Board of Directors
The business and transactions of the Association shall be managed and conducted by the Board of Directors.
The President
- The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association.
- The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association or its Board of Directors, and, in general, shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and all other duties as from time to time may be assigned to the President by the Board of Directors.
- The President shall execute all contracts on behalf of the Association except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent of the Association or where the President shall authorize said signature.
- The President shall appoint from the members of the Board of Directors a liaison between the Board of Directors and each Specialty Committee authorized by these Bylaws.
- The President shall assign to one of the other Directors or the Executive Director the following duties and responsibilities:
- Maintain a registry of members of the Association.
- See that the reports, statements, certificates and all other documents and records of the Association required by law are properly kept and filed.
The Vice President
- The Vice President shall assist the President and perform such duties as are delegated to the Vice President by the President. In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall preside at all meetings of the Association or its Board of Directors.
- The Vice President shall be primarily responsible for planning and staging of the CDLA Annual Conference.
The Treasurer
- The Treasurer shall:
- Review the status of the finances as kept by the Executive Director or other person or entity designated by the Board.
- From time to time render a statement of the condition of the finances of the Association at the request of the Board of Directors.
- In general, perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer, and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to the Treasurer by the Board of Directors or by the President. The Treasurer may be required to give a bond for the faithful performance of the Treasurer’s duties in such sum and with such surety as may be determined by the Board of Directors.
- The Treasurer shall be responsible for organizing the Executive Committee’s oversight, planning and presentation of the Annual CDLA Board Meeting, including setting and enforcing the budget for the Association.
The Secretary
- The Secretary shall:
- Review the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors as kept by the Executive Director in books provided for that purpose and ensure that the minutes of the meetings are kept.
- Conduct an annual review of the Association's Bylaws with the Vice President to ensure the Bylaws properly reflect the action of the Board of Directors in the previous year and to ensure the Bylaws are in conformance with the stated purpose and conduct of the Association. This review by the Secretary and Vice President shall occur one month prior to the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors in September or each year so that the Board of Directors may review and vote upon any changes to the Bylaws that are recommended by the Secretary and Vice President at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors in September of each year, or as soon thereafter as may be practical.
- See that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law.
- Be custodian of the records and of the seal of the Association.
- In general, perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as, from time to time, may be assigned to him/her by the Board of Directors or by the President.
- The Secretary may assign any of the enumerated tasks with the approval of the Board of Directors.
Directors
- The Board of Directors shall be comprised of the Officers of the Association and the Immediate Past President, and:
- At-Large Directors. Two Directors At Large shall be elected for a term of two years beginning and ending at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors in September of each year. The senior At-Large Director shall be responsible for running the Trial Academy. The junior At-Large Director shall assist with the Trial Academy. The terms of the At Large Directors shall not be concurrent. One At Large Director shall be elected per year.
- Greater Colorado Director. A Director who resides in the Southern Colorado (Colorado Springs/Pueblo) or Western Slope region shall be elected to serve for a term of two years beginning and ending at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors in September of each year. His or her duties shall include organizing and promoting two or more CLE events per year and acting as an ambassador in promoting the goals of the Colorado Defense Lawyers Association throughout the Southern Region and Western Slope of Colorado.
- DRI State Representative. A Director shall be elected to serve as the State Representative to the Defense Research Institute ("DRI"). The Director will serve for a term of three years beginning and ending at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors in September of each year.
- Legislative Director. A Director shall be elected to serve a term of two years beginning and ending at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors in September each year. He or she will be responsible for all legislative policy and action of the Association and to act as the chairperson of the Legislative Committee.
- New Lawyer Director. A Director shall be elected to serve a term of two years beginning and ending at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors in September of each year. He or she will act as the chairperson of the New Lawyers Committee of the Association.
- Racial Justice, Equity, and Diversity Director. A Director responsible for all Association diversity and inclusion activities shall be elected to serve a term of two years beginning and ending at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors in September of each year. The Diversity Director will cooperate with other Colorado bar associations, law schools, and non-profit organizations to promote the Association's ideal of inclusiveness in the law.
- Community Outreach Director. A Director responsible for the fundraising and philanthropic activities of the CDLA Foundation shall be elected to serve a term of two years beginning and ending at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors in September of each year. The Community Outreach Director is charged with budgeting for the Foundation as well as arranging both fundraising actions and delivery of our offerings for the benefit of the community.
- Professionalism and Education ("P&E") Committee Director. A Director responsible for overseeing the Professionalism and Education Committee shall be elected to serve a term of two years beginning and ending at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors in September of each year. The P&E Committee Director shall coordinate the actions and communications of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee with each P&E Committee substantive committee chairperson, with the assistance of the Vice-President.
- Amicus Director (newly formed 10/1/24, pending detailed description)
The Directors outlined above shall all be elected pursuant to Article IX, Elections. The number of Directors may be increased at any time by a majority vote of the whole Board of Directors. The number of Directors may be decreased at any time by a majority vote of the whole Board of Directors, except that no decrease in the number of Directors shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent Director or violating the terms of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation.
The President shall have the authority to appoint a member of the Association to act as an Ex Officio Director to serve on the Board for a period of two years beginning and ending at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors in September of each year, provided that appointment is approved by the vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors. Ex Officio Directors shall have voting rights, shall otherwise participate in all obligations and duties of the Board members, and shall complete any assignment assigned them by the Board. The President shall not have the authority to appoint more than one Ex Officio Director in any given year unless authorized by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.
Each Director shall have one vote. The Board of Directors may make such rules and regulations covering its meetings as it may, in its discretion, determine necessary.
Upcoming Events
New Lawyer Boot Camp - being held at Hall & Evans
December 10, 2024, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
This is a full-day learning experience targeted at new lawyers or those in their early years of practice. The program is offered FREE for those who have been members of CDLA for 3 years or less and yes, this is live and in person! For that reason, we are limiting the participants to 30 on a first-come/first-serve basis.
To Learn More and to Register, Click Here
When Worlds Collide: The Intersection of Attorney Malpractice and OARC Investigations
Presented by Katherine Otto and David Beller, Recht Kornfeld
December 12, 2024, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Guidance on how to mitigate risks of malpractice claims, avoid attorney grievances, and practical advice if you find yourself on the wrong end of a proceeding. Presenters will also address the intersection of the Rules of Professional Conduct in both areas.
To Register, Click Here
Effective Written and Oral Advocacy with Colorado Supreme Court Justice Richard L. Gabriel
1 hour CLE approved
December 13, 2024, 12:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Hear from Colorado Supreme Court Justice Richard L. Gabriel on his tips for persuasive writing and effective oral argument at both the appellate and trial level stemming from his 15-plus years on both of Colorado’s appellate courts.
To Register for the Webinar, Click Here
Time Management, Communication, & Organizational Skills
Presented by Kerry McCarthy, COLAP - 1 hour ethics applied for
December 17, 2024, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Avoiding burnout in a demanding environment is difficult. Learn how to leverage time management, communication, and organizational skills in your favor. This presentation introduces the audience to a wide range of strategies that can help
manage and prevent stress, overwhelm, and burnout that results from being disorganized. Emotional intelligence underlies skills such as boundary setting, work-stress assessment, and personal reflection questions, all of which are included throughout the presentation.
To Register, Click Here
Gender and Pronouns in the Legal Practice
Presenters:
Honorable.Ted Tow (he/him), Colorado Court of Appeals
and
Hayden DePorter (they/them), HKM
February 11, 2025, 12:00 AM - 1:00 PM
I. The learning objectives of the presentation encompass the following:
a. Terminology
b. The Requirements of the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act
c. The Ethical Obligations of Rule of Professional Conduct 8.4
d. How to appropriately handle the topic in practice
e. Gender in legal writing
To Register for the Webinar, Click Here
2025 Annual Conference - July 31-Aug 2 - Book your room now at the host hotel, Viewline Resort
July 31, 2025, 5:30 PM
through August 2, 2025,
Book your room here!
Limelight Snowmass - 2025 Conference - July 31-Aug 2, 2025
You have to call to make reservations - 855-369-2460
Group Name: CDLA 2025 Annual Conference
July 31, 2025, 5:30 PM
through August 2, 2025,
More events + details