Santa listens to this foster child talk about his wishes.

This participant spies the perfect toy.

YLD Christmas in January

Having another successful year, the DBA YLD Christmas in January program, on Jan. 20, gave 250 foster children a morning filled with toy giveaways, photos with santa and a pizza party. Thank you to all who contributed to this annual event!

Thanks Attorneys and Volunteers!

YLD Neighborhood Partners

Come on down to a happy hour at Marlowe’s (511 16th St.) on March 9, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Bring a carpentry tool to support Neighborhood Partners, a program that builds or restores homes for the less fortunate, and get two free drinks and free hors d’oeuvres.

On March 10, use those tools and lend a helping hand to the Neighborhood Partners. No special carpentry skills required! This is a great way to enjoy the spring time and help our local community. Contact Tamatha Blase at (303) 221-2715 or Tblase@earthlink.net for more information or to sign-up.

A Not-Quite-Bulwer-Lytton Legal Writing Contest

What? You’ve never heard of the world-wide bad writing contest?!?

For your reading pleasure (or your necessary creative outlet), we’ve decided to localize this contest in a legal way.

We have every confidence that Denver lawyers can write as badly as anyone in the world.

The name Bulwer-Lytton comes from the man who wrote a book that began "It was a dark and stormy night . . ." You probably thought the famous beagle Snoopy thought that up by himself. He didn’t. The contest began in 1982 at San Jose State University—it challenged entrants to "compose the opening sentence to the worst of all possible novels." Apparently they stole the idea from someone else, and, with modification, we’re using it now.

We invite you to submit the opening paragraph of your imaginary legal book. The point is to walk that fine line between obsequiousness and charm, between subtlety and coercion, between drooling excess and simply splendid adjectives. Walk to the brink of obfuscation, but don’t jump. Go for beguiling, even enthralling. Leave your reader in discomposure. Emancipate a plethora of supple verbs, let loose those unsavory adjectives and get down. We supplicate you.

E-mail your first paragraph to mosberg@cobar.org or fax to (303) 861-5274 by April 1, and we’ll print the best of the worst in our May edition.

Here is an example to get you started, turned in by a lawyer who wishes to remain anonymous:

Raef’s cramps intensified as he simultaneously recalled last night’s run-in with the burrito grande from Rosarita’s Authentico Café and focused on the death spiral of his career, made plain to him by his current Infernoesque encounter, yet again, with Bettena Scripson, the dyspeptic junior lawyer representing State Farm, an encounter which had all the hallmarks of countless other depos concerning whose car bumper collided with whose rear end.

You can do worse than that, right?

So, get started.

Colorado Bar Association President Dale Harris visited the DBA Board of Trustees on Jan. 11.

CBA Visit to DBA

Each year, the CBA president and various CBA staff members and officers visit the local bar associations to talk about members’ concerns and inform members of CBA services and benefits. For a schedule of upcoming visits, contact Jo Ann Salazar at (303) 824-5310 or jvsalazar@cobar.org.

2001 YLD Elections

Get involved in the great programs that the DBA Young Lawyers Division organizes, like the Winetasting to Benefit Legal Aid, Bar Mart, Court Orientation and Lawsuit Day. Join the YLD Executive Council Board. There are five openings. If you would like to run for a board opening, send a letter of interest to Karen Bries-Long at the Denver Bar Association, 1900 Grant St., Ninth Floor, Denver, CO 80203, before March 26. Call Dawn Adeletti with questions at (303) 592-6631.

An Evening Aboard the Orient Express
Honorees and Raffle Prizes

Every year, select attorneys are honored at the Denver Bar Assocation Barristers Benefit Ball for their dedication to pro bono services. Ed Moss, Lori Crystal, Bill Litvak, Bill Waggoner, George Aucoin, Martin Brown and Fred Schrekinger will be recognized at this year’s ball. Kelly Haglund Garnsey & Kahn is the "Law Firm of the Year" in recognition of its exemplary commitment to MVL and its indigent clients.

Following are the raffle prizes that will be given at this year’s ball:

• A year of fine dining—12 gift certificates to some of Denver’s finest restaurants, including Gallagher’s, The Broker, Zenith, Aubergine Café, Barolo Grill, Morton’s of Chicago, Trinity Grille and La Fondue ($1,200 value)

• "South High Tower" pastel painting by Bruce Gomez donated by the artist and Abend Gallery ($825 value)

• "Winter Lights" oil painting by Albert Hopkins donated by the artist and Abend Gallery ($1,100 value)

• Weekend getaway in Estes Park—three days, two nights for two at an especially fine private residence, donated by Gibson Arnold & Associates ($1,200 value)

• Golf and Dinner Package—A round of golf for four at the Omni Interlocken Resort ($400 value)

• $100 certificate to Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant

You don’t have to attend the ball to win. Tickets are $20. Make checks payable to the DBA, and send to DBA BBB, 1900 Grant St., Ninth Floor, Denver, CO 80203. For more information, call Dana Collier Smith at (303) 824-5318.

2001 Term Day

Denver District Court Chief Judge Stephen Phillips presided over Term Day on Jan. 8. At that time, judges who had been retained were sworn in and employees were honored for their service and dedication. Following the ceremony, the DBA sponsored a reception in the library. This is also the day that the judges change offices.

Staff at the Denver Court were honored for their help and dedication in making the courts run smoothly and efficiently.