Highest Quality Legal Work at a Fair Rate

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Messner Reeves, we prioritize the individuality and diverse backgrounds of our team members, valuing their unique perspectives. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion not only enriches our organization but also leads to more innovative and effective solutions for our valued clients.

We have consistently acknowledged the importance of attracting and advancing a diverse group of attorneys and staff. We demonstrate our commitment to DEI through comprehensive mentoring programs, business development training, and client service opportunities. We foster a culture where everyone can thrive. By providing the necessary support and resources, we create an environment that enables all individuals to reach their full potential.

Messner Reeves Achieved the Midsize Mansfield Certification Plus

In 2023, Messner Reeves achieved the Midsize Mansfield Certification Plus, a prestigious recognition for law firms with a lawyer count typically ranging from 25 to 150. This is the highest certification level and underscores our unwavering dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion at all levels of leadership within our firm. This higher level of certification is awarded to firms that also achieved the 30 percent benchmark in addition to meeting their other criteria.

As one less than 80 law firms to attain this prestigious certification, we have dedicated ourselves to promoting diversity in our leadership. Over the past 18 months, we tracked detailed information which was shared with Diversity Lab and resulted in the achievement of this significant milestone.

The Midsize Mansfield Certification Plus, an extension of the renowned Mansfield Rule, recognizes the unique challenges faced by midsize firms like ours. We have actively considered at least 30% representation of women lawyers, underrepresented racial and ethnic lawyers, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities in leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, client pitches, lateral lawyer hiring, and more. We have also prioritized transparency by implementing written leadership role descriptions and clear pathways to leadership. To earn this certification, the firm engaged in an intensive 18-month partnership with Diversity Lab, which diligently monitored, and assessed the efforts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in leadership within our firm.

DEI in Community Involvement

*Messner Reeves numbers updated as April 2023

Messner Reeves actively engages in community initiatives promoting diversity and social justice. As one of the initial signatories to the Colorado Pledge to Diversity 1L Summer Program, we provide valuable opportunities for diverse Colorado Law and Denver Law students to gain paid 1L summer associate positions, fostering their professional growth.

Partner Bruce Montoya has made significant contributions through volunteering with the ABA’s Post-Conviction Death Penalty Project. His efforts have led to the commutation of a death sentence, exemplifying the firm’s commitment to justice and fair representation.

Additionally, Partner Bruce Montoya co-founded the Colorado Hate Crimes Task Force, which has gained national recognition as a model for teaching middle and high school students about the importance of diversity, he has continued to instill these values in Messner Reeves’ attorneys for nearly 20 years. Through participation in a mock trial based on a fictional case involving a violation of Colorado’s Hate/Bias-Motivated Crimes Statute, students actively engage in discussions and serve as jurors in small groups. With the guidance of adult facilitators, they explore issues surrounding diversity, racial slurs, and the significance of preventing hateful actions within their communities. This initiative effectively educates and empowers students to promote inclusivity and combat discrimination.

Messner Reeves is proud to support professional organizations at the national and local levels that support DEI and the careers of diverse professionals, such as the following:

Arizona Women Lawyers Association
Asian Law Alliance
Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley
Asian Pacific Bar
Center for Legal Inclusiveness
Colorado Hispanic Bar Association
Colorado LGBT Bar Association
Colorado Pledge to Diversity
Colorado Women’s Bar Association
Hate Crimes Task Force
Hispanic National Bar Association
Iranian American Bar Association
John M. Langston Bar Association
Latino Bar Association
LGBTQ Bar Association
Maritime Law Association
Metro Volunteer Lawyers
Mexican Society of Ophthalmology
National Association of Minority & Women owned law firms
National Association of Professional Women
National Association of Women Lawyers
National Conference of Vietnamese American Attorneys
New York Women’s Bar Association
Sam Cary Bar Association
Vietnamese American Bar Association
Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California
Vietnamese American Professional Women Association
Yegge Scholarship Program

DEI in Recruiting

Messner Reeves actively engages in the Colorado Pledge to Diversity program annually, demonstrating our commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession. Unlike many law firms that offer internships exclusively to second-year law students, we proudly extend paid opportunities to first-year law students from diverse racial, gender, and ethnic backgrounds through this vital program. We are pleased to report that we hire program participants yearly, recognizing and valuing the exceptional talent and potential they bring to our firm.

Law Clerks

Attorneys