SBA Elections
President: Leonela Urrutia
Each SBA member is expected to serve on two committees. Which of these would you be most interested in serving and why?
The two committees I am the most interested in serving are, diversity and community outreach.
Diversity committee has become an essential committee over the past two school years. There is a need within the law school to support students from diverse backgrounds and diversity committee is the committee that has been working to advocate for that. I have served as the chair of the diversity committee for the past two school years and we as a team have been essential in funneling the diverse perspective into conversations about grading changes, the bar prep program, the mandatory dismissal policy, and so many other initiatives led by SBA. I believe that this committee has so much potential to do so much more.
Community outreach works to ensure that SBA is keeping a positive line of communication with the community. This committee’s goals are to foster community, be the voice for students, and carry out events that students want. I would want to continue serving in this committee because it reminds me that even when life is super busy, we need to dedicate time to build a strong community especially during these unprecedented times.
Ultimately, SBA President is a member of every committee. Therefore, if elected, I look forward to working with chairs who have a passion for the committees they serve and strive to make the law school a more inclusive space for every student.
Have you had any experience with advocacy in the past? Do you have any experience creating surveys or analyzing survey results?
I do have experience with advocacy and with working with surveys. I have been active in advocating for the changes the law school since my first year.
In my first year of law school, I quickly realized that diverse students needed more support and that there are many things that we can do as a law school community to support them. I took these concerns to SBA where the president assigned me as the chair of the diversity committee. This is where my advocacy efforts in law school started. I hosted a round table with fellow diverse students where we discussed how the law school could improve and what changes we can make together. This then snowballed into forming an alliance with all the affinity groups and other diverse communities to advocate for changes. Today, we meet with Dean Smith frequently each semester to continue working on achieving our goals for a more inclusive law school community.
When our school shut down because of COVID, me and other members of SBA knew that we had a duty to help our fellow students. We quickly organized ourselves to ask for input from students on how they were feeling and whether they would like a pass/fail option. As a team, we were able to effectively advocate for pass/fail. We knew that our work wasn’t over, it was just beginning. Throughout the year I have helped with creating surveys, organizing the results, and communicating the results of that survey to the deans of the law school.
Our work is far from over, and I hope that in this upcoming year we continue to work collaboratively to tackle those issues.
What is one word you would use to describe yourself? What is one word a friend would use to describe you?
One word I would use to describe myself is, resilient. One word a friend would use to describe me is, intrepid.
What student organizations have you noticed and/or interacted with? What about their events did you find appealing?
There are so many wonderful student organizations active on campus who always put on events that are unique and add so much value to our community. Due to the nature of my involvement, I tend to gravitate towards the affinity groups. For those of you who do not know, affinity groups create a community for students from underrepresented backgrounds. I love attending that are conversations about the intersection of law and identity. When I can I also try to attend events that different organizations put on that spark my interest.
What is the last book you read?
I have to be honest because of law school I haven’t had much time to read outside of reading for class. I’ve become much more of a Netflix girl, so let me know if you want some television series recommendations. However, the last book I read/am currently reading was written by one of my good friends and our law school classmate, Mason Quiñones. Mason’s book Youth is a collection of poems centered around five themes: consciousness, roots, yearning, curiosity, and realizations. His poems have resonated with me and has made me reflect on my life and how its shaped me into the individual I am. 10/10 recommend, go check it out!
Personal Statement
I want to be your SBA President because this school year I have learned that community and support are, more than ever, two of the most important things to succeed in law school. Together we have worked to support our students in whatever they may need and build a community during this time of social distancing. These times are difficult, and we will see the effects of this global crisis for many months and years to come. The work we have put in this year needs to continue next year. Therefore, as SBA President, I promise to continue to advocate for students and help foster a community within the law school.
The most important task we have to tackle first is making sure that our students are finding the resources they need. Whether it be financial aid, academic help, or mental health resources, these need to be accessible for all students to use. As President, I hope to continue meeting with the deans of the law school to gather information about the needs of my classmates and find solutions to the problems we face.
Additionally, I will advocate for SBA funds to be funneled back to the students by providing more SBA sponsored scholarships. This year SBA successfully opened their book scholarship to students and last year we worked to provide bar funding to 3Ls. These are initiatives that we need to continue to support and even create more to address the different needs of our classmates. However, these SBA funds only put a band-aid on the issues our students have faced, therefore I will continue to advocate for long term solutions.
Diversity is important to me. I am a first-generation American and law student. I have first-hand experience on the difficulties our community of diverse students face. I have advocated passionately and will continue to carry that passion with these initiatives. This is a team effort and there are so many passionate, talented, and hardworking students that I am eager to continue working with to achieve the goals we have put forth such as diversifying our faculty, recruiting more diverse students, providing academic support, and fundraise money for more scholarships.
As a fellow classmate, I know that being in law school is hard enough and adding a global pandemic to the mix is not making anything easier. I encourage each and every one of you to continue voicing your concerns and letting us know what you need. I hope you trust me as your SBA President to continue to be a leader on campus and catalyze the changes that will better our law school experience. Wishing you all the best!
Vice President: Jamie Greenwood
Each SBA member is expected to serve on two committees. Which of these would you be most interested in serving and why?
As a current 1L Senator, I already have experience with the Community Outreach, Health & Wellness, and Social committees. I have been involved in the planning, creation, and execution of various events and exposed to the leadership responsibilities that being a committee head requires. I recently became the head of the Community Outreach committee and would be thrilled at the opportunity to lead it again next year. Similarly, I would like to be involved in Health & Wellness and Social once again.
Have you had any experience with advocacy in the past? Do you have any experience creating surveys or analyzing survey results?
While completing my undergraduate degree at Northeastern University, I founded a March For Our Lives chapter to empower and mobilize student-led advocacy around the topics of gun violence, social justice, and political action. As such, I have experience bringing attention to important issues, advocating for better systems, and vocalizing my beliefs. This includes both creating surveys and analyzing results. Furthermore, my experience as the 1L Senator this year has exposed me to specific issues present at Sturm and a firm understanding of the channels I would need to take to tackle them in the future.
What is one word you would use to describe yourself? What is one word a friend would use to describe you?
I would describe myself as ambitious. Similar to many students in law school, I feel a deep commitment to myself to always strive towards being my best. I think my friends would describe me as outgoing, as I am generally talkative and very curious about other people’s thoughts and experiences.
What student organizations have you noticed and/or interacted with? What about their events did you find appealing?
I am a member of the Law Student Ambassadors and have truly enjoyed the sense of community I feel at the events hosted so far. Although we are not in person, there have been a few networking events and Zoom cocktail hours that have simulated the feeling of meeting new people, laughing, and socializing really well. In a pandemic era, that is invaluable. I look forward to finding more organizations that can evoke that sense of community.
What is the last book you read?
I read “The Girl in the Mirror” last month and just, wow. Such an entertaining read with many plot twists, akin to “The Girl on The Train,” “Gone Girl,” or “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” But maybe I just have a book type?
Personal Statement:
I am running for the position of Full-Time Vice President because I believe I have the experience, skills, and passion to serve in an executive role that empowers the students of the law school. As a 1L Senator this past year, I have been exposed to the inner workings of both the Student Bar Association and the law school as a whole. As such, I have been involved in hosting school-wide events, communicating with Deans and Professors, and implementing new policies and ideas. This experience has provided me with a firm understanding of the channels and resources that exist to best serve the student body. In a pandemic era, having access to these channels is beyond crucial. My goal as the Vice President of the SBA would be to streamline communication among students, the school, and our various external resources so that we, as law students, have as much support as possible to succeed. Speaking from personal experience, burnout and stress can feel horribly overwhelming and having a clear idea of who and what at Sturm can work towards alleviating that burden is imperative to improving mental health. My concern as a representative of the student body is first and foremost our positive well-being, and I will work tirelessly as the Vice President to achieve that.
Part-Time Vice President: Edward Bowden
Each SBA member is expected to serve on two committees. Which of these would you be most interested in serving and why?
Too Long; Didn’t Read: Part-Time and Finance committees to benefit the part-time program.
First would be the part-time committee, one newly created that should help with communication, assistance, and balancing life/work/school (life first). More on direction and goals there below. Second is the finance committee, not only should I assist the transition to the next treasurer, but keeping a part-time voice in the finances means increasing the accessibility of programs and student organizations by enforcing the newly updated provisions which require consideration of part-time students in fund use.
Have you had any experience with advocacy in the past? Do you have any experience creating surveys or analyzing survey results?
TL;DR: Yes, and I’ll continue to use that experience for the part-time program.
I’ve done my best to advocate for my classmates in this program and my clients in public defense work. My work and my SBA work have a common theme, helping others navigate stress and struggle. One of the ways I’ve tried to do that is with the surveys this question asks about. I am pretty data driven, so when the pass/fail issue arised early 2020 I created a Condorcet poll for my cohort’s preferences. I took that data and argued to the SBA, I also took that data to the Dean and stressed the importance there. Since then I have been happy to see the SBA take up more polling. More communication is great, though I will also note that we also need to focus on person-person and direct individual feedback, especially as COVID subsides.
What is one word you would use to describe yourself? What is one word a friend would use to describe you?
Pragmatic. I try my best to work hard and work smart, recognize my limitations, and make step-by-step improvement both personally and around me. To me that doesn’t mean going full robot, it also includes care and compassion, which can be cultivated and spread through action.
Stressed. Haha. That is fairly universal for law school though, so I think one that sticks out to me is being described as a good listener. I’d like to think that means more empathetic/understanding than silent-type, I do strive for the former.
What student organizations have you noticed and/or interacted with? What about their events did you find appealing?
TL;DR: Not much interaction, we need to make those organizations more accessible to part-time students.
I have noticed many but have not interacted all that much. I don’t think that’s uncommon in the part time program, which is all well and good when/if we are too busy, but really problematic when it is lack of opportunity/access to student organizations. Some part-time students, including myself, have been rebuffed by student organizations that we approach asking for greater flexibility, sometimes a bit rudely amid an erroneous belief that “part-time” means we have more time. Ha!
Those misconceptions, a lack of part-time schedule consideration, and especially the COVID limitations have really shut down opportunity to participate. Those barriers need to be addressed, hence my updates to the finance regulations to require part-time representation in an organization receiving significant funds and to jump start organization funding post-COVID to bring our school back together and running.
What is the last book you read?
TL;DR: Woman Lawyer: The Trials of Clara Foltz. Good Omens.
Casebooks aside, I’ve just finished reading “Woman Lawyer: The Trials of Clara Foltz”. She broke barriers amid women’s suffrage as the first female lawyer on the West Coast, fought to allow people, rather than the historical and statutory “white males” to serve on juries, vote, own businesses, etc., and most relevant to my current and future practice, was essentially the founder of the Public Defender movement/profession a whole 70 years before Gideon made it law. Truly remarkable and worth a read. The last non-law book I read was Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. In the shortest of summaries, an angel and a demon with an odd friendship take a liking to humanity and try to avert the apocalypse. Strong recommendation, great as a lighter read for summer break. Yes, apocalypse novels are far less stressful and lighter than International Shoe.
Personal Statement
TL;DR: Increase flexibility with requirements, engagement with orgs./clinics, and certainty with grades/schedules.
I want to help our cohort, other part-time cohorts, and future ones. I think I am one of the best people to do so. That isn’t because I think I’ll be great at all facets of this job, will be able to give it all my time, or achieve every goal and radicalize the part-time experience. I won’t. What I can do is broaden the reach and responsiveness of the SBA where the part-time program is concerned, push for more inclusiveness/opportunity/time to engage with student orgs and school events, try to bring people together, and surround myself and SBA with smart, dedicated, and skilled people. Much of this will be through that Part-Time Committee I mentioned above. Any part-time student can join that committee, not just SBA members. Let me know at ebowden23@law.du.edu and I’ll get you joining/meeting info. No obligations. Attend committee meetings regularly, just one off, for a minute or two for a question, or just hang out and listen. That info will be promoted later too. With that committee I have a few items I’d like to pursue:
- Provide more weekend class options and push for earlier release and certainty of class scheduling.
- Explore and expand options for part-time experience-based credits, such as externships, clinics, and research.
- Expand part-time participation in and availability of student organizations and school events.
- Increase flexibility with full-time work schedules where possible, such as the COVID test type and deadline which I was happy to help with.
- Increase part-time social events, especially as COVID subsides. Shout out Alejandro but also beyond the local bar. Love that too though.
These are just my initial main areas of focus, with a committee it will be easier to see what larger concerns (and what specific ones that may not otherwise be heard) there are and those should be pursued first. So again, email me with suggestions, complaints, interest, etc. That holds true w hether I end up Part-Time Vice President or not. If you made it here to the end of my diatribe then I’m quite astounded, I’m a bit long winded and you are a trooper. I appreciate you. While I’m at it (and as this is my last opportunity to project it onto the Sturm website) I appreciate this whole part-time program, especially my cohort (I’m biased and its earned), because as time breaking and soul degrading as this can be, it has been an absolute privilege and weekend joy to learn alongside you all. I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, but resilient, kind, and clever the lot of you. And the parents, new ones especially, it truly blows me away. Incredible. And through a pandemic on-top of it all, whew. I think it’s only upward from 2020 though, and we can make it so.
Cheers,
-Edward
Secretary: Cerridwyn Nordstrom
Each SBA member is expected to serve on two committees. Which of these would you be most interested in serving and why?
I believe that the Diversity committee and the Health and Wellness committee are two of the most important committees for supporting the student body right now, and those are the committees I am most interested in. DU has had significant issues with retaining diverse students, and right now the diversity committee is really needed to try and combat this, while working to create a more equitable space for diverse students. Projects they have done, such as the townhall, are really important to making sure that student voices are heard and that there is better communication between the administration and students. The wellness committee feeds into this need, because they have focused heavily on dispersing surveys and compiling data on student needs. I believe that all SBA committees are important, however, with the current needs of students being impacted this semester, the Diversity and Health and Wellness committees are most crucial to helping alleviate the impact of the pandemic on the student body. Long term, I am sure the focus on these committees will change but for right now these are the committees I would like to focus on.
Have you had any experience with advocacy in the past? Do you have any experience creating surveys or analyzing survey results?
As a Blind person, I have had to advocate for myself almost constantly. This is a skill that I have been able to apply to my college career and to my time at the law school. Because of this, I have dedicated my life to advocacy and have had a lot of experience advocating within a university setting. During my undergraduate degree I was heavily involved in my student government, helping to oversee 55 million in student fees. While in that position, I represented the Disabled Students office and helped to allocate funding in order to better support disabled students within the university. I also was accomplished in the first and only successful impeachment of a student body president at my university. The president at the time was spending student fees without proper approval of the organization and sexually harassing women in the office. The impeachment took 12 weeks, 147 pages of evidence, and was by far one of the most difficult experiences I have experienced. But this experience also helped to solidify my dedication to advocacy and my commitment to social change. While at the law school, I have continued to be involved in organizations such as National Federation of the Blind and the National Association of Blind Lawyers, advocating for equal access for Blind and disabled people.
I also have experience in creating and analyzing surveys. I used them during my undergraduate degree and have helped with compiling information while in SBA. Most recently, I helped to compile and summarize questions to be used during the townhall.
What is one word you would use to describe yourself? What is one word a friend would use to describe you?
A word that I would use to describe myself is driven. My drive has allowed me to get to where I am now. I lost my sight at the end of high school, and my drive helped me overcome and perceiver in order to gradate undergrad and attend law school. When I am passionate about something, I will do everything in my power to achieve my goals, particularly when it comes to civil rights and social justice. I would consider my drive and determination to be one of my greatest assets, and to be one of my most important strengths. It has allowed me to overcome the hardships in my life and has allowed me to be able to advocate more effectively.
One word that my friends would use to describe me would be unwavering. In my advocacy, I am a huge proponent of intersectional activism and I believe that advocacy that is exclusive or exclusively focused does not enact the change it is trying to achieve, and actually helps to uphold systems of marginalization and oppression. My moral conscious is one of my greatest assets and one of the motivators that pushed me to attend law school. I have been and will always support the individual not entities, and I believe that advocacy within the university for and on behalf of the student body requires this kind of mentality in order to make change.
What student organizations have you noticed and/or interacted with? What about their events did you find appealing?
Though much of my focus has been on SBA during my time at DU, I am also in the First-Generation Law School Alliance and Denver OUTlaws. However, I have never been attached to only attending specific student organization events and tend to jump around to events that interest me. Prior to COVID, attending speaker luncheons was always my favorite. It allowed for students to hear about different work that is happening in the community, and allowed for networking opportunities with people doing the specific fields that students want work in. Since COVID, this has changed a bit, because the natural ability to network has been removed, however for me, these events allow for a glimpse into the work that is still being done during the pandemic and has allowed me to learn about areas I would not have considered. Recently, I attended a talk about personal injury work and how it intersects with civil rights work, hosted by CDO and the Student Plaintiffs Bar.
What is the last book you read?
Because of my sight, reading in the classic sense isn’t something I really do for fun anymore as I rely on text to speech to access my books and listening to a computer talk for longer than a couple of hours at a time is mind numbing. That being said, the most recent book I “read” was American Gods by Neil Gaiman, narrated by George Guidall. It is one of the best books I have read in a long time, and I have yet to watch the show version.
Personal Statement
I am running for 3L senator because I want to positively impact the struggles of the student body in regard to the ongoing issues around the pandemic and the lacking support for diverse students. Having experienced law school prior to the pandemic, and now experiencing the constant setbacks during the pandemic, I want to help create real, tangible solutions to support students both in person and remote. The rising 3L class has had a unique experience in that though we had 1 full semester of normal law school, we have spent more time attempting to learn during the pandemic then we did during normal times. This has greatly affected the ability of 3L students to network and has impacted the quality of the legal education experience. We have missed out on numerous law school traditions and relationships, and this has made it difficult for many students to thrive in this space. Compounded by the law school specific struggles, the pandemic has had negative effects on the financial stability, mental health, and overall wellbeing of the student body. Creating solutions to provide relief to students struggling both at school and at home will be one of my main focuses.
My other focus is advocating for students from diverse backgrounds. Historically, law schools were not created to be inclusive or diverse spaces, and though diverse students exist in this space, the law school has continued to uphold systematic barriers to the success of marginalized students. Though there have been strides made in trying to create a more inclusive and equitable space for all students, this is still an area in which the law school is lacking. As a Blind student, I have noticed a significant lack support for disabled students. Disability is rarely, if ever, acknowledged or discussed in “intersectional” conversations around law and advocacy, and this results in disabled students and the disability experience remaining unseen within the law school. I have also personally witnessed explicit acts of toxic behavior towards students from diverse backgrounds from both students and staff and have noticed little action taken by the university in order to prevent this kind of behavior or rectify it once it has occurred. My goal in running for SBA is to help facilitate conversations and advocate for diverse students through an intersectional focus, while using my position to elevate concerns in order to find real solutions.
ABA Delegate: Abby Schwarz
Each SBA member is expected to serve on two committees. Which of these would you be most interested in serving and why?
The two committees I would like to serve on include American Bar Association and Social. If elected as the SBA Delegate to the ABA, I would likely be heading up the committee and work alongside current committee members to be the go-between with the ABA and also coordinate networking opportunities with the ABA. As a current member of the Social committee on SBA, I would like to build upon the work accomplished this academic year with growing the followers on SBA’s Instagram account as well as events for Denver Law students. I helped organize the virtual mystery this past fall and am hoping that in-person gatherings will be allowed next fall — if so, I have plenty of experience planning events large and small and would love to bring that to the student community.
Have you had any experience with advocacy in the past? Do you have any experience creating surveys or analyzing survey results?
As a part-time 1L senator this year, I have advocated for students during COVID. Specifically, I helped with a fall semester survey that went out to part-time students in late November. I also assisted with pulling relevant feedback that was used in a presentation to the administration and faculty.
In my “day job” (I currently work full-time), I manage a team of 10 full-time employees and am often advocating for them when it comes to various policies and expectations that are introduced by the higher ups within the organization. For instance, I recently advocated for a teammate to get a raise and promotion as a result of their Q4 efforts that went above and beyond what most of her colleagues — she deserved every extra dollar as well as the title change.
What is one word you would use to describe yourself? What is one word a friend would use to describe you?
Fair
What student organizations have you noticed and/or interacted with? What about their events did you find appealing?
The DU Law Film Society (DULFS) was recently approved as a student organization — I am interested to see what events they are able to organize in the coming months; not only because I enjoy films, but this is a COVID-approved and interesting way to learn together. The Student Trial Lawyers Association (STLA) is on my radar as well, since I am interested in trial advocacy and have an interested in pursuing a career as a litigator. I have yet to participate in a mock trial competition as a part-time student, but it is something I plan to do as a full-time student this coming academic year.
What is the last book you read?
For professional development, I recently re-read Essentialism. As a part-time law student with a full-time job, I am always looking for ways to prioritize and be careful in selecting which projects for which to take. If you get nothing else from the book, the below illustration says it all. Would you rather be overpromising and underdelivering or under promising and over delivering in your day-to-day?
Though I haven’t yet mastered the art of Essentialism, it’s a great resource during a hectic semester!
Personal Statement
Law school is challenging. Attending law school while working full-time is also challenging. Attending law school while working a full-time job is extremely challenging!
My first year as a law student has not gone as-planned for so many reasons—though I’m not alone in those sentiments, I have a unique perspective that makes me an ideal candidate for a second year on SBA in a more prominent leadership role.
Humility is one thing I have gained in abundance over the past last two semesters. This is not just because I had been out of the classroom for close to 20 years, but I also came to terms with the fact that in order to experience success, I have to work at it more than others. As a 1L, I had to learn how to read more carefully and spend time processing information before and after class, but I have also built up the stamina to make it through weekend classes—yes, we part-time students meet on Saturdays and Sundays. It certainly did not boost my ego to hear fellow 1L’s talk about their extensive legal background or experience working alongside attorneys, judges, or members of the legislature; more than a few times have I questioned whether or not I belong in law school. However, after finals were over, I received a very encouraging note from one of my professors: “I want to personally congratulate you on doing very well. I know that you worked really hard in this class and it certainly paid off.” Maybe I am not the smartest or most accomplished person in the room, however I do have the work ethic and drive to continue to be successful in law school. If allowed to serve a second year on SBA, I would approach my fellow students, the Denver Law faculty/administration, as well as the ABA with an appropriate level of humility and empathy.
Managing people has taught me many things before law school and as a law student. This includes the art of providing constructive feedback and how telling people those hard things can actually build trust. In my “day job” as a regional lead, it’s important that I identify areas for my team members to improve and deliver that message in a way that empowers that individual and builds a connection between us. I approach each member of my team with respect and curiosity, always holding space for them to share their challenges and let me know how I can better advocate for them. Over the past year during COVID, I had the unique opportunity to find creative ways to support my team while their work hours and salary were reduced for six months. That included coaching two people out of the organization —which, in the long run, was beneficial to the company and the individuals— and obtaining additional resources for other teammates who exceeded expectations during a difficult time. As a go-between with SBA and ABA, I look forward to navigating professional relationships with the same spirit of respect and curiosity by building trust through high-stakes moments.
Although I love my job and the company for which I work, I am planning to close that door and matriculate into the full-time JD program this fall. After 11+ years, it’s time to take the next step and invest in my second (possibly third?) career as a lawyer. I don’t think anyone’s experience this academic year has been typical in any way, however as a part-time student tethered to a job, I feel like I’ve missed out on more than a few opportunities afforded only to full-time students. Beyond a more rigorous course load, I look forward to gaining legal experience through externships, both in the public and private sector. I also plan to participate in the Denver Law Clinic in spring 2021, focusing on defending low-income clients in eviction cases. Finally, I hope to be more active in more Denver Law activities, including Moot Court, Student Trial Lawyer Association competitions, and play a more integral role in the Student Bar Association. Just like Pinocchio wanted to be a “real boy,” my wish is to be a “real law student” come this fall. As the SBA Delegate to the ABA, this would include working closely with the ABA and law students to create networking opportunities so we can feel more connected to each other after more than a year of shelter-in-place or some version of it.
The 2021-22 academic gives us all much to look forward to, and I am (dare I say it?) excited for what next fall brings. Not only am I taking a big leap of faith in quitting my job and going to school full-time, but I hope to serve another year on SBA, this time in a more forward-facing role. We are all missing a sense of belonging and community as Denver Law students. I would love to play an active role in bringing law students and practicing members of the legal community together. And I especially want to serve the student body in order to improve the current student experience and help those who don’t have work experience in the legal field upon which to lean for future career opportunities.
2L Senator: Gabby Gile
Each SBA member is expected to serve on two committees. Which of these would you be most interested in serving and why?
I am currently on the Elections, ABA and Diversity committees on SBA. I would love to continue to be a part of these committees in the future. ABA was very effected by the pandemic so I would love to a part of bringing back to life in the next term. At this point I do not have much experience with elections as well because I am a new member, but I would love to do more work within that committee to gather interest in SBA and help turn out the vote.
Have you had any experience with advocacy in the past? Do you have any experience creating surveys or analyzing survey results?
I have been a member of student government at both my undergraduate university and now as a 1L senator in SBA. In both of these roles I served as an advocate for student needs and concerns within the organizations and to the administration of the university. As a member of the diversity committee and as a representative of my 1L section I have created and analyzed survey data to better advocate for the needs of law school students.
What is one word you would use to describe yourself? What is one word a friend would use to describe you?
One word I would use to describe myself is compassionate. When approaching student concerns, I try and look at them with a compassionate lens in order to understand where they are coming from and how I can best assist them. One word a friend has used to describe me is an advocate. When I receive feedback or hear about issues, I always raise them to the proper persons at the university to get an answer for the student. I would never want a student voice to go unheard.
What student organizations have you noticed and/or interacted with? What about their events did you find appealing?
I am a member of LLSA, and I have really appreciated how that student organization has supported me academically and emotionally my first semester of 1L. I have also heard amazing feedback about the Outlaws work in the school and the events they have set up for their members.
What is the last book you read?
The last book I read was Ta-Nehisi Coates, Between the World and Me. Highly recommended for anyone doing anti-racism work or looking for book from another cultural lens.
Personal Statement
I would like to be a representative for SBA on behalf of my class to advocate for the quality of education we receive from DU Law. During my time in SBA, I have supported my fellow law students to address their concerns about their academic performance and how the academic policies of the law school are affecting their future success. There is a lot of work to be done in this area in order to promote a more transparent and student first approach to academic policies and university structure. SBA is an organization uniquely situated to work as a liaison between students, administrators, faculty, and staff to created the best learning environment possible for law students. As a 2L senator my goal is to use survey data and peer-to-peer conversations to provide targeted feedback for the law school and to support students academically.
2L Senator: Camille Moore
Each SBA member is expected to serve on two committees. Which of these would you be most interested in serving and why?
I want to serve the Diversity and Community Outreach committees. For the Diversity committee, I want to continue the programs and work that SBA has done to foster an inclusive environment that makes students of diverse backgrounds feel as though we aren’t alone in a new environment—that DU will be there with us every step of the way. For the Community Outreach committee, I believe that serving on the committee is an opportunity to foster the relationship between DU and the surrounding communities and alumni of DU.
Have you had any experience with advocacy in the past? Do you have any experience creating surveys or analyzing survey results?
In the past, I was a community canvasser for two organizations. The organizations were Fund for Public Interest, and Work For progress. The core of the canvassing organizations was centered around advocating for the community through legislation that would help aid people in the present day and the future. Due to my past experience as a canvasser, I do have experience with analyzing survey results.
What is one word you would use to describe yourself? What is one word a friend would use to describe you?
I describe myself as resilient because I will stay the course and make sure I see through what I have started no matter the roadblocks that may come. My friends have described me as compassionate, because of my genuine empathy for people around me and my dedication towards making the world a better place for us.
What student organizations have you noticed and/or interacted with? What about their events did you find appealing?
Of all the student organizations at DU, BLSA (Black Law Student Association) has been an organization I have noticed. The variety of events has appealed to me and is the reason I plan to get more involved in the organization. The organization truly connects with the community around DU: through them, there are opportunities to do community outreach, talk to high school students, and connect to lawyers and students from similar backgrounds.
What is the last book you read?
Across the Bridge by John Lewis. I grew up admiring him and his story. He was a former civil rights leader and United States Representative who always said “you should get into good and necessary trouble” to fight for what you believe in.
Personal statement
I want to participate in SBA on behalf of my class because I want to advocate to improve the health and human connection of my class. I want to continue the momentum of the amazing work SBA has done, such as their work with helping the curve be adjusted from being on a curve of a 2.7 to instead of a 3.0. In this era of pandemics and visceral isolation, I want to face issues like Zoom fatigue, and the lack of genuine connection with our fellow peers and professors the way we once could. As such, my term goals are 1) to advocate for more than 3 wellness days during the spring semester if we are not going to have a spring break and 2 wellness days during the fall semester , 2) for more opportunities to foster relationships between students in one’s section, 3) to have more events centered around health and wellness over the weeks leading to finals that allow for law students to have events where students can interact outside of an academic setting where they can destress, and 4) to facilitate more interactions between current students and alumni.
Part-Time Senator: Kelly Lotterhos
Each SBA member is expected to serve on two committees. Which of these would you be most interested in serving and why?
Health and Wellness – As a single mom with a full-time job, I understand how to make health and wellness work for busy law students. I can help develop programming that is meaningful and accessible.
Elections – Fairness and transparency matter to me. I want to engage people to make SBA elections valuable and inclusive.
Have you had any experience with advocacy in the past? Do you have any experience creating surveys or analyzing survey results?
During my graduate studies, I conducted research related to Populism in Latin American politics and relied heavily on survey data from citizens of several Latin American nations (Venezuela, Argentina, and Chile)
What is one word you would use to describe yourself? What is one word a friend would use to describe you?
Fair
Kind
What student organizations have you noticed and/or interacted with? What about their events did you find appealing?
STLA – I enjoyed the opportunity to practice real legal skills in a semi-competitive environment and learn from the upper-level coaches. The learning and mentorship opportunity helped me realized my natural talent for public speaking.
I am VERY excited for the virtual cooking class with Professor Aviel on Monday. What a brilliant way to engage students and professors! Food is such a powerful tool to build community and I would love to see more opportunities for students to interact with professors and colleagues outside of the classroom.
What is the last book you read?
My daughter and I are reading the Harry Potter series together. We just finished Harry Potter and Half-Blood Prince.
Personal Statement
As a working parent, I represent the perspective of many part-time students. There are unique challenges to pursuing a JD while maintaining a work-school-family-life balance. I want to participate in SBA to present this perspective and represent part-time and full-time students who are similarly situated. I am committed to DU’s values of equity, diversity, and inclusion. I would like to see my part-time division colleagues feel the same sense of community and connectedness that I have gained. We all desire connection and that has been supremely difficult this year. I would like to help SBA support students in creating a compassionate community that continues to connect into our post law-school careers.
Part-Time Senator: Charles Early
Each SBA member is expected to serve on two committees. Which of these would you be most interested in serving and why?
I would be most interested in serving on Health & Wellness and Elections. Health & Wellness calls to me because of the need for increased attention to mental health in every aspect of student life, perhaps especially for part-time students who are already juggling exceedingly busy schedules. The Elections committee is a personal interest to me because I am fascinated with how people choose their representation and how those choices are presented to them.
Have you had any experience with advocacy in the past? Do you have any experience creating surveys or analyzing survey results?
I have been a paralegal in a plaintiff’s law firm for going on 8 years. I have helped bring more than a half dozen cases to trial and helped to bring dozens more to settlement. More recently, I advocated on behalf of the 1L part-time program to resolve an issue regarding COVID testing.
What is one word you would use to describe yourself? What is one word a friend would use to describe you?
One word to describe myself: Perseverant
One word a friend would use to describe me: Determined
What student organizations have you noticed and/or interacted with? What about their events did you find appealing?
Being on campus only on weekends, I have not had a lot of interaction with student organizations. It can be difficult for part-time students to engage with the student orgs, but I do have friends and classmates in several organizations including OUTLaws, and the Student Cannabis Bar Association.
What is the last book you read?
Technically the last book I read was “Writing to Win” by Steven Stark. The last book I read that was not for school was “A Memory of Light” by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson.
Personal Statement
I am interested in SBA to advocate on behalf of all part-time students. I believe the experience of part-time students is unique and more challenging than the full-time program because of the ever-changing demands placed on students who both work full-time and attend law school. In speaking with classmates, I believe part-time students feel excluded from many of the programs intended to benefit all students, but which are delivered on days/times when part-time students are unable to attend. I would like to be a voice to the SBA on behalf of the part-time students to work for greater inclusion, representation, and consideration during the planning and delivery of programs intended to benefit all students.
As a student with a disability, I want to advocate on behalf of all students whose law school experience is necessarily different from that of their more able-bodied classmates.
As part-time student with a family, I want to be a voice for those students with children, spouses, and extended families that place unique and challenging needs on their time.