Lawyering in Colorado: This Is How We Do It, 0917 COBJ, Vol. 46, No. 8 Pg. 4
| Author | DICK GAST, J. |
August, 2017
CBA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
DICK GAST, J.
Colorado Lawyer—it’s a term that means much more than the publication you are reading right now. It describes the distinctive qualities of those who practice law in our great state. It represents a particular approach to the practice of law, a style of practice that is not always seen in other states.
That may be because Colorado itself is unlike any other state. We are surrounded by sources of inspiration: snow-capped peaks with vistas that delight the eye, lush mountain meadows surrounded by pine forests and aspen stands, canyons cut by Gold Medal trout fishing rivers, and prairie expanses dotted by sentinel buttes.
The lawyer who practices in Colorado—the Colorado Lawyer—also has some pretty special characteristics. Let’s call them the “Seven Cs.”
1. Competence
Competence is the bedrock of our practice. It’s a blend of knowing the law, having practical experience, and exercising good judgment. Clients have a wonderful knack for presenting us with fact patterns that we’ve never seen before and we’re certain no other lawyer has ever confronted. We call these gifts. They are an opportunity to dive into case law and statutory law, contact the wizened ones in our legal communities, and even (gasp!) search online for other resources in our quest to navigate the best course for our clients. We ruminate and deliberate. We assemble a substantive life raft buoyed by our knowledge, invite our clients aboard, and strike out across the water. When we know the law—when we bring all of our experience and judgment to bear—that raft rides a bit higher in the water.
2. Character
This “C” combines qualities like honesty, authenticity, and integrity. Packaging those together inspires trust from our clients, trust from other lawyers, and trust from the bench. In the ranching world, it’s called being “true to your word.” It’s as simple as keeping our promises. When we say we’ll get back to opposing counsel by Friday, we do so. When we say we’ll send our client a draft agreement for review by next Monday, we do so. Bit by bit, the Colorado Lawyer builds a reputation as a lawyer of character.
3. Collegiality
The collegial side of the Colorado Lawyer is all about relationships with colleagues—the other lawyers in...
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