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The 29th Annual University of Colorado Law School Alumni Awards Banquet, held last night at the Hyatt Regency in Denver, had the highest attendance of the law school’s alumni, friends, faculty, and students and the most funds raised of any previous banquet. Four alumni were honored—President of the Colorado Senate Brandon C. Shaffer ’01; Gilbert Goldstein ’42 of MDC Holdings, Inc.; private practitioner Melissa D. Hubbard ’83; and Gary Jackson ’70 of DiManna & Jackson LLP in Boulder. “The alumni we honor tonight exemplify the best of Colorado Law,” said Dean David Getches. “It is a tribute to them that this banquet has attracted so many friends and alumni of Colorado Law.” This year’s banquet brought together almost 500 Colorado Law alumni and guests and raised $44,000 for student scholarships, thanks to generous contributions from law firms, businesses, nonprofits, alumni, and friends.Law Alumni Board Chair Eric Rothaus ’01 opened the banquet, greeting the guests and recognizing the current and past Law Alumni Board members. Then Banquet Chair and Master-of-Ceremonies Jan Steiert ’78 recognized the previous alumni award winners and thanked the sponsors and advertisers for their generosity.Following a delicious three-course dinner, Dean Getches updated the alumni and guests about the last year at Colorado Law. He highlighted accomplishments such as law students volunteering more than 10,000 hours in the legal community in the past two years, and the fact that despite the economy, the amount of donations and the number of alumni donating have increased this year.Former Colorado General Assembly Majority Leader Alice Madden ’80 presented the Distinguished Achievement Award for Recent Alumnus to Senator Schaffer. She spoke of his integrity and the high level of respect that is held for him around the capitol.Larry Mizel, CEO and Board Chairman of real estate company MDC Holdings spoke of Gilbert Goldstein’s contributions to the success of MDC Holdings and Colorado real estate law. Following Mizel, Goldstein’s grandson Jared Seidenberg ’04 highlighted the impact his grandfather has had on his life and legal career. Seidenberg presented the Distinguished Achievement Award for Executive in Industry to Goldstein. Todd Fredrickson ’91 of Fisher & Phillips presented the Distinguished Achievement Award for Private Practice to Melissa Hubbard. He highlighted Hubbard’s accomplishments in law, volunteering, commitment to Colorado Law, and family. Following a video of testimonials from Jackson’s friends and family, Judge Larry Naves’74 presented the William Lee Knous Award, the highest Colorado Law alumni award to Jackson, who opened doors to African-Americans in the Colorado legal community. Not only was he one of the earliest African-American lawyers in Colorado, but he encouraged and counseled countless others, working with them to find opportunities to further their careers.Colorado Law thanks the Banquet’s sponsors: Capstone Sponsor: MDC/Richmond American Homes FoundationKeystone Sponsors: BAR/BRI of Colorado; Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher; and Wheeler Trigg O’DonnellFlagstone Sponsors: Arnold & Porter; Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck; Colorado & Denver Bar Associations; Colorado Bar Association: CLE; Colorado State Bank & Trust; Davis Graham & Stubbs; DiManna & Jackson; Dufford & Brown; Faegre & Benson; Fisher & Phillips; Holland & Hart; Holme, Roberts & Owen; Hoskin, Farina & Kampf; Husch Blackwell Sanders; Isaacson Rosenbaum; Morrison & Foerster; Moses Wittemyer Harrison & Woodruff; Ogle Enterprises; Otten Johnson Robinson Neff & Ragonetti; Quest Communications; Reilly Pozner; Robinson Waters & O’Dorisio; and Snell & Wilmer