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I Appreciate the Spirit of the Rule Change, and I Agree That We All

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I Appreciate the Spirit of the Rule Change, and I Agree That We All From: Javed Abbas To: stevens, cheryl Subject: Comment On Proposed Rule Change - 250.2 Date: Saturday, March 27, 2021 8:42:43 PM Attachments: image002.png I appreciate the spirit of the rule change, and I agree that we all likely benefit by understanding the fundamental ways in which we are all connected, and that our society will either succeed or fail primarily based on our ability to cooperate with each other and treat each other fairly. However, I do not support the rule change because I do not think it will have the effect of making us more inclusive because of the ways humans tend to react when forced to do things. There will inevitably be push back from a group of people who do not support the spirit of the rule, that push back will probably be persuasive to people who don’t have strong feelings about the ideas one way or the other but will feel compelled to oppose the ideas because it will be portrayed as part of a political movement that they are inclined to oppose, and ultimately the Rule that is supposed to help us become more inclusive will actually help drive us further apart. I do think it’s a great idea to offer these CLEs and let them compete on equal footing in the marketplace of ideas. Rule Change: "Rule 250.2. CLE Requirements (1) CLE Credit Requirement. Every registered lawyer and every judge must complete 45 credit hours of continuing legal education during each applicable CLE compliance period as provided in these rules. The 45 credit hours must include at least seven credit hours devoted to professional responsibility. a. Beginning January 1, 2023, the seven credit hours devoted to professional responsibility must include the following: i. At least two credit hours in the area of equity, diversity, and inclusivity, and ii. At least five credit hours in the areas of legal ethics or legal professionalism. ... 3. Equity, diversity, and inclusivity (EDI) comprise an activity or portion within an activity that addresses standards of conduct in the legal profession related to the recognition, mitigation, and elimination of bias; equal access to justice; and service of diverse populations. Courses should educate lawyers as to the aspirations that surpass ordinary expectations to further promote the ideals and goals of professionalism, including but not limited to: • Recognition, mitigation, and elimination of implicit and explicit bias; • Diversity and inclusion initiatives in the legal profession; and/or • Equitable access to opportunities and resources by identifying and eliminating barriers that face marginalized groups, by acknowledging and understanding ingrained and systemic structural biases in society, and by committing to address these disparities. Marginalized groups include, but are not limited to, groups that are historically underrepresented based on factors of culture, disability, ethnicity, gender and gender identity or expression, geographic location, immigration status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and veteran status." Hope you can join us! Javed Abbas Intake Attorney 303-515-5000 [email protected] www.harrisfamilylaw.com Wisdom, Strength and Peace of Mind Please notify us if you have received this email in error. Comment on Proposed Rule Change I am strongly in favor of the proposed rule change creating a new equity, diversity, and inclusivity CLE requirement. As a white person who has been learning about this subject matter in the past year, I am overwhelmed at all the information I don’t know. Moreover, beginning to learn about lingering systemic injustices and acknowledging the lack of diversity and inclusivity in our institutions has convinced me there is much work left to do. Part of that work should be mandatory training on these issues, which are not readily apparent unless they affect you personally. Our justice system promises equal justice under the law. But the laws are administered, interpreted, and enforced by people. Unless we are given the tools to recognize where we fall short, the people working in our legal system cannot live up to its highest values. I urge the court to give Colorado lawyers the chance to learn about these vital issues, for the good of all. Submitted by: Amy Adams From: Katie P. Ahles To: stevens, cheryl Subject: Proposed EDI CLE Rule Public Comment Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 9:53:27 AM Cheryl, I am writing in support of the proposed EDI CLE Rule to require at least two credit hours in the area of equity, diversity, and inclusivity. As a young female attorney, who began practicing at age 25, I have experienced sexism in my own practice on far too many occasions. I have also been witness to issues of racism. Colorado needs to join the states who have already committed to training attorneys and Judges to be knowledgeable on EDI and cultural competence issues. By taking this small step, we would be setting an important example of all Coloradans and other professions. Thank you for your consideration. Best, Katie Ahles Attorney at Law Hogan Omidi, PC 3773 Cherry Creek North Drive Suite 950 Denver, CO 80209 (303) 691-9600/ Fax: (303) 691-9900 Email: [email protected] Visit us at: http://hoganomidi.com From: Alexander, Rebecca C. To: stevens, cheryl Subject: Comment on Proposed Change to Rule 250.2 Date: Sunday, March 28, 2021 12:27:47 PM Attachments: image001.png Cheryl, I am writing to express my support for the proposed change to Rule 250.2, incorporating a requirement of at least 2 credit hours in the area of equity, diversity, and inclusivity as part of the Colorado CLE requirements for attorneys practicing in this State. As an attorney practicing in “big law” (e.g., first a national firm, and now a large local/regional firm), I am acutely aware of the blissful ignorance that many attorneys live in when it comes to these issues. It is difficult to create opportunities for constructive dialogue on topics such as implicit bias, white privilege, and systemic raciscm. Making topics like these part of our every day lexicon, and part of what we are EXPECTED to understand, will help to alleviate the sense that these topics are only discussed when someone in the room needs to have a finger pointed at them. Every single attorney (person) in this State will either be part of perpetuating the problem, or part of perpetuating the solution – there is no other option (even professed “neutrality” is part of the problem). If we want to address these issues systemically, we need to make addressing them part of the system. I would be pleased to speak on this topic at the hearing on April 6. Rebecca Alexander Rebecca C. Alexander - Member Family Law 633 Seventeenth Street, Suite 3000, Denver, Colorado 80202 Direct: 303.299.8117 | Fax: 303.298.0940 [email protected] | www.shermanhoward.com CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE This electronic mail transmission and any attachments contain information belonging to the sender which may be confidential and legally privileged. This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom this electronic mail transmission was sent as indicated above. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or action taken in reliance on the contents of the information contained in this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately inform me by "reply" email and delete the message. Thank you. From: Alldredge, Jennifer To: stevens, cheryl Subject: CLE Inclusion of equity, diversity and inclusivity Date: Monday, March 29, 2021 8:21:46 AM Attachments: image006.png Dear Ms. Stevens, I hope this email finds you well. This email to comment on the incredible importance of the inclusion of the proposed change to the Colorado CLE Requirement. I strongly believe that the inclusion of “at least two credit hours in the area of equity, diversity and inclusivity,” will bring valuable change to the Colorado bar. Best, Jennifer Jennifer C. Alldredge Attorney at Law 1099 18th Street, Suite 2600 Denver, CO 80202 T: 303-297-2600 F: 303-297-2750 E: [email protected] Web: www.rwolaw.com This electronic mail transmission and any accompanying documents contain information belonging to the sender which may be confidential and legally privileged. This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom this electronic mail transmission was sent, as indicated above. Any disclosure, copying, distribution, or action taken in reliance on the contents of the information contained in this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please delete the message and notify us by calling 303-297-2600 or emailing [email protected]. ************************************************************************************************************************ ANDERSOHN LAW OFFICE, PC Nathan L. Andersohn, Esq. www.AndersohnLaw.com [email protected] Phone (303) 650-6414 11971 Quay Street, Broomfield, Colorado 80020 Fax (303) 429-7574 March 2, 2021 Via E-mail: [email protected] Cheryl Stevens, Clerk of the Colorado Supreme Court 2 E. 14th Ave. Denver, CO 80203 Re: EDI and CLE Dear Ms. Stevens, Continuing Legal Education (CLE) has been an excellent way for young lawyers to gain knowledge in relevant areas of practice and for experienced lawyers to stay on top of new statutes and case law. I do not look to the CBAlCLE to form or develop my social, political, or religious beliefs. To require conservative lawyers to attend seminars based on the extremely liberal views of a minority of attorneys has no place in CLE. Every lawyer has taken an oath that covers the basics of equity, diversity, and inclusivity (EDI). In these challenging times, most lawyers in private practice would prefer and benefit more from seminars on technology and marketing.
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