Pro Bono Projects

PRO BONO AND COMMUNITY SERVICE AT RP

At RP, we recognize that we are part of the community in which we live and work. We are therefore actively involved in, and strongly encourage our lawyers to participate in pro bono legal representation and community service activities.

Pro Bono Legal Work At RP

Our lawyers and professional staff donate substantial time and resources to pro bono legal representation. Our pro bono work includes not only large, complex cases involving broad-based social issues, but also the representation of individuals who could not otherwise afford legal representation. In the last few years, RP attorneys have:

Been appointed as Special Counsel by the Denver District Court to prosecute the State Hospital and its administrators for contempt of court for failing to provide timely mental health treatment for criminal defendants found incompetent to proceed to trial. RP's work resulted in a settlement agreement with the State of Colorado that revolutionized the process by which mentally ill defendants are provided constitutionally required medical care and ensured that such services will be provided in a timely manner in the future.

Served as lead counsel, working with other local law firms, in suing the State Department of Motor Vehicle for erecting illegal barriers that precluded homeless individuals and others from obtaining identification cards necessary to obtain basic human services. The Chief Judge of the Denver District Court granted RP's request for preliminary injunctive after finding that the rules were causing irreparable harm and that plaintiffs were likely to prevail on the merits.

Battled the Colorado Springs School District over violations of student speech and association rights on behalf of the Palmer High School Gay/Straight Alliance and its student members. Our work, along with others, resulted in a consent decree ensuring the GSA's right to exist and fully participate in student life at the high school.

Represented a non-biological mother in a multi-state child custody case against her former partner.

Provided representation in a domestic relations case for the allocation of parental responsibilities proceeding in connection with the Family Tree organization.

Represented a client in an important immigration appeal.

Represented a criminal defendant, who could not have otherwise afforded representation, against grave charges.

Assisted Planned Parenthood with judicial bypasses of Colorado's parental notification law.

Authored amicus brief on behalf of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Community Center of Colorado in same-sex parenting case in the Colorado Court of Appeals.

Assisted United States veterans in appealing benefit denials.

Volunteered as a guardian ad litem with the Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center in civil protective order cases.

Community Service At RP

RP is also proud of the community service performed by our attorneys and staff. In the past few years, RP attorneys and staff have:

Taught street law at North High School and Urban Peak's Homeless Students High School in association with Goodwill Industries.

Served on the Board of Advisors of former Denver Broncos captain Karl Mecklenburg's REACH (Rewarding Experiences for All Children) Foundation. The organization provides Denver area children and youth with educational opportunities and resources needed to excel in the classroom and in life.

Served on the Advisory Board for the non-profit operation Rocky Mountain Relief. Based in Denver, Rocky Mountain Relief was founded to offer long-term assistance to Hurricane Katrina victims wanting to relocate permanently to Colorado.

Served as mentor for the Denver Area Youth Services program. This program provides positive role models for children who have an incarcerated parent.

Donated time and services to VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) which is a program sponsored by the IRS. This program has volunteers complete and e-file taxes for low-income individuals and seniors.

Volunteered with SHARE Colorado, which helps to sort and repackage food that is bought in bulk to be sold at large discounts to low-income families and individuals.

Served as a member of Project CURE, which sorts and repackages donated medical supplies to be used in needy countries throughout the world.

Volunteered with VOC (Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado), which sponsors various outdoor projects including trail building/maintenance and habitat restoration.

Raised money for the Race For The Cure, which raises awareness of breast cancer, and participated in the event.

Served on the Board of Directors of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Community Center of Colorado and also as Chair of the Center's Legal Initiatives Project (CLIP). CLIP is The Center's legal outreach program and is the only legal project in Colorado dedicated solely to the equality and dignity of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people and those with HIV.

Volunteered with Project Homeless Connect.

Volunteered with the Family Tree organization to assist victims of domestic violence with the preparation of legal domestic relations forms.

Trained as a Self-Help Group Leader with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Made a presentation regarding Sexual Orientation Issues Relating to Victim Advocacy to Adams County Victim Advocates.

Served as a Scoring Panelist for the Colorado Mock Trial State Tournament.

Hosted a free panel discussion for GLBT law students, new lawyers, and "newly out" lawyers on the topic of "Coming Out on Your Resume and Being Out on the Job."