METRO VOLUNTEER LAWYERS | BY PATRICIA ROSALES-CHAVEZ

To Old Lawyers: Never Die or Simply Fade Away, Switch to Pro Bono.

urrently, in my retirement, I am So, if and when you write for any reason, instructor and head lifeguard. My seven Cembarking on developing different try it with a mug of music. brothers and sisters and I all participated skills, specifically taking a stab at play- That brings me back to the idea of in sports, whether intermural, intramu- writing. I even have a subject in mind. trying something new in retirement. ral, recreational, or the neighborhood What would a conversation sound like I bring up the idea of learning a new free-for-alls. In fact, my sister who is between Eve, the first woman from man, skill for the purpose of sharing a way for developmentally disabled participated and Mary, the mother of men? What would retired lawyers who do not wish to fade in the local Special Olympics. Two of my their interactions look like? away to practice law on a smaller but brothers, two of my sisters, and I played One of my rituals when writing is lis- rewarding scale. (“Fade away” refers to one or more musical instruments and half tening to music. Be it Latin, jazz, soul, General Douglas MacArthur’s famous of the eight of us are vocalists. My parents, blues, folk from the ‘50s and ‘60s, stan- line, “Old soldiers never die, they simply as well as extended family and family dards from the ‘40s, Big Band, Gregorian fade away.”) But before I elaborate on friends, provided us the opportunities chants, classical or every now and then, my alternative to fading away, allow me to learn about and participate in the arts. a dash of hip-hop, rap, country, or disco. to lay some groundwork. You may have guessed that I am partial Why Latin music? Actually, Latin music Most parents of baby boomers were to the performing arts, which explains is what revs up my creative funny bone. firm believers that the three R’s, (read- my interest in acting as a playwright. (No Professor Christopher Muscato, MS, ing, (w)riting, (a)rithmetic,) served as thoughts of grandiosity here.) University of Northern Colorado, in a the foundation to a good education. My By-products of my personal devel- history course describes Latin music parents, who were teachers, were no ex- opment under the three A’s include as follows: ception. However, I recall that my parents an affinity for charity and compassion also emphasized the three A’s as part of (humbly speaking). In combination with Latin music has roots in Southern our personal development. The three A’s spirituality, morals, or ethics, personal Europe, Africa, and the indigenous cul- are academics, athletics, and the arts. To development based on the three A’s sup- tures of Latin America, so it’s a pretty cool my parents, studies were important, but ports the practice of giving back to our synthesis of world music. It is motivated physical exercise and an appreciation of community. Consider the philanthropic by emotion and passion, rhythm and art were as significant to a child’s growth. work of numerous athletes and artists movement, so get up on your feet because I remember spending almost every including but not limited to Eli and Payton you can’t take Latin music sitting down. summer day at the City Park Swimming Manning, our very own Bronco Vaughn As they say in Latin America, ¡Baila! Pool, where my father was a swimming Miller, LeBron James, the late Kobe Bryant,

10 • THE DOCKET • MAY/JUNE 2021 METRO VOLUNTEER LAWYERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE MVL’s mission is “to bridge the gap in access to justice by coordinating the provision of pro bono legal services by volunteer lawyers within the Denver area to people who could not otherwise afford legal services for their civil legal issues.”

Pro bono attorneys can make a difference.

denbar.org/mvl 303-830-8210

Volunteer today. Beyonce, Lady Gaga, the late Chick Corea, (a) To act in such a capacity, the file a registration statement on or and the Marsalis Brothers. applicant for pro bono counsel before February 28, identifying the This is where we retired lawyers come certification must be either: entity or entities, as described in in. Recalling my parent’s admonition to section (1) of this rule, for which never forget from where I came, I ask you (i) An attorney, including a re- the attorney has volunteered in the to do the same. One of the best ways is by tired attorney, admitted to prac- prior twelve‐month period. doing good deeds for others, especially tice law in Colorado who: those who do not have access to the justice (b) An attorney certified under this system for various reasons. I would not (A) Is now on inactive status rule who has not provided pro bono be able to provide legal service to others (B) Is a member in good stand- legal services under this rule within had I not been on the receiving end of the ing of the bar of all courts and the prior twelve‐month period is good deeds of others. As I alluded earlier, jurisdictions in which he or she not required to file the registration for retired attorneys who do not wish to has been admitted to practice statement described in subsection (a) fade away and are up to giving back to the (C) Has no pending formal above, but the attorney must pay the community, consider pro bono service. disciplinary or disability pro- registration fee that was applicable In the preamble to the Rules Governing ceeding; and in the prior calendar year for regis- Admission to the Bar in chapters 18-20 (D) Limits his or her practice to tered inactive attorneys pursuant to of The Rules Governing Admission to acting as pro bono counsel as C.R.C.P. 227(A). By paying that fee, the Practice of Law in Colorado are the set forth in this rule and, not- the attorney may remain a certified following tenets: withstanding the reduced fee pro bono counsel under this rule. o The legal profession serves clients, provisions of Colo. RPC 6.1(b), courts, and the public. will not receive or expect com- I have been retired since 2017and in o The Supreme Court establishes es- pensation or other direct or 2019 I began volunteering with the Met- sential eligibility requirements, rules of indirect pecuniary gain for ro Volunteer Lawyers, participating in professional conduct, and other rules for the legal services rendered … their Family Law Clinic and the Power the legal profession. of Attorney Workshop. I am now a board Objectives under the rules include, but (2) Filing Requirements. An applicant member, representing the Adams and are not limited the following: under this rule shall file an application Broomfield County Bar Association, which o Increasing public understanding of and for pro bono counsel certification. The is a co-sponsor of MVL. MVL’s mission is confidence in the rule of law, the admin- applicant shall pay a fee in an amount “to bridge the gap in access to justice by istration of justice, and each individual’s fixed by the Supreme Court. The fee coordinating the provision of pro bono legal rights and duties. must be paid when the application is legal services by volunteer lawyers within o Promoting access to justice. submitted. The fee shall be made pay- the Denver metro area to people who could o Promoting consumer confidence. able to the Clerk of the Supreme Court. not otherwise afford legal services for their o Helping lawyers throughout the stages civil legal issues.” For additional information of their careers successfully navigate The application shall include a certifi- and volunteer opportunities, see the MVL the practice of law and thus better serve cation that the applicant agrees to the website https://www.denbar.org/mvl. their clients. provisions of subsection (1)(a) above. Baila y escribe! o Promoting diversity, inclusion, equality, and freedom from discrimination in the (3) Scope of Authority. An attorney PATRICIA ROSALES-CHAVEZ is a delivery of legal services and the admin- certified under this rule has the au- proud Colorado native who retired istration of justice. thority to act as pro bono counsel after thirty-five years of practicing in the One rule adopted by the Supreme for clients as defined in section (1) public sector. Pat served as a Colorado Court, which I would like to share with my of this rule. The attorney may not act legislative lawyer, an administrative law retired colleagues is Rule 204.6, Pro Bono as counsel for a client until certified judge and member of The Colorado Counsel Certification, which provides for under this rule. State Parole Board, an assistant county limited provision of legal services. The (6) Registration and Fees. attorney for Pueblo and Adams County rule, in part, provides as follows: (a) An attorney certified under this Attorney’s Office, and a deputy district (1) General Statement and Eligibility. rule shall not be required to pay an attorney for the 10th and 19th Judicial In its discretion, the Supreme Court annual registration fee if the attor- District Attorney’s Offices. After may certify attorneys … to practice ney has provided pro bono legal participating in the civil legal clinic at law in Colorado to provide pro bono services under this rule within the the University of Colorado Law School, legal services under the auspices of an prior twelve‐month period. In order Pat began her legal career working for entity described in C.R.C.P. 260.8(2), to be exempt from paying an annual Colorado Rural Legal Services (NKA in accordance with Colo. RPC 6.1. registration fee, the attorney shall Colorado Legal Services.)

12 • THE DOCKET • MAY/JUNE 2021