Letter from the Law Alumni Board Chair: Sonny Cave '85

Dear Colorado Law Alumni and Friends,

This year marks not only my term as chair of the Law Alumni Board (LAB), but also my 40th reunion since graduating from Colorado Law in 1985. As I reflect on the path that led me from law student to board chair, I feel immense gratitude for this community and the lifelong values it has instilled in me.

My connection to Colorado runs deep. I spent many summers as a teenager living in Rocky Mountain National Park, where my father worked as a seasonal park ranger. When it came time to choose a law school, CU was a natural fit. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to pursue my interests in environmental and natural resources law.

After graduation, my career took many turns, eventually culminating in 22 years as the founding general counsel at ON Semiconductor in Phoenix, Arizona. During the early years of that tenure, I reengaged with Colorado Law through conversations with the late Dean David Getches—one of my favorite professors—and with former Dean Phil Weiser, now Colorado’s attorney general. That renewal led my wife, Dr. Stefanie Workman, and me to establish an endowment supporting ethics and compliance education, helping launch the law school’s Master of Studies in Law (MSL) program. Since then, our support has grown alongside our admiration for the school’s mission, students, and dedicated leadership. I want to thank my predecessor, Tim Galluzzi '14, for his exceptional service as chair. His thoughtfulness, steady leadership, inclusive spirit, and sincere dedication have positioned the
LAB for continued impact.

As we enter this next chapter, one of our new initiatives is the evolution of the annual Alumni Board Retreat. What was once a half-day meeting is now two half-days of immersive dialogue designed to deepen collaboration with faculty, staff, and students. With this new format, our September retreat in Boulder was a very successful event rooted in inclusivity, innovation, and meaningful engagement across the Colorado Law community.

Colorado Law’s vision for continuous improvement and excellence calls on all of us. Whether you graduated five or 50 years ago, the school needs your voice, your perspective, and your support—especially in light of ongoing challenges to higher education funding. There are many ways to get involved: mentoring students, hiring interns, attending events, or contributing financially to sustain the future of legal education in Colorado. I encourage you to connect with Dean Lolita Buckner Inniss, Assistant Dean for Advancement Robert Garelick, and our outstanding Advancement and Engagement team, including Georgette Vigil, to find a path that fits your passion.

Under Dean Inniss’ visionary leadership, Colorado Law is in a time of great transformation. With one of the largest and most accomplished faculty cohorts in school history, groundbreaking scholarship, and major investments in clinical education, the school is powerfully living its public mission. The LAB is proud to partner with her in amplifying these efforts and widening our circle of impact. 

I look forward to working with each of you during my time as chair. Together, we can ensure that Colorado Law thrives for generations to come. 

With warm regards,

Sonny Cave '85