OUR MISSION 2025-2026

The mission of the BCBA is to ensure that the Boulder County legal community is connected and thriving. We work towards this mission by fostering strong support networks, delivering valuable continuing legal education and facilitating meaningful engagement with the local community. Our core values—community, stewardship, generosity and adaptability—guide our daily work and help ensure we make a positive impact on individuals, the legal community, and Boulder County as a whole.

BOULDER COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION

2025 AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS

The Mission Statement is implemented through the Strategic Plan, which is organized into the following eight sections:

I) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

II) Mentoring Programs and New/Young Lawyers

III) Access to Justice and Legal Services

IV) Bench/Bar Relations

V) Technology and the Courts 

VI) Community Relations

VII) Professionalism and Civility

VIII) Member Wellness and Quality Of Life

I) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Boulder County Bar Association shall be committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within its membership, board, committees, and member firms.  The BCBA recognizes that diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, age, and sexual orientation will create a stronger and more vibrant bar association. The BCBA as a leader in the promotion of equal access to justice for all cannot fulfill that mission if it is not committed to diversity within the BCBA.  It shall be the duty of the board of directors, its officers, and employees to ensure that all groups within the legal community are represented in its programs, committees, and offices.  

The BCBA is comprised of members who live and work in different geographic locations.  The Association has an interest in meeting the different needs of these members. Efforts will be made to present social and educational programs throughout Boulder County. 

Strategic Actions:

• The BCBA office shall be kept in the City of Boulder.
• The BCBA will continue the practice of holding an annual meeting, CLE programs, and/or other activities in Longmont, Louisville, and other locations throughout Boulder County.
• The BCBA will collaborate with the Colorado Diversity and Specialty Bar Associations in furtherance of this mission.
• The BCBA will regularly evaluate needs related to issues of  diversity, equity, and inclusion, and develop strategic recommendations related to said needs.
• The BCBA commits to continuously promote and emphasize CLEs and other educational programs that discuss issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, including programming that qualifies for EDI CLE credit. 
• To uphold its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, the BCBA will regularly update and maintain its resources - its website, social media presence, and all communication - to ensure they are accessible to all and representative of these inclusive values. 

II) Mentoring Programs and New/Young Lawyers in Boulder County

The Board of Directors and current members of the BCBA acknowledge that the future of the bar association lies in nurturing the youngest and newly admitted practicing members. Continual efforts should be made to encourage participation in bar events, attendance to CLE, and other skills training specifically designed for new/young lawyers.  Special attention will be given to assisting those in solo practices by offering technology assistance and professional support in all areas of practice.   

Strategic Actions:

• The BCBA will commit itself to work in conjunction with CAMP, the mentor/mentee program, to assist new and young lawyers in Boulder County with education in specific areas of law and set an example of high quality of practice skills.
• The BCBA shall continue to offer discounted/free CLEs and special events to ensure attendance to bar events.
• Special social events will be offered monthly to provide opportunities to members of the legal community to network and connect.  ( Happy Hours, the annual BBQ or Holiday Party expressly for young/new lawyers). 

III) Access to Justice and Legal Services

The Boulder County Bar Association has a long-standing commitment in support of access to legal services.  In particular, the availability of legal services for underserved communities has been an issue of concern and focus.

Strategic Actions:

• It will continue to be a high priority of the Boulder County Bar Association to ensure that there is continued access to legal services to underrepresented communities.
• The BCBA will actively continue its support programs providing legal services to economically disadvantaged and underrepresented individuals.
• If Boulder County Legal Services is unable to continue to provide services in the future, the BCBA should be prepared to actively engage in developing an alternate legal services program to serve lower income individuals. 
• The BCBA will actively continue its support of existing programs within the BCBA, which provide access to legal services. 
• All such programs must be:  

• The BCBA should work with other community and non profit groups to gain wider support on the importance of legal services to avoid the unnecessary duplication of services, and to ensure the integrity of legal programs.
• The BCBA should collaborate with the law schools to ensure graduating law students are aware of the importance of public outreach and what resources are available to the community.
• The BCBA should continue to encourage its members to accept pro bono cases and volunteer opportunities to continue active public support for legal services for communities with limited access to legal services.
• The reduced fee referral list should be maintained and lawyers should be encouraged to participate in this service.
• The BCBA should continue its efforts in regard to continuing legal education, mentoring, and other such programs for lawyers to ensure that high quality legal services are provided.

IV) Bench/Bar Relations

Lawyers and the general public perceive judges as leaders in the local legal community by virtue of their position of authority. Throughout the history of the BCBA, Boulder County judges have participated actively in continuing legal education programs, dinners, and other functions of the BCBA.  Lawyers have a strong desire to see judges continue to remain involved in the local legal community as a healthy bench/bar relationship benefits and promotes the interests and goals of both groups.

Strategic Actions

• The BCBA will request the chief judge continue to encourage participation by judges in the works of the Association, including playing an active role in providing educational opportunities to BCBA members.
• The BCBA will continue to host the annual Judge's Dinner and when appropriate, will recognize outstanding service by a member of the judiciary.
• The BCBA will continue to waive dues for Judges, Magistrates [and law clerks] to promote judicial attendance at Association events.
• The BCBA will organize and promote judicial centric activities to give judges and attorneys the opportunity to communicate with each other on ways to enhance both professions.

V) Technology and the Courts

The Courts of the 20th Judicial District are part of a system referred to as Justice-Link, enabling all offices within Colorado’s judicial system to share information. Computer and telecommunication technology exist to further modernize and improve court operations, such as e-filing.  These improvements will help the courts to operate more efficiently.

The Board of Directors of the BCBA recognizes that keeping informed as to new technologies and learning how to best use them for the benefit of clients is an ethical obligation of all Colorado lawyers, and will remind its membership of this obligation and provide programming to assist the membership in satisfying this obligation.

Strategic Actions:  

• As technology is ever changing, the BCBA will continuously update its resources and education available to members to reflect these changes.
• The BCBA will provide at least one CLE opportunity per quarter, in which both attorneys and paralegals are encouraged to attend, regarding new technologies and their potential uses, advantages, and risks in the practice of law in Colorado.

VI) Community Relations 

The BCBA shall prioritize and pursue community relations as a means to educate the public to increase understanding and acceptance of lawyers and the legal system. 

Strategic Actions:

• Encourage members of the BCBA to participate in volunteer opportunities within the legal community, including: mock trial programs and competitions throughout Boulder County, and the BCBA’s virtual legal clinic.
• The BCBA will regularly host public forums, CLEs, and discussions on law related topics.
• The BCBA shall maintain an up to date website with information that is accessible to members and the public. 
• The BCBA will commit itself to partnering with other nonprofit and civic organizations to support and educate underserved communities.
• The Board will create and maintain a public statement policy for the BCBA.
• The BCBA will provide educational resources for the public to gain knowledge about the legal system and available resources. 

VII) Professionalism and Civility

Promoting professionalism and civility within the BCBA ensures a respected legal community, which enhances the administration of justice and public trust in the legal profession. 

Strategic Actions:

• The BCBA will continue to develop specialty practice groups, sections, and/or roundtables. 
• The BCBA will partner with courts and law schools for educational programming. 
• The BCBA will continue to create and maintain a newsletter, website, and CLE library for legal updates, ethics guidance, and best practices. 
• The BCBA will continue to develop and offer a variety of CLE opportunities in a variety of formats. 
• The BCBA will recognize outstanding contributions to the legal profession through awards and honors. 
• The BCBA will maintain an active Professionalism Committee, which will be responsible for  an annual CLE and newsletter article, as well as an annual report to be reviewed by the BCBA Board to ensure needs are being met. 

VIII) Member Wellness and Quality of Life

The BCBA recognizes that members of the legal profession face numerous challenges not inherent in every profession, including but not limited to overwork and stress; financial issues; client pressures; a lack of awareness of potential professional and personal risks; mental health and substance abuse issues; and an inability to recognize and change behaviors which may become problematic. In light of the growing public awareness and discussion of these issues and risks, the BCBA is committed to assisting its membership in avoiding these risks and improving their health and wellness more generally. 

Strategic Actions:

• The BCBA shall commit to offering business and time management courses, specific to the legal profession, to develop the skills of efficient and effective work techniques and organization among its membership.
• The BCBA should provide CLE programs which provide clear and practical advice to minimize the risks of malpractice or conduct otherwise actionable by clients or attorney regulation counsel.
• The BCBA should provide its membership with information regarding assistance programs, such as Colorado Lawyers’ Assistance Program (COLAP).
• The BCBA should offer CLEs and other educational resources to its membership on subjects pertinent to the improvement of health and wellness, including substance-related issues.  
• The BCBA should facilitate the formation and development of personal and professional relationships amongst its members through its sponsored and planned activities.