The Colorado Bar Association's Podcast

Our Voices — Keith Smith

Raised speaking Navajo to age 5, Keith's determination and innovative planning to overcome early school ridicule and labeling were signs of things to come in his remarkable life. His three rules for success continue to serve him well. Keith now represents Native clients and Navajo employers. He specializes in federal Indian Law. From reading shampoo labels so he could pronounce English syllables in 2nd grade, to making check-off lists for his path to law school, Keith's story is a voice of unassuming inspiration.

Stairway to ATJ — Race and the Child Welfare System

How does a parents race affect his or her experience in the child welfare system? This episode of Stairway to ATJ explores the child welfare system from the perspective of parent advocates. Co-hosts Mia Kontnik and Anthony Pereira speak with MJ (Director of MJ Consulting Firm), and Mike Boyce (Law Office of Michael Boyce) about ATJ issues in and surrounding the child welfare process.  MJ and Mike discuss their experience working in the system and projects they are working on to address inequities in the system.

This episode also features Jennifer Eyl from Project Safeguard in the Pro Bono Corner discussing all the work they provide to those in need.

If you have a topic you would like to hear about or have a program or issue you want to discuss on Stairway to ATJ please email us at ATJPodcast@cobar.org.

 

Ep 2: Limited Series for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Guest Anne Lee

As a follow up to the first installment featuring founders of APABA Colorado and SABA-CO, Nicoal Sperrazza speaks with Anne Lee, Immediate Past President of APABA Colorado, to discuss APABA Colorado today and what it has looked like this past year during the pandemic and amidst a racial justice crisis.  Nicoal also gets to learn a little more about Anne personally: what led her into law as a second career, how she managed law school with two littles and husband who travels for work, and her legal experience in big law, in-house, and at the Attorney General’s Office.

Our Voices — Nicoal Sperrazza

Nicoal Sperrazza is a solo practitioner and is an active leader in the legal community. In this interview, Nicoal shares what led her to the legal profession through personal stories of growing up as a first-generation Korean American and the struggles with bridging the gap between two different cultures. Her interview also highlights the power of inclusivity and the importance of community.

Ep 1: Limited Series for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Nicoal Sperrazza sits down with a few AAPI pioneers in our legal community, Paul Chan, Fay Matsukage, and The Honorable Neeti Pawar, to talk about founding and forming the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Colorado (APABA Colorado) and the South Asian Bar Association of Colorado (SABA-CO).  In this podcast, they also discuss the importance of diversity, fellowship, mentorship, leadership, and what you can do to help support the AAPI community.

 

Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Colorado

 

South Asian Bar Association of Colorado

 

Gettin Legal With It — John Gleason and Ethics in the Legal Profession

John Gleason’s practice emphasizes legal and medical ethics, regulatory and administrative matters, as well as standard of care in legal matters, and ethics issues in business or government. He is also an adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

 

Mr. Gleason served as Regulation Counsel for the Colorado Supreme Court from 1999 until his retirement in 2013. As Regulation Counsel he managed an office of the Supreme Court responsible for the regulation of Colorado attorneys and magistrates.

 

In 2013 the American Bar Association Center for Professional Responsibility selected Mr. Gleason for the Michael Franck Award. The Franck Award is the highest honor bestowed annually to one recipient whose career commitments in legal ethics and lawyer professionalism demonstrate the best accomplishments of lawyers.

 

In 2013 the Arizona Supreme Court selected Mr. Gleason for the court’s Award of Merit for his work as Independent Bar Counsel in the prosecution and disbarment of former Maricopa County District Attorney, Andrew Thomas. The widely publicized case is regarded as one of the most significant lawyer discipline cases in history.

In August 2015 the ABA Center appointed Mr. Gleason as Chair of the ABA/CPR Policy Implementation Committee. The Policy Implementation Committee focuses on the implementation of recent revisions to the Model Rules of Professional Conduct and the Model Code of Judicial Conduct, the policies of the Multi-jurisdictional Practice Commission, and other models and policies developed by the ABA Center for Professional Responsibility.

Mr. Gleason is a member of the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Inn of Court.

Our Voices — Tariq Sheikh

Growing up, Tariq Sheikh was one of those kids who never stopped asking questions – you know, the kind who asked his babysitter to show him where in the Bill of Rights the text says it doesn't apply to children.  As Tariq found his way to law school and settled into professional life, he developed a passion for the justice system.  Today, Tariq works as a Senior Chief Deputy District Attorney in Jefferson County.  In Tariq’s journey through life, he has found that his most rewarding role is serving and engaging from a place of authenticity.  Join us on this episode of Our Voices to learn about how this curious kid grew into an advocate for taking a holistic, humanizing approach to the prosecution of justice and encouraging those around him to do the same.

Modern Law Revolution — Modern Mindset for Modern Law: The Power of Believing (Part 2 of 2)

In our last episode, we explained the power that a positive mindset can have on your law practice and on your life in general. Today, we dive even deeper into how a positive mindset can build psychological capital (PsyCap). Psychological capital refers to a set of resources a person can use to help improve their performance on the job and their success. It includes four different resources – self-efficacy, optimism, hope, and resilience.

We’re excited to welcome back guest Martha Knudson, Executive Director of the Utah State Bar Well-Being Committee for the Legal Profession, who shares insights and technics on how we can build up our mental strength, handle stress, and become more flexible and, hopefully, happy.

Our Voices —Bryon Large

Bryon's leadership path in the LGBT Bar Association and the CBA began with his early volunteer work for Metro Volunteer Lawyers and Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network. In law school and beyond he realized the value of mentors and maintains those valuable relationships today. His grandfather succeeded at always being the fun old guy in the room, remains his greatest influence. Bryon's dedication to service and helping the legal profession and the people affected by our justice system is a constant in his life.

Our Voices — Sheldon Spotted Elk

Sheldon Spotted Elk is a proud member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and a judge in the Ute  Indian Tribal Court of Appeals. Sheldon was always "coded" by his last name. His stories of loss and the importance of being a friend and being of service to others while retaining your identity and integrity are rich. His Indian heritage permeates his story.