HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
In this issue
January 2026
Jodi Martin
PRESIDENT'S PAGE 1-3 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 4 PRECIOUS CHILD THANK YOU 4 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT 7-8 JOHN MARSHALL PRO BONO AWARD 9 LEGAL AID FOUNDATION CAMPAIGN 10 LEGAL CLINIC VOLUNTEERS 11 BCBA HOME STUDY 12 CLASSIFIED ADS 13-14 PROFESSIONALISM 15
Thank you for being part of the BCBA in 2025 and the first half of my presidency!I am excited to see what 2026 has in store for our membership, the BCBA, and for the last half of my presidency. As I reflect on 2025, I think of a playground toy from my childhood – that I played on, and was injured by, a lot. It was sometimes known as a merry-go-round or a roundabout (see photo).If there were handrails available, you held on for dear life while the thing spun out of control, and the risks of injury were plenty.When I think of 2025, I really feel like I have been on that ride throughout the year. I can’t deny that every year has a bit of a similar feeling with the inevitable changes in life - the loss and addition of family members and pets, kids growing up and their various milestones, even one’s own aging, in addition to the changes in your professional life. But 2025 felt different and I find myself taking a very deep breath as we end the year. This year included some mostly expected personal life events - my daughter starting medical school, loss and growth in our extended family and friends, a job change for my wife, the kittens continuing to grow, travel, etc. As well as expected professional life events, such as being your bar president, staffing changes and growth at my firm, connecting with new colleagues and not-so-new colleagues, new case challenges, etc.
President's Page
Cover art by Bay Shogrin
download your coloring page Here
But it also included larger unprecedented events that were responsible for spinning the ride faster and more often. There are literally people in masks grabbing people off the street and throwing them in vans, under the guise of immigration enforcement. The military is patrolling our cities. Our immigrant clients, friends, family members, and community are being attacked in words and actions by our government, regardless of their citizenship status. Members of our LGBTQ community are also being attacked and living in fear, including efforts to prevent our transgender community from obtaining medical care and threats to end marriage equality. Nonprofit entities aiding these communities have seen their funding sources impacted, as well as other impediments, in an effort to reduce their ability to meet their communities’ needs. There have also been countless attacks on the rule of law, to include attacks on the Courts, individual judicial officers, attorneys, and law firms. Then there is the extensive federal workforce reduction, as well as the longest federal shutdown in history. Those are just a few of the events that impacted 2025. Many of our BCBA members and colleagues have seen their workloads increase due to some of these events (I have seen it in my own practice from LGBTQ community members). Then there is the U.S. Supreme Court, as their 2025 year has been . . . something (the descriptor differs depending on your political stance). Whatever descriptor you use, there is no question the Court has dramatically increased their use of the shadow docket, deciding cases without full briefing and without oral argument. Who knew that “Calvinball” would emerge as a noteworthy legal term for 2025 – my thanks to Justice Jackson for such a great descriptor and for a reminder of my favorite comic strip. See, National Institutes of Health v. American Public Health Association, 606 U.S. __, 145 S.Ct. 2658, 2675 (2025) (Jackson, J., concurring).
president's page Continued
I love a good ride, always enjoyed the playground, and appreciate an excuse to remember Calvin & Hobbes and their antics. But I start 2026 with the hope that this isn’t another year that feels like one long ride on the roundabout. I am not generally one for resolutions; however, I do believe it is good to start a new year with some good intentions and plans for growth. For me, I intend to: Embrace AI and technology tools to improve my time management and practice. AI won’t be writing my briefs, but there are a multitude of ways AI working with my other technology can improve my clients’ experience, save time, improve processing, etc. Focus on community building in my personal and professional life. As I have mentioned throughout my presidency, it is my belief that by building strong communities we strengthen each other in ways that can improve our own lives and the lives of others. Take time for non-lawyer and non-business related things that bring me joy, such as women’s sports. I am beyond excited, for instance, for the start of the Denver Summit’s (NWSL) inaugural season at the end of March – I already have my season tickets, a little merch, and am counting the days. Embrace change and view it as an opportunity for transformation rather than disruption. Change often becomes an irritant, especially if we are overwhelmed, but I am committed to doing a better job of focusing on change as an opportunity for me to transform and improve. Focus on rooting my work in authenticity, respect, honesty, and kindness. Our careers are demanding of our time, energy, and self. Without love for what we do, it is hard to sustain ourselves in this profession. For me, being authentic, respectful, honest, and kind in what I do is key for loving what I do, which in turn makes it possible to sustain myself no matter how demanding the case, my docket, the business, etc. If 2026 throws events at us like we saw in 2025 (and I anticipate it will), those intentions will not solve the feeling of being on a roundabout, but they will give me something to hold on to, so that I stay on the ride. My hope for all of you as we start 2026 is that you will find your own handholds on the ride. What I remember from childhood is not the feeling of fear or danger, but the loud uncontrollable giggles as we hung on and spun faster than we could ever have imagined possible. I intend to find my uncontrollable giggles, even among the danger, fear, and even tears in 2026. I look forward to sharing those laughs with some of you. We can start with bowling with the BCBA on January 28th – I guarantee my lack of ability is worth a few chuckles. I look forward to seeing all of you in the New Year!
Every Wednesday Bagels with the Bar 8:30 - 10:00 AM @ BCBA Office Free for BCBA Members
Wednesday, January 14 Bagels on the Road 8:30-10 AM at Hutchinson Black and Cook Free for BCBA Members Saturday, January 24 In-Person Legal Clinic 9-11 AM at the Longmont Senior Center Attorney Volunteers Needed Please click here to volunteer Thank you to our current sponsor, COLTAF Wednesday, January 28 Bowling with the Bar 4:30-6 PM at the UMC Connection Lanes at CU Boulder $10 for BCBA members, $25 for nonmembers. Please click here to register Thank you to our sponsor, Fiedler Law Thursday, January 29 Real Estate CLE Webinar: Basics of Oil and Gas for Real Estate Attorneys 12-1 PM via Zoom, 1 General Credit Free for BCBA Members Please click here to register Thank you to our sponsor, Fiedler Law Friday, January 30 EDI CLE Webinar: Disability Rights at Thirty Five 12-1 PM via Zoom, 1 General and 1 EDI Credit Free for BCBA Members Please click here to register Seeking a sponsor, please click here to sponsor Wednesday, February 4 Business Law Section CLE Webinar: Hot Tips for your Business Contracts from Arbitration Experts 12-1 PM via Zoom, 1 General Credit Free for BCBA Members Please click here to register Seeking a sponsor, please click here to sponsor Tuesday, February 10 Family/ADR Law Sections Membership Lunch 12-1 PM at Office Evolution, Louisville Location Free for BCBA Members Please click here to register Seeking a sponsor, please click here to sponsor Tuesday, February 17 NRE CLE Webinar: Water Appeals: A View from the Colorado Supreme Court 12-1 PM via Zoom, 1 General Credit Free for BCBA Members Please click here to register Seeking a sponsor, please click here to sponsor
calendar of events
Carla Sledge Robyn Kube Zak Malkinson Jonathan Rivinus Bay Shogrin Sara Ross Cecil Kennedy Patrick Butler TJ Willard Denean Hill Steve Clymer Brittany Frisbie Brett Landis Jodi Martin Connie Eyster K.C. Cunilio Amy Stengel Mike Kotlarczyk Megan Kondrachuk Star Waring Laura Moore Anna Bond Elizabeth Brodsky Lucy Walker Kathy Grothe Carolyn Steffl Mike & Michelle Rafik Brad Hendrick Andrew Dunkin Care Enichen Mari Bush Lisa Shoemaker Megan Kondrachuk Margaret Schaff Dominick Saia Ann Wilson Carmen Danielson Garyn Flinn Justin C Konrad Ben and the Berg Wilson family Laurel Herndon and the Immigrant Legal Center Star Waring Lex Padilla Erin Pierce Krista Garcia John Chmil
Precious Child gift drive thank you!!!
Your generous donations provided gifts to 77 children this holiday season!
At Colorado Legal Services, we know how precarious life can be for many Coloradans. With high cost of rent and rising evictions across the state, and uncertainty around public benefits, stability could be one financial or family event—a car breaking down, a health emergency—away from dissolving. When that instability is combined with a legal issue, like an eviction, unsafe housing conditions, or a family court matter, the stakes are heightened. For a mother seeking safety for herself and her children, the support of an attorney in court can help ease the immense burden she is facing. For an elderly veteran stripped of his income because of a bureaucratic mistake, getting help correcting that error could be the difference between him being able to stay in his home or being forced out onto the street. For a homeowner whose house may be foreclosed over a family member’s $400 medical bill, legal support could be key. All these examples are real injustices that pervade Colorado communities, including Boulder. They are the same indignities that the attorneys at Colorado Legal Services confront every day through our Boulder office and 11 others throughout the state. Without legal representation, many Coloradans have no choice but to represent themselves sometimes against debt collection or other companies that can afford a team of attorneys. Even when they are right under the law, it is hard to win. This imbalance when facing potentially life-changing outcomes doesn’t allow for a fair chance for justice. But, thanks to the hard work of our team and the support of individuals, pro bono attorneys and volunteers, and organizations like the Boulder Bar Foundation, Colorado Legal Services can stand alongside people in civil court and help give them a better chance at justice. About us Colorado Legal Services is Colorado’s statewide nonprofit legal aid program providing civil legal assistance to low-income individuals and seniors throughout the state. We have a long history in Colorado. This year, we celebrated 100 years of serving our communities. Our 12 offices provide free legal assistance in a broad variety of legal areas. We help those facing housing instability on housing law matters, including evictions, foreclosure, landlord/tenant issues, and others. We help families, particularly survivors of domestic violence and abuse, with civil protection orders, divorce, custody, and guardianship. We support people navigating consumer and debt issues, including bankruptcy, garnishment, collection, repossession, and others. We also represent survivors of crime and trafficking, migrant farmworkers, Coloradans needing tax controversy representation, people who need identification documents, and folks who are facing problems with programs like SNAP, Medicare, Medicaid, SSI, and others. Our focus is to enforce and defend clients’ legal rights to meet their basic human needs, including shelter, safety, food, health, and income. We do that by providing resources, legal advice, brief services or full representation—depending on client needs and our capacity. In certain instances, cases may be referred to clinics or other agencies for additional help. We open nearly 1,000 cases every month statewide.
community spotlight: Colorado Legal Services
Pro Bono and Outreach Coordinator/Paralegal Alisiana Medina, left, and volunteer David Sipora of Boulder at the 100 Year Anniversary event for Colorado Legal Services in 2025. Sipora, who has volunteered for the CLS Boulder office since 2024, was recognized for his volunteer work by the Legal Services Corporation at the event.
Boulder Colorado Legal Services has had an office in Boulder for 48 years. In Boulder, housing and family law cases are consistently the top two categories of cases we take. Our Boulder office, with the help of pro bono attorneys, opens as many as 600 cases a year. But we don’t do it alone. Volunteers, pro bono attorneys, and attorneys who work for a reduced rate are vital to our mission to provide high-quality civil legal services to Coloradans with low incomes. Our Boulder pro bono referral model is extremely cost effective. Clients have access to legal services ordinarily valued at $250 - $375 per hour, and CLS bears none of the cost of support services for the attorney, investing only minimal staff time once the case has been assigned to the private attorney. During 2024, volunteer attorneys provided 10,000 hours of service to CLS and its clients for a value of $223,690. Volunteer paralegals and support staff provided 600 service hours. Law students and interns also offered vital support. The community provided a total value of $1,166,629 of in-kind services to low-income residents. Support our mission Even with such invaluable support and the work of our dedicated staff, there remains a great need for legal aid services. Colorado only has 0.66 legal aid attorneys for every 10,000 eligible low-income residents, which means people are too often unable to find help due to a lack of resources. As we move into CLS’s 101st year of serving our communities, it is with continued focus on our work every day to provide access to justice to as many people as possible with excellent advocacy, empowerment, collaboration, and courage. About 1 in 8 Coloradans qualify financially for CLS’s services. If you would like to volunteer with us or learn more about being a pro bono attorney at CLS, go to www.coloradolegalservices.org/volunteer. You can support Colorado Legal Services by donating to the Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado at www.legalaidfoundation.org/donate or 1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 701 Denver, Colorado 80203. Learn more at www.coloradolegalservices.org.
community spotlight continued
Recognizing Justice, Compassion, and Community Through Volunteerism Jodie Gilbert is being honored during National Pro Bono Week as the 2025 recipient of the John Marshall Pro Bono Award, presented through the Boulder County Bar Association. Colorado Legal Services nominated Jodie for the award. This prestigious award is given annually to a BCBA member who has contributed significant legal services to low-income and elderly Coloradans, helping ensure that those most in need have access to meaningful legal support. From November 2022 through May 2025, Jodie served as a volunteer attorney with the Colorado Legal Services Boulder office, providing compassionate, client-centered assistance in complex estate planning matters. She helped dozens of clients navigate end-of-life decisions and asset protection, and find peace of mind—often as clients were facing serious health or financial hardship. Jodie’s service extended far beyond the legal clinic walls. In multiple emergency situations, she visited clients in hospitals to help them execute time-sensitive estate planning documents. These moments— often marked by crisis, vulnerability, and urgency—were met with Jodie's calm professionalism, legal acumen, and sincere compassion. She ensured her clients’ wishes were protected with dignity and care, leaving a lasting impression on our staff and community alike. Though Jodie recently stepped away from volunteer work, the legacy of her contributions remains strong. Her dedication to equity, service, and human dignity truly embodies the spirit of this award. At Colorado Legal Services, we are committed to providing compassionate, free legal help for lowincome Coloradans and seniors. We believe civil legal advocacy helps keep Coloradans housed, fed, and safe—and volunteers like Jodie are the heart of that mission. Please join us in celebrating Jodie Gilbert—an extraordinary volunteer, a trusted advocate, and a welldeserving recipient of the 2025 John Marshall Pro Bono Award. Thank you, Jodie, for your incredible service!
2025 John Marshall Pro Bono Award
Join the Legal Aid Foundation’s Most Important Campaign of the Year Be a Leader, Compete for Justice, Make an Impact The Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado isinviting firms and corporate legal departments to join the 2026 Associates Campaign and Corporate Counsel Challenge, a month-long, statewide effort to raise $550,000 in support of Colorado Legal Services. Participation is simple but makes a huge impact. The Legal Aid Foundation will provide all campaign tools, including a customized fundraising page and optional engagement events at your office. Teams compete for awards and participants will be recognized at a celebration in April, as well as at region-specific events in Colorado Springs and Boulder. This friendly competition celebrates generosity and strengthens our collective ability to ensure Coloradans facing crises have access to vital civil legal help. To get involved contact Jessie Clark-Daugherty at Jessica@legalaidfoundation.org. The Campaign runs from March 1-31, so be sure to register soon.
Legal Aid Foundation Campaign
thanks to our clinic volunteers
Did you know the BCBA sponsors a Free Virtual Legal Clinic for Boulder County? This started during the pandemic and was so successful we have continued it to help further our commitment to access to justice. To date, we have helped over 1700 community members! We have a small group of incredibly dedicated volunteers who give 15-20 minutes of their time approximately once every few weeks. We would like to get that number to once a month, but we need more volunteers! Can you help with 20 minutes once a month in service to your community? Please let us know that you are available to help once per month (or more!) along with your practice areas. We could not provide this service without all of our amazing volunteer attorneys! Please contact Bay for more information about attorney.participating as a volunteer Please click here to sign up
legal clinic volunteers needed
Mike Rafik 4 calls last month Ugyen Tshering 4 calls last month Howard Berkson 4 calls last month Ben Wilson 3 calls last month Doug Stevens 2 calls last month TJ Willard 2 calls last month Emily Bauer 2 calls last month Ian Barringer 1 call last month Peter Fabish 2 calls last month Michael Travers 1 calls last month Ainigul Holland 1 call last month Jacob Rubenstien 1 call last month Scott Goldstone 1 call last month Jennifer Arnett 1 call last month Jennifer Terry 1 calls last month Jodi Martin 1 call last month Lisa Shoemaker 1 call last month Laurel Herndon 1 call last month David Moorehead 1 call last month Steve Cook 1 call last month julia Morgenthau 1 call last month Alison Gordon 1 call last month Christi Sweeney 1 call last month
A benefit of BCBA CLE offerings moving to webinars is that we are able to record the programs and make them available to view after the live presentation. We also submit the majority of our recordings for home study CLE credit, which allows our members to view them as needed to fulfill the credits needed for their reporting periods. Please see a list of our current home study offerings below, and if there is a program you're interested that you don't see here, the full list of our video recordings is available for BCBA Members only on our Webinars page. If there is a program that is not currently accredited for home study that you're interested, please contact Bay and we can work to get a recording re-accredited.
BCBA Home Study webinars
General Credit Courses Practical Tips for Trying and Settling Probate Cases Presented by Judge Collins, Judge Butler (ret.) and Diedre Braverman Video recording here Course ID# 868285 The Only Constant is Change- Keeping up with Colorado Employment Law Changes Presented by Jake Rubinstein Video recording here Course #866588 Immigration Law for Non-Immigration Attorneys Presented by Brad Hendrick Video recording here Course ID #866905 Domestic Violence: A Community Issue Presented by Jolyn Belk, Sandie Campanella and Shelby Logan Video recording here Course ID #867112 Ethics credit Creating Effective and Ethical Environments for Colleagues and Clients with Intellectual Disabilities Presented by April McMurrey, Zoey Tanner, and Judge Chris Larson Video recording here Course ID# 850525 Moving from Ignorance to Terror: Engagement Letters for Estate Planners Presented by Connie Eyster Video recording here Course ID# 853868 Getting Your Firm's Affairs in Order: Part 2 Presented by Jodi Martin Video recording here Course ID# 838332 EDI Courses Leading Through Generations Presented by Ryann Peyton Video recording here Course #866903 Pro Bono Beyond the Ethics Rule Presented by Brett Landis, Rachel Kunath, Alisiana Medina Video recording here Course #865696 Introduction to Racial Equity: A Lawyer's Responsibility Presented by Judge Dea Lindsey Video recording here Course ID# 847136 A Primer on Disability Advocacy Presented by Franklin Erickson Video recording here Course ID# 853822 Lessons for Mediators from the EDI Roundtable Presented by Melora Bentz and Wesley Parks Video recording here Course ID# 853869
classified ads
Lyons Gaddis Water Law Associate: Lyons Gaddis has an opportunity for an attorney with a proven interest in Colorado water law to join its water team as an associate. An applicant must have experience in Colorado water-related matters, including water court proceedings and water rights transactions, and an ideal applicant would have 4-8 years of legal experience. Depending on experience and qualifications, the salary range is $105,700 to $146,000, exclusive of production bonus and benefits. Lyons Gaddis is a dynamic, growing Colorado law firm offering health insurance, life insurance, 401K match, and more. If you want to join our team, please submit a cover letter and a resume to careers@lyonsgaddis.com (1/31) The Boulder County Attorney’s Office is hiring an Assistant County Attorney I or II: The Assistant County Attorney will primarily work in the following legal practice areas: 1. Dependency and Neglect (D&N/Child Welfare). This position involves handling child welfare cases in Boulder District Court. Responsibilities include drafting and filing motions and other legal documents; conducting discovery; negotiating with other parties; preparing for and litigating a full range of hearings and trials; addressing records requests and subpoenas; and advocating for the best interests of children and families while advancing the state and department’s recommendations. 2. Child support. Child support duties consist of representing the state in proceedings in court as child support obligations are established and modified. It includes advising county staff and preparing them for court. This also encompasses enforcing existing orders through contempt actions or other remedies when payments are delinquent, addressing paternity issues and ensuring compliance with state guidelines to support the financial needs of children. 3. Investigations and Recovery. This role involves representing the county in proceedings related to the recovery of overpayment of welfare benefits. responsibilities may include advising county staff on recovery processes, pursuing administrative or judicial actions to recoup funds, and coordinating with state agencies to ensure compliance with public assistance regulations. See full description here (1/13)
classified ads Continued
Bridge to Justice Healthcare and Food Assistance Legal Advocacy Attorney: This is a grant-funded position funded by the City of Boulder Sugar-sweetened Beverage Product Distribution Tax (a/k/a/ “Sugar Tax”), administered by the City’s Department of Housing and Human Services. Funding has been awarded through December 31, 2027. Under this grant, B2J provides improved access for low-income city of Boulder residents to government healthcare and health nutrition programs and provides legal representation for benefit appeals. The healthcare and food assistance legal advocacy attorney advises low-income city of Boulder clients regarding eligibility and services for Medicaid, Medicare, health insurance, tax credits for health insurance, SNAP, Aid to Needy Disabled and Old Age Pension. The attorney assists clients with applications for benefits when necessary, and when possible provides advice and referrals in a wide variety of civil matters. The attorney assists individuals denied or terminated from benefits in filing appeals and provides representation to negotiate or litigate their appeals. When appropriate, judicial review actions are filed. This is a 0.8 FTE, salaried position with health benefits and paid vacation. This is a hybrid virtual/in-person position with in-person attendance required at the Boulder Homeless Shelter, OUR Center, and other basic needs organizations in Boulder to meet with clients. Attendance at administrative hearings and in court may also be required. Our office is located in downtown Boulder, walking distance from historic Pearl Street and the Boulder Justice Center. Benefits include health insurance, paid vacation, 401(k) match, CLE reimbursement, eligibility for loan forgiveness (PSLF) and loan repayment assistance (LRAP) programs, and the opportunity to work for an impactful and pioneering public interest organization. (See full description and application details here) (1/19)
CLS pro bono corner
Housing Advice
Interested in a Pro Bono case? Please call Alisiana Medina at 970-499-1003. CLE credits available for pro bono service.
Kathleen Franco x2 Brett Landis x2 Jennifer Huston x1 Shana Beggan x1
CLS WILLS CLINICs
January 05 Tim O'Neill 303.682.7292 January 12 Steve Clymer 303.530.2137 January 19 Mike Rafik 303.444.9292 January 26 Gwyn Whelan 303.443.8010 The Professionalism Committee assists lawyers, clients, and other members of the community with questions or complaints about behavior by lawyers that fails to meet generally accepted standards of professionalism and courtesy, or that is contrary to the BCBA Principles of Professionalism. The Professionalism Committee does not address allegations of criminal or ethical violations by lawyers, as regulated by the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct, and any such violations should be addressed to the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel.
David Sipiora x1 Howard Berkson x1
CLS pro bono referrals
CLS pro se volunteers
professionalism on call
Douglas Hamilton x1
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THE BCBA NEWSLETTER IS A MONTHLY ELECTRONIC PUBLICATION BY THE BOULDER COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION. ARTICLES BY GUEST LAWYERS MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE BOULDER COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION OR THE AUTHORS. COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE BY CONTACTING bay@boulder-bar.org OR THE BAR'S WEBSITE www.boulder-bar.org