Community and Culture at Colorado Law
Colorado Law has a long-standing commitment to empowering a community of lawyers that reflects the wide variety of intellectual diversity and lived experiences in our world. The teaching of lawyers requires courage to engage in the most complex problems and debates of our day.
Our Vision statement:
With our roots in Colorado and a global outlook, we are a supportive and diverse educational and scholarly community in a place that inspires vigorous pursuit of ideas, critical analysis, contemplation, and civic engagement to advance knowledge about the law in an open, just society.
Meet the Team
Associate Dean for Community and Culture and Clinical Professor of Law
Associate Dean Violeta Chapin directs the Immigration Clinic at Colorado Law, and has been a member of the law faculty since 2009. As an immigration and criminal defense attorney, Prof. Chapin has long thought about what it means to belong in our society. She brings that perspective to her role in helping to build a truly welcoming and inclusive community at the law school, for all of our students, staff and faculty.
Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence
Dr. Fernando Guzman is the Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence. Drawing on his extensive professional experience, Dean Guzman helps the law school further its commitment to embedding diversity, equity, and inclusiveness into the fabric of the law school at all levels.
Director of Events and Inclusive Programming
The Council for Racial Justice and Equity (CRJE) is an official student-led organization that advocates for and designs policy changes to Colorado Law concerning diversity and racial justice. It was formed in summer 2020 as nationwide racial justice protests oriented America's attention to the injustices Black communities face. The Black Law Student Association (BLSA), students from BIPOC-led organizations, and allies worked together to form the Council. To contact the CRJE and get involved, email: crje@colorado.edu
"Preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures."
Cesar Chavez (1927-1993. American activist and labor organizer; founder, National Farm Workers Association)