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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Resources
The FFA has identified the following resources that might be useful in assisting FFA members in their efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusivity (“DEI”) in the practice of law. This list of resources is offered to assist FFA members in connecting with attorneys and law students from diverse backgrounds; identifying resources for access and accommodations for clients, witnesses, and others; providing legal referrals and identifying volunteer opportunities to promote access to federal legal representation; finding guidance and other materials identified by Colorado’s federal judges; and obtaining continuing legal education. The FFA has summarized below each organization’s mission as provided by that organization.
Colorado’s Diversity Bar Associations:
Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Colorado
APABA’s mission includes representing the interests of the Asian Pacific American (“APA”) community and attorneys; advocating for the interests and ideas of APA attorneys in Colorado; promoting professional growth and opportunities; presenting educational programs; and providing fellowship opportunities and a communication network among its members.
Colorado Hispanic Bar Association
CHBA’s mission is to serve as the legal advisor to the Hispanic community and as a catalyst in expanding the number of Hispanic attorneys. CHBA serves its membership through continuing legal education and professional development. CHBA serves the Hispanic and Latino community through pro bono legal representation and public policy efforts. CHBA is an affiliate of the Hispanic National Bar Association.
Colorado Indian Bar Association
CIBA is a professional organization of American Indian lawyers, law students, and practitioners of Indian Law.
Colorado LGBT Bar Association
The Colorado Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (“LGBT”) Bar Association is a professional association of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender attorneys, judges, paralegals and law students and allies who provide an LGBTQ presence within Colorado’s legal community.
Colorado Women’s Bar Association
CWBA’s mission is to promote women in the legal profession and the interests of women generally. The vision of the CWBA's founders has resulted in decades of work promoting gender equality in the legal profession, preserving history, influencing legislation related to women and children, mentoring, granting scholarships for women law students through the CWBA Foundation, fighting discrimination, influencing the selection of judges, and providing training and education.
Sam Cary Bar Association
SCBA was formed in 1971 to create a self-help group to promote professionalism and serve as a vehicle for the exchange of ideas among African-American lawyers. SCBA provides an opportunity to build relationships, support the legal community, and learn about the history and future of African American attorneys in Colorado.
South Asian Bar Association of Colorado
SABA-CO is a non-profit organization whose mission includes the promotion and advancement of South Asian attorneys and law students by way of professional networking, mentoring, and education. SABA-CO is the local chapter of the South Asian Bar Association of North America.
Center for Legal Inclusiveness
CLI’s mission is to advance diversity in the legal profession by actively educating and supporting private and public sector legal organizations in their own individual campaigns to create cultures of inclusion.
Colorado’s Law School Diversity Student Groups and Outreach Organizations
University of Colorado Law School
Student organizations at CU Law School include:
· Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA)
· Black Law Students Association (BLSA)
· Christian Legal Society
· Jewish Law Students Association (JLSA)
· LatinX Law Student Association (LLSA)
· Military Law Society (MLS)
· Native American Law Students Association (NALSA)
· OUTLaw
· Spanish Speaking Law Students Association
· Women’s Law Caucus (WLC)
· Woman of Color Collective (WoCC)
University of Denver Sturm College of Law
Student organizations at DU Sturm College of Law include:
· Asian Pacific American Law Students’ Association
· Black Law Students’ Association
· Christian Legal Society
· DU Women’s Legal Coalition
· Jewish Law Students Association
· LatinX Law Student Association
· Middle East and North African Law Society
· Military Law Society
· Muslim Law Students Association
· Native American Law Students Association
· OUTLaws
· Parents Attending Law School (PALS)
· Part-Time Professional Student Alliance
· Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of DU Law
· Spanish Speaking Lawyers Association
· Student Veterans of America
Arguello Dream Catchers | LAW SCHOOL…Yes We Can (Sí, Se Puede)
LAW SCHOOL…Yes We Can is a law school pipeline program in Colorado that targets high-achieving college freshmen from diverse backgrounds and mentors and trains them for four years. It was founded by U.S. District Court Judge Christine M. Arguello of the District of Colorado.
MixDIP - Judge Mix Dream Team Diversity Internship Program
This program places diverse students in fall semester internships/externships with federal, state, and local public sector organizations across Metro Denver. It was created by U.S. Magistrate Judge Kristen L. Mix of the District of Colorado.
Disability Accommodations and Access:
U.S. District Court – Accommodations and Access
The Court’s website describes the accommodations provided by the Court, including:
· Sign language interpreters and other appropriate auxiliary aids and services to participants in federal court proceedings who have deafness, hearing impairments, or other communications disabilities
· Wheelchair accessibility to and within the Arraj and Rogers courthouses
· Braille signage in the elevators
· Dedicated Mother's Rooms for nursing mothers in both the Arraj courthouse (on the 3rd floor) and Rogers courthouse (located on the 1st floor).
Non-English Language Interpretation
The Court’s website describes the language interpretation services provided by the Court. For language interpretation services not provided by the Court, the website provides a link to the American Translators Association to find a list of certified interpreters.
United States District Court’s Civil Pro Bono Panel
The Civil Pro Bono Panel Program was adopted by the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado and consists of volunteer attorneys who are willing to represent individuals of limited financial means (not strictly limited to the indigent) in civil matters whenever requested by the Court. The Faculty of Federal Advocates provides reimbursement of costs (not fees).
Federal Pro Se Clinic
The Colorado Bar Association Federal Pro Se Clinic assists unrepresented litigants in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. The clinic helps to prepare complaints and responsive pleadings, provides assistance with other common pleadings, answers procedural questions, and explains legal concepts such as jurisdiction, venue, and service of process. Its focus is on civil procedure – navigating the court system.
Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network
RMIAN provides representation to low-income men, women, and children in immigration proceedings.
Guidance and Other Materials Identified by U.S. District Court Judges:
“The Use of Implicit Bias Jury Instructions: Taking Steps to Educate Jurors About Unconscious Bias,” By The Honorable Christine M. Arguello & John Michael Guevara, Esq., Faculty of Federal Advocates, Winter 2020 Newsletter.
Continuing Legal Education
The Colorado Supreme Court adopted rules and regulations for all Colorado attorneys to complete continuing legal education (“CLE”) related to equity, diversity, and inclusivity (“EDI”). An activity can be accredited for EDI CLE credit if it “addresses equal access to the legal system; competent representation of diverse populations; or the recognition, mitigation, or elimination of bias in the legal profession or the legal system.”