Law Firm Makes Major Investment in Community Economic Development Clinic

Community Economic Development Clinic student participants and Professor Joe McKay (r).

The law and policy firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP has made a visionary and transformative commitment to support the Community Economic Development Clinic (CEDC) at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, which provides pro-bono representation to small businesses, startups, nonprofit corporations and other community-based organizations in the Denver metropolitan area and beyond. The generous gift of $500,000 provides vital funding to support and expand the CEDC’s programmatic initiatives and to fund a companion scholarship available to students participating in the clinic who are dedicated to public service.

One of seven clinics comprising the law school’s nationally recognized Student Law Office – founded in 1904, as the first student law clinic in the nation – the CEDC permits clinical students, working under the supervision of the clinic’s director Professor Joe McKay, to promote economic development and community-based revitalization. In doing so, students learn vital business-related skills, including forming business entities, contracting, navigating regulations and protecting clients’ intellectual property.

“Our history with DU runs deep, and what makes this gift so special is how it reflects Brownstein’s culture,” said Rich Benenson, Brownstein’s managing partner. “This gift honors enduring relationships, reinforces our commitment to supporting our communities and strengthens the pipeline of future attorneys. We are proud to make this gift in recognition of the strong partnership we’ve had with DU for more than 50 years.” 

 “As a proud Sturm College of Law alum and University of Denver trustee, I’m grateful that Brownstein is supporting this clinical program at the law school,” said Adam Agron, JD'98, Brownstein shareholder, former managing partner and member of the University of Denver’s Board of Trustees. “DU’s clinical programs play an important role in developing the next generation of lawyers as well as supporting the community – both priorities that align closely with Brownstein’s values.” 

Founded 1968, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP is a law and policy firm at the heart of many of the most important cases, the most significant deals and the country’s most pivotal legislation with more than 350 attorneys and policy professionals in 14 offices across the U.S. Including this most recent commitment, this is the third major investment the Firm has made in support of the Sturm College of Law, including the Brownstein Hyatt Farber & Strickland Endowed Scholarship and the Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck Endowed Law Student Fellowship Fund.

“Throughout its proud history, Brownstein has made immeasurable contributions to the civic life of our city, the economic vitality of our state and the quality and impact of legal education at the Sturm College of Law,” observed Dean Bruce Smith. “Small businesses play a critical role in the economy of our city, state and nation and are admired more favorably by Americans than virtually any other institution. We are proud to partner with Brownstein to advance economic development and to train the next generation of public-spirited and ethical business and non-profit lawyers.”

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting legal education and expanding access to community-based legal services. For students, it creates more opportunities to work directly with clients and engage in transactional legal work that has immediate, real-world consequences.

It also reflects the level of interest in the clinic itself. For the upcoming academic year, the CEDC received unprecedented numbers of applications for the limited spots in the clinic, underscoring both the demand for this kind of hands-on transactional law experience and the value students place on this work.

Over the past three years, the clinic has supported more than 75 clients, including 35 in the most recent academic year alone. Looking ahead, the clinic hopes to expand from nine students to 18, reflecting both the demand for its services and strong student interest. The Brownstein investment will support continued outreach through workshops and community-based programming.

“The Student Law Office, including the Community Economic Development Clinic, is proud to provide excellent representation to those in our community who often otherwise would not have access to counsel. The Brownstein gift strengthens this mission, and we are grateful for their support,” said Ronald V. Yegge Clinical Director Professor Lindsey Webb.

To McKay, the impact of the gift goes beyond the outputs of the CEDC. “Students in the clinic advise real organizations, each taking ownership of multiple clients. That responsibility builds confidence and purpose, preparing them to enter transactional law as the strongest version of themselves.”

Back row (l-r): Mason Cashman, Ashley Scott, Garrett Freiling, Anya Szentes, Braden Courter, Elena Gifford, and Cesar Montalvo Guerra. Front row (l-r): Mikayla Dietzenbach and Sydney Bruny.