Dear Colorado Law Alumni,
Over the past year, I have been reflecting on what it means to be a lawyer. I have been thinking back to that oath I took 16 years ago, and what it means in 2018:
I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR . . .
I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Colorado;
I will maintain the respect due to Courts and judicial officers;
I will employ only such means as are consistent with truth and honor;
I will treat all persons whom I encounter through my practice of law with fairness, courtesy, respect and honesty;
I will use my knowledge of the law for the betterment of society and the improvement of the legal system;
I will never reject, from any consideration personal to myself, the cause of the defenseless or oppressed;
I will at all times faithfully and diligently adhere to the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct.
Truth, honor, fairness, courtesy, respect, honesty, and diligence.
I am so proud of the work we all do, for our clients, for our communities, and for the betterment of society and the improvement of the legal system. Over the past year, I have felt great pride that I am a member of this honorable profession. I’ve also felt the weight of responsibility to uphold its ideals. At this moment in time, it seems to me that the norms we take for granted—the careful, diligent, fair, truthful, and honest manner in which we naturally go about our tasks as lawyers—are of more importance than we may realize.
I do not know what the next year holds, but I do know that I am grateful.
I am grateful for Colorado Law. I am grateful for the skills I developed there; for the classmates, alumni, staff, and professors who have become friends; and for the natural bond that somehow seems to develop now whenever I meet a new Colorado Law alumnus. The leadership of our deans, the quality of our students, faculty, and staff, and the engagement of our alumni have all combined to make Colorado Law a more vibrant, intellectually challenging, diverse, and inclusive community than ever before.
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as chair of the Law Alumni Board. It has been a pleasure, an honor, and a privilege to get to know so many accomplished and dedicated Colorado Law alumni.
Would you like to do more to give back to Colorado Law? Contact me or one of our other board members. We’ll be happy to give you suggestions!
Sincerely,
Darla Daniel
Law Alumni Board Chair