Lawyers Teaching for Change: Inspiring the Next Generation of Legal Practitioners
- Isabella Dietrich
- Oct 16
- 3 min read
CWBA members are planting the seeds of possibility for young minds across Colorado through the Lawyers Teaching for Change Program, which was just awarded the Outstanding Program or Project Award by the Denver Bar Association.
Lawyers Teaching for Change provides programming to children in grades 3-5 about the legal system and what it means to be a lawyer. The program aims to challenge stereotypes that lawyers must look, speak, act, or identify in a certain way to encourage children to imagine themselves in the role.
Beyond proving an opportunity for children to see themselves represented, the program also teaches children about the law, their rights, and has them participate in a mock trial to practice their public speaking skills. It is amazing to see how many children come out of their shell due to their excitement about the program, participating in the mock trial in the classroom or later
yelling phrases like “Order in the Court” and “I object” on the playground at recess.
The program utilizes all available attorney volunteers, but always has a need for Spanish speaking volunteers. Program coordinator Judge Melissa Meirink recounted a story from volunteering in a Spanish speaking classroom. The memory was impactful because afterwards a student hugged her and confidently informed Judge Meirink that she wanted to be a judge one day too.
Winning the award from the Denver Bar Association is due recognition for the volunteers passionate about the program. Judge Meirink said: "This award is a testament to their hard work and willingness to engage with students in our community.”
The program hopes to continue providing services to local students to help cultivate a world of possibilities for students and continue to diversify the legal profession into the future.
How to get involved:
The program utilizes two types of volunteer labor: behind the scenes logistics and classroom speakers. The program serves schools in Adams, Arapahoe, Aurora, Boulder, Denver, Douglas, El paso, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties.
The program is always looking to expand to new school districts if members would like to serve as behind the scenes volunteers to help build new community relationships for the program.
If you are an attorney or a judge interested in serving as a LTFC volunteer please contact the appropriate LTFC representative as set forth below:
Adams County: Annie Martinez at amartinez@copolicy.org
Denver & Jefferson Counties: Laura Martinez at lmartinez@fwlaw.com
Arapahoe & Douglas Counties: Judge Vicki Klingensmith at veklingen@yahoo.com
Larimer County: Chief Judge Susan Blanco at susan.blanco@judicial.state.co.us
El Paso County: Jina Koultchitzka at jina@pprbd.org
Click here for an exemplary email to use for school principal outreach and to preview program resources.
Click here for testimony from volunteers and school administrators about their experience with the LTFC
To Join the LTFC Committee: If you would like to work behind the scenes to coordinate volunteer school visits, with school outreach, or to develop mock trial scripts, please contact Judge Melissa Meirink at melissa.meirink@judicial.state.co.us
Congratulations!
Isabella Dietrich is an Associate Attorney at Nexus Family Law Group. Prior to joining Nexus, Isabella was a law clerk in Denver District Court with the Honorable Judge Eric Johnson and interned for Justice Hart at the Colorado Supreme Court. Isabella is a former board member for the CWBA and member of the EmpowHERment and PublisHERs Committee. Isabella attended the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and prior to that attended the University of Iowa for her bachelor's degrees. During her undergraduate career Isabella worked with the University of Iowa to assist in drafting legislation for the university's interests regarding access to mental health resources, higher education funding, and medical amnesty. In her spare time, Isabella enjoys volunteering at community gardens, reading, and needle work crafts.
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