroy, PC

From the Statement of Assistance:

In February of this year, the Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center opened its pro bono Domestic Violence Program to paralegals.  Brian Allensworth was one of the first paralegals to attend a training and start taking cases.  Brian is currently only one of two paralegal volunteers for the organization.

As a volunteer Brian serves as the Guardian ad litem (GAL) for children whose parents are involved in the Denver County Protective Order Court.  It is the GAL's responsibility to represent the best interests of the children clients.  As a GAL, Brian has investigated the living situations of his client children and has reported his findings and recommendations to the court.

Brian has been the ideal volunteer.  Most volunteers are on a quarter system where they take one case every three months.  Brian has committed to at least one case a quarter.  This puts Brian on the short list of volunteers that the organization can call more often than once a quarter.  This is the best type of volunteer.  Brian not only goes above and beyond in the amount of cases he takes; he also gives more to each case he takes.  Brian's investigations are one of the most thorough the organization has ever encountered.

The Protective Order Court usually serves lower income families, and often provides indigent families their sole access to the judicial system.  These volunteers are the only voice these children have in the courtroom, and they are often the only advocate any party has.

Brian's dedication to the Children's Law Center extended past their Domestic Violence Program.  Brian joined their Champions for Children bike team, and completed the infamous Triple By-Pass, which is a 120-mile bike trek from Evergreen to Avon that includes three mountain passes over 10,000 feet in elevation.  Brian not only completed the race, he also raised over $2,500 for the Law Center.  It is one of the largest fundraisers the organization has had.

Brian was the only member of this year's Champsions for Children team that also is an active participant in one of their other pro bono programs.  It is because of his dedication and groundbreaking participation that Brian Allensworth is enthusiastically nominated for 2007 Pro Bono Paralegal of the Year.