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CWBA Lawyers Teaching for Change Program

   

The Colorado Women’s Bar Association developed its “Lawyers Teaching for Change” program with the goal of increasing the number of diverse students that enter the practice of law.


The program brings attorney volunteers into the classroom to teach students about the practice of law in hopes of increasing the number of diverse students that enter the practice of law. The program is currently active in Denver, Jefferson, Arapahoe, Douglas, and Larimer Counties (with plans to later implement statewide).

Who does the program serve?

The inaugural program is designed to be used for grades 3-5. (Additional programs are in development.)

How does it work?

The course is designed to be a two-day course (does not need to be consecutive), with volunteers spending approximately 1.5 hours each session in the classroom, or the sessions can be combined into a one-day session for approximately 2.5 hours.

  • Session one is a lesson on the practice of law.
  • Session two is a mock trial.
  • The program is flexible, such as by combining both session into one day, or only doing the classroom lesson or the mock trial). 
  • Volunteers are given all of the materials necessary to implement the program and can connect with a school of their choice (though volunteers are encouraged to consider the diversity goal of the program when selecting schools).

GET INVOLVED!

If you are an attorney or a judge interested in serving as a Lawyers Teaching for Change volunteer, or school personnel interested in having a volunteer host the program at your school, please contact the appropriate Lawyers Teaching for Change representative as set forth below:

Denver & Jefferson Counties: Laura Martinez at lmartinez@fwlaw.com

Arapahoe & Douglas Counties: Judge Vicki Klingensmith at veklingen@yahoo.com

Larimer County: Judge Susan Blanco at susan.blanco@judicial.state.co.us


Click here for an exemplary email to use for school principal outreach and to preview program resources.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: A VOLUNTEER'S EXPERIENCE

"In 2021 I volunteered at Knapp Elementary, a Denver Public School. First, I contacted the principal via email (I found his name on the internet and called the school to obtain his email address), explaining our program and asked him to provide my contact info to any teachers who would be interested in having me present in their classroom (see the sample email above).

I received emails from two teachers who were interested in having the program presented in their classrooms. One of the classrooms was all virtual, and another attorney volunteer (successfully) handled volunteering in that classroom. I presented in the 'in-person' classroom. To arrange a specific day, the teacher provided me a few days and times that worked on her end, and I responded with my selected days and times. I was not required to complete a background check. I was required to wear my mask in the classroom (I was not required to show proof of vaccination, but I volunteered before vaccinations were available to the general public).

A few days before my scheduled first day in the classroom I sent the teacher the mock trial materials and asked her to assign student volunteers to play the parts in the mock trial, and noted that the mock trial would be done on my second day in the classroom. I also advised the teacher that each student would need a copy of the script and asked her whether she wanted me to bring copies for each student, or whether she would provide them (she provided them). Last, I told the teacher that I planned on playing two scenes from the movie My Cousin Vinnie. I provided her links to the scenes and asked her whether she was able to arrange audio/visual equipment for this purpose (her classroom had the necessary equipment).

My two days in the classroom were consecutive. On my first day in the classroom, I followed the Classroom Guide (in your packet). The kids were very engaged and had a lot of questions. The second day, for the Mock Trial, I used the SpongeBob Script. It went well and quicker than expected (It took closer to an hour rather than the anticipated 1.5 hours). The experience was extremely rewarding and I look forward to doing it again."


Laura M. Martinez


CALENDAR





GET IN TOUCH

Colorado Women's Bar Association

P.O. Box 1918

Denver, CO 80201

Telephone: (303) 831-1040

Email: execdir@cwba.org



THE ADVOCATE   
 SPRING 2023

VOL. 45, SPECIAL EDITION


The Colorado Women's Bar Association is not a law firm and nothing on this site constitutes legal advice. 

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