The Colorado Bar Association's Podcast

Joi Kush — The Value of Bar Membership

Colorado native, but child of the military who has lived all over the world, CBA President-Elect Joi Kush always knew that she wanted to be an attorney and represent those who need a voice. In 2014 she joined the CBA YLD Executive Council with the goal of bringing a greater Colorado perspective to the group. Law school may teach students how to think like a lawyer, but often stops short of teaching students how to practice law. That’s where Joi says the CBA continued her education and helped her become a better attorney. Hear about her journey from study abroad to JAG training to finding her path to family law and how the “big bar” (CBA) helped her get to where she is today. Joi also describes the ins and outs of how the CBA works and the value in being a member.

Our Voices — Danny Foster & David Foster

Brothers Danny and David Foster are fierce leaders in the Denver legal community who have built their practice on the philosophy of genuine camaraderie and respect. The sons of a former Colorado state senator and the senior rabbi of the largest and oldest synagogue in the Rocky Mountain region, the Fosters credit the values their parents instilled in them for their shared sense of community, diversity justice, and compassion. Listen to the witty repartee of these brothers as they recount growing up and hear their refreshing advice for others thinking of growing their own legal practice.

Ethics of Modern Lawyering — Being Good Is Easy!

Maybe you’ve heard the myth that in order to ethically represent your client, you must be responsible for their entire case from start to finish. Untrue, says our guest, Jonathan White, Professional Development Counsel and Inventory Counsel at the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel. Not only is modern law representation entirely permitted, it is encouraged by the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct. The reality is that not all clients can afford full scope services. Therefore, many argue that, from an access to justice standpoint, traditional representation is actually the service model that flirts with an ethical gray area. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the Rules of Professional Conduct and explore the many ways Modern Law represents the best of the legal profession.

 

Jonathan White

Lauren Lester

Erika Holmes  

Our Voices — Judge Melina Hernández

Judge Melina Hernández was a magistrate, a family court facilitator, and is now a judge on the Arapahoe County Court. Judge Hernández has served in many roles in the community, and in this energetic interview, Judge Hernández shares her path to the bench and her perspectives on everything from how the light rail can be a forum for forging friendships, to the power of mentorship, the importance of ensuring that our courts meet those they serve exactly as they are, and the importance of language. Her refreshing and open discussion of self-awareness, combined with her insight and appreciation of the differences in all of us, highlights her view of justice, empathy, kindness, respect, and continued improvements to our court system.

Hosts:

Mallory Revel

Linda Moss

 

Guest:

Judge Melina Hernández

 

Continuing the Story:

• ¡Si Se Puede! Webinar Series (CO-CABE)
• Arguello Dream Catchers. Law School…Yes We Can! 
• Colorado Bar Association Leadership Training (COBALT)
• Colorado Women’s Bar Association (CWBA) 

 

Our Voices — Jason St. Julien

The Our Voices inaugural episode takes a closer look at Jason St. Julien, an Assistant United States Attorney in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s office in Denver, Colorado. This renaissance man is a former schoolteacher, minor league baseball player, pianist, and federal court clerk with a long-standing commitment to public service. Jason authored a pivotal June 2020 Denver Post article that serves as a testament of his experience as a Black man in today’s society. Jason sat down with hosts Mallory Revel and Linda Moss to talk about the important people and events that have shaped his path and informed his philosophy.

 

Continuing the story:

 

Denver Post: Jason St. Julien: The unrelenting, frustratingly delicate balancing act of being black

Landmark worldwide for self-growth 

Why Broncos Asst. Strength Coach Anthony Lomando is representing asst. US attorney Jason St. Julien in 2020

Colorado Bar Association Leadership Training [COBALT] 

Modern Law Revolution - Modern Networking

Just like everything else in Modern Law, networking isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Modern networking isn’t just about getting clients, it’s about revolutionizing the way we think about making connections and how those connection-making skills can help us become better lawyers and improve the legal profession.

In this episode, we speak to networker extraordinaire, Karen Masciulli, Director of Legal Talent at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. Karen realized early that she wanted to use her legal abilities to help people. From the time she graduated law school she has worked in academia, big law, and the government helping connect lawyers with opportunities. Now she gives us a peek into all the many ways to network outside of those awkward happy hours. Listen for tech tips, advice both practical and inventive, and some tricks of the trade for Modern Lawyers.

Karen Masciulli

Lauren Lester

Erika Holmes  

Stairway to ATJ - Legal Deserts

How can a person achieve access to justice when there is no attorney to be found? This episode of Stairway to ATJ focuses on the phenomenon of “Legal Deserts,” which exist when there are only a few attorneys to serve a great geographic expanse. Co-hosts Mia Kontnik and Anthony Pereira sit down with Jennifer (Jen) Cuesta from Colorado Legal Services and Julie Katz from Katz Law LLC in Salida to discuss the impact legal deserts have on access to justice. Julie and Jen describe the difficulties of practicing in greater and rural Colorado, as well as how they are working to overcome them. 

 

If you or someone you know needs legal assistance, they can contact Colorado Legal Services by calling the intake number: (303) 837-1321 or visiting their website coloradolegalservices.org.

 

This episode also features Ashley Staab of the CBA in the Pro Bono Corner to discuss the Colorado Lawyers for Colorado Veterans clinic.

 

The episode wraps up with Eyes on ATJ, where Mia and Anthony discuss important and enduring access to justice issues. These include legal bots, justice busses, and more. It’s Our Turn asks attorneys to give back and an easy way to get involved is by completing a profile on Succession to Service.

 

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.

Gettin Legal With It - Linda Chalat - Personal Injury

Linda Chalat began her career with a degree in chemical engineering. Handling hazardous materials during her first job piqued her interest in RCRA law (the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Ultimately, she was inspired to go to law school to better understand RCRA laws and “why they were written so badly.” A self-described math and science nerd, she was delighted to discover the union between the technical and the legal aspects of what she was doing in the realm of chemical engineering.

So what does any of this have to do with Personal Injury Law? Well, it’s all part of the journey to discovering what really makes you tick. When asked how she went from RCRA law to personal injury, Linda says it was “a clear-cut case of love at first sight.”

Linda’s advice to young lawyers: Personal injury practice is rewarding emotionally, but not necessarily financially. At least not in the beginning. But the diversity of cases keeps it engaging.

Linda also has valuable words of wisdom on how technology is now and will continue to impact the practice of law, how to find case management software that is the best fit for you, being a woman in male-dominated industries, and why volunteering is so important and what you can do to help organizations such as Metro Volunteer Lawyers and the Legal Aid Foundation.

 

Modern Law Revolution - Marketing for the Modern Lawyer

In this episode, Erika Holmes and special guest co-host, Lauren Lester, welcome Meranda Vieyra, CEO and Founder of Denver Legal Marketing LLC. With 25 years of experience in the Denver legal market, Meranda specializes in bringing high impact legal marketing to solo and small firms.

As with everything in modern law, marketing is customizable. But that doesn’t mean it should stay exclusively in your wheelhouse. Erika’s philosophy on marketing is go with what feels most natural, but not necessarily what’s most comfortable.

From branding and advertising to building the perfect website and optimizing SEO to identifying your target audience to turning leads into clients, Miranda helps to demystify what marketing looks like for modern lawyers and passes along a few simple ideas to get you started.

Stairway to ATJ - Diversity and Justice

How does race impact access to justice? In our second installment of Stairway to ATJ, we explore how race affects a person’s access to and experience with the legal system. Carey Degenaro kicks this episode off by introducing us to the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project, an organization tackling the eviction crisis and in need of volunteers. Co-hosts, Mia Kontnik and Anthony Pereira, have a compelling conversation with Jes Jones, criminal defense attorney and core organizer for the Colorado chapter of the National Lawyers Guild and Allison Neswood, Deputy Director of Strategic Priorities for the Colorado Center on Law and Policy. Together, we break down how access to justice is connected with diversity, equity, and inclusivity, digging into the structural barriers facing communities in the realms of criminal justice, health care, and public benefits. Jes and Allison share heart-felt stories of perseverance and success.

In this week’s wrap, Eyes on ATJ, we discuss efforts to enhance diversity on the bench, the disproportionate impact of COVID on communities of color, and the ABA’s 21-day racial equity challenge.

If you have a topic you would like to hear about or a program we should highlight, please email us at ATJPodcast@cobar.org.