Hall of Fame

The Law Alumni Board selects the Knous and Distinguished Alumni Award recipients, the Law School Dean selects the Honorary Order of the Coif recipient, and the CU-Boulder Alumni Awards Committee selects the Norlin, Recognition, and Stearns awards. View a complete list of Colorado Law award recipients.

Knous Award

The William Lee Knous Award was established in memory of former governor, federal judge, distinguished statesman and alumnus William Lee Knous  (1911). It is Colorado Law’s highest honor and is given to the alumnus or alumna in recognition of outstanding achievement and sustained service to Colorado Law.

Alumni Awards for  Distinguished Achievement

Each  year, the Law Alumni Board selects distinguished alumni to honor at the Spring Law  Alumni Awards Banquet. There are nine categories of achievement: Corporate  Counsel, Executive in Industry, Judiciary, Education, Private Practice, Public  Sector, Solo/Small Firm Practitioner, Recent Alumnus, and Special Recognition. If you would like to submit the name of a distinguished alumnus or alumna, please contact Alumni Relations.

Honorary   Order of the Coif

The English Order of the Coif, an ancient and honored institution of the Common Law, was an association of distinguished lawyers from whose members the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas were   appointed and who for centuries had the exclusive right to be barristers in that Court. Later, judges of the King’s Bench and the Exchequer were appointed from its members. The order took its name from the coif, or cap, which all members wore. The American Order was formed in 1911 for the purpose of promoting   scholarship among law students.             

The University of Colorado Law School, one of the 81 member law schools, became a   member in 1942. Under the Order’s constitution, only the top 10% of the school’s graduating class is eligible for membership. At each year’s commencement, Colorado Law presents an Honorary Order of the Coif to a member of the legal community.             

CU-Boulder   Alumni Awards

• The George Norlin Award was initiated in 1930 and honors alumni of the University of Colorado at Boulder for distinguished lifetime achievement. It recognizes   outstanding alumni who throughout their lives have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in their chosen field of endeavor and a devotion to the betterment of   society and their community.
• The Alumni Recognition Award was initiated in 1936 and honors CU-Boulder alumni for extraordinary service to CU-Boulder through volunteer efforts on behalf of the   University and the Alumni Association.
• The Robert L. Stearns Award was initiated in 1953 and recognizes members of the faculty and staff for extraordinary achievement or service in any one or combination of the following areas: teaching, service to the University, work with students, research or off-campus service. Award winners receive a medal.