AROUND THE BAR | BAR NEWS News from the CBA, Local Bars, and More BY JESSICA ESPINOZA Bar News is a monthly compilation of news from the CBA, including sections and committees, administration, and local and specialty bar associations. It also includes notices of activities—past, present, and future—from local and national law-related organizations and groups. James E. Bye Award Terrarium Workshop The CBA Tax Section presented Theodore “Ted” H. Merriam with the 2019 James E. Bye Lifetime On February 20, members had a chance to Achievement Award during the section’s annual Ethics Update at the Brown Palace. The award is create their own terrariums at Birdsall & given annually to a Colorado tax lawyer who has made significant contributions to the practice of Co. Garden Boutique as part of the DBA’s tax law. Merriam has practiced tax law in Denver since 1978 and has taught as an adjunct professor Attorney Wellness Program. The program for the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and Graduate Tax Program. He has been an active hosts monthly activities to celebrate creativity, and contributing member of the CBA Tax Section and the Greater Denver Tax Counsel Association. inclusiveness, and uniqueness within the legal community. 1 1 2 1 Adding the first layer. 2 Voilà! 2 1 Tax Section chair Justin Mills (right) presents the 2019 James Bye Award to Ted Merriam. 2 Ted Merriam with past winners Nancy Crow, Ted Gelt, and John Wilson. APRIL 2020 | COLORADO LAWYER | 51 TITLEAROUND | THESUB TITLEBAR | BAR NEWS Toothbrush Drive ABA Midyear Meeting The DBA YLD sponsored a Toothbrush A delegation from the CBA traveled to Austin, Texas to attend the American Bar Association’s Drive over the winter to benefit Kids In House of Delegates Midyear Meeting on February 12–17. The ABA Midyear Meeting brings Need of Dentistry (KIND). Local-area law leaders together for an in-depth discussion of issues, regulations, and trends shaping the future firms participated in the drive by donating of the legal profession. toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss to the nonprofit organization. EPCBA Celebrates Retirements Judge Daniel M. Taubman of the Colorado Court of Appeals was recognized at the El Paso County Bar Association’s January Lun- cheon for his service as the Court’s Liaison to the Fourth Judicial District since 2014. Judge Taubman is retiring from the Court of Appeals after 28 years on the bench. Also recognized during the lunch was Colorado Springs attorney Bruce Buell, who retired after 61 years in practice this past May. Among his many career highlights, Buell was a cofounder of the Colorado Lawyer Trust Account Foundation (IOLTA) and the El Paso County Bar Foundation. Representing the CBA were Mark Fogg, Scott LaBarre, Courtney Holm, Clarissa Collier, John Vaught, Rebecca Kourlis, Terry Ruckriegle, Joi Kush, Megan Garnett, and Johnnie Nguyen. 1 2 1 Judge Daniel Taubman and EPCBA President Jeff Weeks. CONTRIBUTE 2 Judge Timothy Schutz and Bruce Buell. Bar News is always looking for pictures and descriptions of legal events happening Judge Schutz was an associate attorney throughout Colorado. Snapshots taken with a phone camera work great! To contribute when Buell served as managing attorney. pictures, simply email them to Jessica Espinoza at [email protected], and be sure to select the largest file size when prompted. 52 | COLORADO LAWYER | APRIL 2020 DBA Past Presidents’ Dinner The DBA hosted its annual Past Presidents’ Dinner at the Hilton Garden Inn Union Station on February 18. During the event, past president Franz Hardy (2016–17) welcomed immediate past president Mo Watson into the past presidents’ club. 1 3 2 4 1 Group photo of DBA past presidents. 2 Dan Sweetser, John Baker, Mark Fogg, and Pat Fogg. 3 CBA/DBA Executive Director Amy Larson addresses the distinguished group. 4 Mo Watson receives the past-presidential pin from Franz Hardy. APRIL 2020 | COLORADO LAWYER | 53 TITLEAROUND | THESUB TITLEBAR | BAR NEWS Addressing Sexism in Lawyers with Littles the Legal Profession On February 6, members of the DBA YLD met Young Lawyers On January 30, a panel of women attorneys led at Pints Pub to talk “parenting” as part of the in Action a discussion on sexism in the legal profession group’s Lawyers with Littles series. The casual Sonia Ander- during a CLE at Foster Graham Milstein & gathering was led by Troy Rackham, a father son, a fourth- Calisher, LLP. The panelists spoke about of four and a partner at Spencer Fane, who year associate their personal experiences with sexism in shared his tips on staying sane while juggling at Husch the workplace in dealings with colleagues, professional and family responsibilities. Blackwell, clients, opposing counsel, and judges. The successfully CLE sought to provide both men and women Anderson. argued against strategies for addressing sexism in the legal summary judgment for a pro workplace. bono client in federal court. Her client was a disabled woman in her 80s who was incarcerated. She was at risk for falling when she walked, so she needed assistance with going to the bathroom, getting meals, and taking her medica- tion. The client’s prison facility provided disabled people with aids, fellow inmates who are Panelists Kate Laubach, Heather Salg, and David Coats and Matthew Broderick. trained to provide various Katherine Otto. levels of care to disabled inmates. But for one month, the prison officials refused to provide the client with an aid, which resulted in her missing Denver Regional Mock Trial Tournament meals, not taking her medicine, On February 22 and 23, Denver-area high school students competed in the Denver Regional and not being able to shower. Mock Trial Tournament for a chance to advance to the Colorado High School Mock Trial Chris Ottele was the supervis- Program State Tournament in March. The CBA congratulates all the student participants and ing attorney. thanks the many volunteers who served as attorney coaches, presiding judges, scoring panelists, and courtroom monitors. Contribute Send your stories of young lawyers taking meaningful action in court to Jessica Espinoza at jespinoza@cobar. org. Provide the name of the young attorney; a high-resolution photo of the young attorney; the name of the supervising attorney and/or law firm supporting the young attorney; and a 50- to 100- word summary of the action taken in court. Please keep the descriptions general and do not identify the client. 1 2 1 Presenting a case to the jury. 2 Taking notes. 54 | COLORADO LAWYER | APRIL 2020 TITLEAROUND | THESUB TITLEBAR | BAR NEWS HIGHLIGHT Leading IAALS was an unexpected Writing the Next opportunity for me Chapter of IAALS to help improve key aspects of BY SCOTT BALES our legal system— access to justice, court processes, s the new executive director of IAALS—the Institute for the Ad- legal education, vancement of the American Legal and the regulation System at the University of Den- ver—IA welcome this opportunity to introduce of legal services. myself and to talk a bit about IAALS. From Arizona to Colorado I became executive director in September 2019 after the retirement of Founding Executive learned that achieving systemic reform rarely Director Rebecca Love Kourlis. One of the first occurs through case-by-case adjudication, even questions people ask me is why I chose to join before a state’s highest court. IAALS after I retired from Arizona’s Supreme Leading IAALS was an unexpected oppor- Court upon completing my term as Chief Justice. tunity for me to help improve key aspects of our Joining IAALS was, in some ways, not a big move legal system—access to justice, court processes, for me. Arizona and Colorado are neighboring New IAALS leader Scott Bales. legal education, and the regulation of legal mountain states. Granted, Colorado has bigger services. I’m quick to tell people that I’m not mountains (and smaller deserts) and our shared greater access to legal services. I also knew that “replacing” Becky. She built a great institution border is very short. Becky had assembled a great team at IAALS at IAALS that has sparked real improvements Apart from standing in both states at once because Brittany Kauffman, who leads IAALS’ to justice in Colorado and on a national level. at the Four Corners, my wife and I have other civil justice work, and Natalie Knowlton, who As her successor, my goal is to build on and Colorado connections. She was the daughter directs the work related to family court reforms, honor her legacy by continuing and expanding of an Air Force officer and spent more of her had each spoken at Arizona court conferences IAALS’ impact. childhood in Colorado Springs than anywhere or helped court committees there. else, including graduating from Doherty High I was surprised when Becky told me she What Sets IAALS Apart School. My father retired from teaching at intended to step down as executive director, In its role as a research institution devoted Colorado Northwestern Community College. We but I was intrigued when she asked if I might to improving the American legal system, are both outdoor enthusiasts and have enjoyed be interested in the position. I had greatly IAALS is unique for several reasons. It truly is many vacations in Southwestern Colorado with enjoyed my 14 years as a judge and my 20 years a “think-and-do tank” that combines empirical our children and friends over the years. as a lawyer in private practice (as a partner in research, collaboration among stakeholders, While I love the natural beauty of Colorado, the Phoenix firms that later became Osborn and user-focused design to identify practical that was not what drew me to IAALS. I had met Maledon and Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie) solutions.