On September 13, more than 60 University of Colorado Law School students had the opportunity to meet and learn from distinguished state and federal judges at Colorado Law鈥檚 eighth annual Judicial Appreciation Reception, held at Wheeler Trigg O鈥橠onnell in Denver. Judges in attendance included four of the seven Colorado Supreme Court justices and judges from four state trial courts.
Hugh Gottschalk (鈥�79), the firm鈥檚 president, warmly welcomed the 85 attendees and introduced Dean S. James Anaya, who thanked the judges for their service and explained the benefits of clerking for judges, both during law school and after graduating.
Other judges to address the group included Magistrate Judge Kristen Mix (鈥�85) of the U.S. District Court, District of Colorado, Justice Melissa Hart of the Colorado Supreme Court, Judge Susan Blanco (鈥�03) of the 8th Judicial District Court in Fort Collins, and Judge Patrick Butler of the 20th Judicial District Court in Boulder.
鈥淚t鈥檚 wonderful that CU has found a way both to recognize judicial officers and to encourage new law students to consider the benefits of clerking. Listening to and speaking with students about their futures is one of the most rewarding things I do. I am grateful for the opportunity and for the warm welcome from students, faculty and administrators,鈥� Mix said.
鈥淚 really appreciated the opportunity to hear from and meet members of the judiciary,鈥� said first-year law student Sydney Read (鈥�21). 鈥淚t was a great introduction to the Colorado legal community during my first month here at Colorado Law.鈥�
聽鈥淭he Judicial Appreciation Reception is a terrific way for Colorado Law students to learn more about career options in the judiciary and meet distinguished judges from throughout Colorado,鈥� said Todd Rogers, assistant dean for career development. 鈥淲e are grateful to Wheeler Trigg O鈥橠onnell for recognizing this value and for generously sponsoring the event for the last seven years.鈥�
Colorado Law ranked 28th nationally for the number of graduates working in judicial clerkships in 2017. Twenty-eight 2017 graduates accepted judicial clerkships; two with federal courts, 14 with state appellate courts, and 12 with state trial courts.