Committees
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Chairpersons 2009/2010 - Ilene Bloom
Staff Liaison - Carolyn Gravit, (303) 824-5323, cgravit@cobar.org
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Chairpersons 2009-2010- Jeanne Busacca and Ashley Kilroy
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Staff Liaison - Melissa Nicoletti, (303) 824-5321, melissan@cobar.org
Court Annexed Mediation Program
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Chairperson 2010/2011 - Christopher B. Little
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Staff Liaison - Tara Miller
Responsible for nominating the winners of the annual award of merit; also coordinates other awards given by the association.
The committee is seeking nominations for the following awards: DBA Award of Merit, DBA Volunteer Lawyer of the Year, DBA Young Lawyer of the Year, Judicial Excellence and Teacher of the Year. Nominations are due Feb. 5, 2010.
Nominations should fit the specific award criteria and focus on the nominee’s: involvement with the DBA; involvement with the CBA; community contributions outside of the Bar Associations; and legal career/accomplishments. The above criteria are listed in importance of emphasis to the committee.
Send nominations for 2009/2010 to Tara Miller, tmiller@cobar.org , or via U.S. mail to DBA, Attn: Tara Miller, 1900 Grant Street, Ste. 900, Denver, CO 80203.
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The DBA Award of Merit recognizes outstanding contributions made by a DBA member to the DBA and the profession.
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Volunteer Lawyer of the Year honors a DBA member who has performed extraordinary voluntary legal or community service.
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Young Lawyer of the Year honors a member of the DBA who is under 37 or has been practicing law less than three years, and has made outstanding contributions to the community and the interests of young lawyers in the Denver metro area.
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Judicial Excellence honors a DBA member of the judiciary for extraordinary service or exceptional contributions to the improvement of the judicial system.
Teacher of the Year recognizes an outstanding teacher in the Denver community.
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Teacher of the Year recognizes an outstanding teacher in the Denver community.
Click here for the nomination form.
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Chairpersons 2010/2011 - Ilene Bloom and MaryBeth Sobel
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Staff Liaison - Dana Collier Smith, (303) 824-5318 dcolliersmith@cobar.org
Plans and organizes this annual association fund-raising dinner/dance. The proceeds go towards the Metro Volunteer Lawyers Program, which provides legal services to indigent clients.
Get ready for the 2011 Barristers Benefit Ball.
2011 Barristers Benefit Ball is scheduled for Saturday, April 30, 2011. Please remember, Metro Volunteer Lawyers relies on us in times like these!
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$3,250 — Patron Table for 10 guests (includes two drinks per guest and recognition in the dinner program)
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$275 — Patron Ticket (includes two drinks and recognition in the dinner program)
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$165 — Individual Tickets
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$120 — Judicial Tickets
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$100 — Young Lawyer and Non-Lawyer Tickets
Contact Dana Collier Smith at dcolliersmith@cobar.org or (303) 824-5318 to purchase your ticket.
Bench Bar Committee
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Chairperson 2010/2011 - Richard Strauss
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Staff Liaison - Greg Martin, (303) 824-5317 gmartin@cobar.org
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Chairpersons 2009/2010 — Nike Fleming and Jennifer DiLalla
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Staff Liaisons — Heather Clark, (303) 824-5350 hclark@cobar.org and Alexa Drago (303) 824-5313 adrago@cobar.org
This committee provides an opportunity for members to reach beyond the legal community to the Denver community at large and provide valuable legal, educational, social and civic assistance to those in need. On-going programs include addressing the issues of the homeless, education, and encouraging attorneys to serve on boards of non-profit agencies. Please note the Community Action Network check-off on the committee preference sheet.
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Chairpersons 2009/2010 - Jack Patten and Meschach Rhoades
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Staff Liaison - Andrea Mueller, (303)824-5340, amueller@cobar.org
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Chairpersons 2010/2011: Erich Bethke and John Kechriotis
The Democracy Education Committee meets the first Thursday of every month at the CBA offices. The committee recruits law professionals into Denver Public Schools. Projects include: Denver Regional Mock Trial Tournament, National Constitution Day, in-class mock trial scripts for elementary, middle and high schools, court tours at the City and County Building, “We the People” volunteer training, 2009 Law Day Coloring Contest and speaker bureaus. Currently, we are working to get attorneys into the classroom to substitute teach. If you are interested in this committee, please contact Carolyn Gravit at cgravit@cobar.org.
The Docket is the newsletter for the Denver Bar Association. Each month, The Docket presents news of interest to the Association's members calendars of events and CLE classes; restaurant, movie and book reviews; practice tips, gossip and humorous articles of all kinds. The committee members write material and work with the DBA staff to publish The Docket. Written material is solicited from all members of the DBA, not just the committee members.
Chairpersons 2010-/2011 - Richard Strauss, Todd Jansen and Robert Hooke
Coordinates the DBA Henry Hall Memorial Golf Tournament a full day golf tournament. Contact Alexa Drago (adrago@cobar.org) at the DBA for more information.
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Chairpersons 2009/2010 - Bill Babich and Suzanne Lambdin
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Staff Liaison- Melissa Nicoletti, (303) 824-5321 melissan@cobar.org
A joint CBA/DBA committee. A committee consisting of attorneys and other professionals that seeks to promote better understanding among the professions; prepares statements of principles governing interprofessional relations; and assists in resolving disputes between professionals. Maintains the Interprofessional Code.
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Chairperson 2010/2011- MaryBeth Sobel
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Staff Liaison - Greg Martin, (303) 824-5317, gmartin@cobar.org
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Chairperson 2009/2010 - Joanne Herlihy
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Staff Liaison- Richard Dyrland, (303) 824-5371, richardd@cobar.org
The committee seeks to identify and resolve through arbitration disputes between attorneys and their clients concerning legal fees.
To receive information on how to submit a dispute, please call (303) 860-1115 x807 or read the the information below.
Settling Disputes Over Lawyers Fees
The following are questions and answers about the process. Who Runs The Program? - The Legal Fee Arbitration Committee is made up of about 100 members appointed by both the Denver Bar and Colorado Bar Association Presidents. Is The Committee Made Up Only Of Lawyers? - No. Non-lawyers sit on most of the panels that hear the disputes and render decisions. Is The Program Voluntary Or Compulsory? - It's voluntary - and both sides must agree to participate before any arbitration takes place.
Step 1: Reporting the Dispute
Either the lawyer or the client should send a letter to the Legal Fee Arbitration Committee, 1900 Grant Street, 9th Floor, Denver, CO 80203-4336. The following information should be contained in the letter:
a. that there is a fee dispute
b. request for its submission to fee arbitration
c. full names addresses and telephone numbers of both parties
d. amount of the dispute; please note only fee disputes over $100 are considered
Do Not Send Any Documentation at the Time of the Initial Letter.
Step 2: The Cooling Off Period
The Bar Association office will notify both parties that the request for arbitration has been received. It also notifies them that the arbitration process will be delayed for 30 days to give them another opportunity to settle the dispute themselves. Many disputes are settled during this ";;Cooling Off";; period.
Step 3: Agreement to Arbitrate
Both parties will receive two forms to complete:
a. Background Information Form asking each party to describe his/her position in the dispute.
b. Arbitration Contract for signature. This indicates an acceptance of arbitration and will accept the decision as binding. Only when the agreements are signed by both parties and returned to the bar office will the Chairperson of the Colorado Bar Association Legal Fee Arbitration Committee appoint a Hearing Officer. This process takes about 7 - 10 days.
Step 4: Hearing Officer
The Hearing Officer arranges a place, date, and time for the hearing. At the hearing, the client and lawyer may testify and may provide witnesses and documents or records. The Hearing Officer has 90 days to report Findings to the Committee for a final review & vote.
Step 5: Findings
As soon as possible after the hearing, the findings and recommendations are sent to the full Committee for review. The Committee will then issue a Final Written Determination, saying whether the fee should be paid or whether it is disapproved (and if disapproved, whether entirely or partially). The Committee has no authority to order an attorney's fee increased.
Copies of the written decision are sent to the parties. All matters related to the dispute are kept confidential by the panel, the Committee and the staff at the Colorado Bar Associations.
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Chairperson 2010/2011 - Elsa Martinez Tenreiro
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Staff Liaison - Dana Collier Smith, (303) 824-5318 dcolliersmith@cobar.org
Article in January issue of The Docket
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Chairperson 2009/2010 - Don McMichael
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Staff Liaison - Tara Miller, (303)824-5312, tmiller@cobar.org
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Board of Trustees Liaison - Mary Jo Gross
This group of attorneys, chaired by Don McMichael, is for those members “65 or better.” The committee has four big events throughout the year. The biggest party of the year is the Senior Spring Banquet, which honors Denver lawyers who have been licensed for 50 years. The committee’s fall event, the “Seniors Roast,” honors an attorney or judge nominated by the most active senior members for his/her outstanding commitment to the legal community. December’s Holiday Party is the most casual of the events and includes connecting with familiar faces, spreading holiday cheer and enjoying tasty fare. July’s golf tournament is always a hit with the senior members and adds a little competition to the event calendar. New members are welcome.
For any additional information, questions, or concerns, please contact Director of Public Legal Education, Carolyn Gravit at (303) 824-5323 or cgravit@cobar.org
Many opportunities await the volunteer-spirited attorney.
Volunteers are needed monthly to provide information at free clinics in SMALL CLAIMS, COLLECTIONS, BANKRUPTCY, DOING YOUR OWN DIVORCE in both English and Spanish, DIVORCE WITH CHILDREN, and IMMIGRATION .
Call-a-Lawyer programs at Channel 9 need lawyers as often weekly to answer viewer/listener questions.
Attorneys are always needed to answer requests for Mock Trial support, career days, court tours, classroom presentations and public speaking.
A full list of programs and their descriptions is provided below for your convenience. Your unique and finely honed skills are always needed and gratefully appreciated by Public Legal Education. Volunteer early and volunteer often!
Community Based Projects
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Program Name
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Program Description
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Time Commitment
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Timing
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Lawline 9
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Staff a Lawline 9 call-in program. Answer general legal questions and provide legal information and referrals to other community legal resources. Weekly topics vary and can be found here. Legal resource information provided. |
11/2 hour shifts
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Year-round every Wednesday
4:00-5:15pm and/or
5:15-6:30pm
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The People's Fair
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Staff the DBA booth to answer legal questions and offer legal information and referrals to other community legal resources to Fair attendees. Legal resource information provided. |
2 hour shifts
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1st Saturday and Sunday in June |
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Veterans' Stand Down
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Assist homeless vets by answering legal questions and offering legal information and referrals to other community legal resources. Legal resource information provided. |
2 hour shifts
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November |
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Pro Se Clinics
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Conduct a pro se legal clinic for the community. Call Carolyn Gravit for topics and availability, or if you have a clinic you'd like to offer |
2 hours + prep time
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Ongoing during the year, Once a month |
School Based Projects
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Program Name
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Program Description
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Grade Level
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Time Commitment
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Timing
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Speakers |
Speak to a class on any one of a variety of topics. |
All Levels |
1-3 hours |
Ongoing during the school year, depending on school requests |
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Court Tours |
Take classes on tour of the local City/County Courthouse; training/orientation provided. Non-litigators welcomed! |
All Levels |
2-3 hours |
Ongoing during the school year, depending on school requests |
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Career Days |
Speak about the legal professions to a classroom, or at a CBA/DBA sponsered booth. |
All Levels |
3 hours |
Ongoing during the school year, depending on school requests |
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Law Week |
Law Week Volunteers: Implement curricula and programs in classrooms during the first week of May; includes dialogue formats and in-class activities. |
Middle and High School |
1-3 hours |
First week in May |
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In-Class Mock Trials |
Visit a classroom to help implement and explain what a mock trial is and how it works. Teachers work with students in advance. Mock trial scripts are available for elementary, middle, and high school classes. |
All Levels |
1-3 hours |
Ongoing during the school year, depending upon school requests |
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In Class Law-Related Activities |
Implement miscellaneous law-related activities in the classroom. Materials are provided for use by attorney and teacher. |
All Levels |
2-4 hours |
Ongoing during the school year, depending on school requests |
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Colorado Mock Trial Program |
Attorney Coaches (A.C.): Partner with teachers to coach students about mock trial elements and prepare a case problem for regional/state mock trial competition.
Assistant Attorney Coaches (A.A.C): Assist pimary attorney coaches with preparation of mock trial teams.
Scoring Panelists (S.P.): Adjudicate mock trial rounds at the regional/state tournament. An orientation and Bench Brief provided in advance.
Courtroom Monitors (C.M.): Monitor courtroom(s) and rounds during mock trial tournament. An orientation and checklist provided.
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Middle and High School |
A.C.=Varies
A.A.C.= Varies
S.P.=3-4 hours
C.M.=6-8 hours
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A.C.=Mid-December through mid-March (Can extent to mid-May if team advances to National)
A.A.C.=Varies for each school
S.P.=February and March; Friday afternoon or Saturday
C.M.=February and March; Friday afternoon or Saturday
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