Pipeline Working Group
CLI Colorado Pipeline Initiative:
Identifying and defining reasons underlying the declining rate of law school applications
among historically underrepresented students, and mobilizing the Colorado legal community to inspire the
next generation of diverse students to choose the law as a career.
The Pipeline Working Group is analyzing the reasons underlying the declining rate of law school applications among students of color, as well as why other professions are attracting more diverse students. They are mobilizing the legal community to engage in activities that will encourage young diverse students to choose law as a career. Learn more about the array of activities of this group - from one-time special events such as the special interactive session with Justice Sotomayor to ongoing broad community involvement with CLI's Dream Teams.
The Pipeline Working Group is chaired by U.S. Magistrate Judge Kristen Mix and Barry Burns.
Becoming A Lawyer - Learn More
Learn more about becoming a lawyer by viewing this PDF with links to videos from Colorado attorneys. The information covers/includes:
- Videos from several local attorneys who speak about why they became a lawyer and what they do as lawyers
(To view videos, click on links to the attorney's names .) - Steps To Get To Law School
- What to do while in high school and information about college
- What to do while you are in college
- What Is Law School All About?
- What Do Law Schools Consider?
- Steps To Get To Law School
- The LSAT
- Picking a Law School
- Non-Traditional Paths To A Legal Career
- Long-Term Earning Power
- How Much Does Law School Cost?
- How Do I Pay For Law School
Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor Visits Denver
On August 26, 2010, CLI, in conjunction with the University of Denver Sturm College of Law (DU Law), hosted an event featuring the newly-appointed United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. She spoke to hundreds of Denver-area middle, high school, college, and law students at DU Law school. CLI's Board of Directors and other dignitaries from the legal community were also in attendance. Students participated in a fascinating Q&A session where they asked Justice Sotomayor probing questions. She spoke about overcoming many barriers to success in her career and inspired students to work hard to achieve their dreams. Watch the Justice Sotomayor event on C-SPAN. View the photo gallery.
1L Welcome Reception
The Pipeline Working Group sponsors an annual reception welcoming diverse first year students from the University of Colorado Law School and the University of Denver Sturm College of Law to the legal community. The 5th annual reception was hosted at Reilly Pozner LLP on August 29, 2011. View the photo gallery from the 2011 reception.
Dream Teams
More than 75 attorneys, law students, and legal professionals have joined five teams anchored by federal and state judges: Colorado Supreme Court Justice Alex Martinez, Chief U. S. District Court Judge Wiley Daniel, U.S. District Court Judge Christine Arguello, U.S. Magistrate Judge Kristen Mix and U.S. Magistrate Judge Craig Shaffer. The Dream Teams visit colleges and universities on the Colorado Front Range and have "adopted" one of the Denver Public high schools that are implementing Urban Debate League Teams. Dream Teams regularly reach out to younger students as well. Learn more about the Dream Teams.
If you are interested in joining a "Dream Team" to volunteer a few times a year (i.e. going into schools to talk about careers in law, participating in workshops or classes with students, advising mock trial or Urban Debate League Teams), please contact Joanna Abijaoude, Program Coordinator at jabijaoude@legalinclusiveness.org.
Denver Urban Debate League
CLI's Dream Teams provide support to DPS High Schools participating in the Denver Urban Debate League (DUDL). Over 100 mostly diverse high school students are participating in policy debate tournaments each month that culminate with a state championship in March each year at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. In 2009, the two top teams competed at the national tournament in Chicago. Read an article about the DUDL that was published in the September 2011 issue of The Docket.
Hire a Local Teen for a Summer Internship
CLI has partnered with Goodwill Industries and the City of Denver to provide summer work experiences for Denver-area students. You can participate by hiring a student as a summer intern. Help give students interested in the law the hands-on professional experience they need. Read more about the Goodwill program and who to contact, by clicking here. Read more about the City of Denver's Bridges to Work program by clicking here.
Denver Bar Substitute Teacher Program
The Denver Bar Association has a new program for attorneys to volunteer as substitute teachers in Denver Public Schools classrooms. For information about the program, open the Classroom Information and The Docket article.
