Messner Reeves remains at the forefront of community engagement through our unwavering commitment to promoting diversity and championing social justice. We’re proud to spearhead initiatives while supporting the careers of professionals with diverse backgrounds .
At our core, we know that true inclusion creates the framework for successful law firms and a thriving community. We show this belief through firm wide initiatives and supporting individual attorney efforts to propel the legal industry forward.
Building a Stronger Legal Profession Through the Colorado Pledge to Diversity 1L Summer Program
Messner Reeves is proud to participate in the Colorado Pledge to Diversity 1L Summer Program. The diversity initiative seeks to increase the number of attorneys from diverse backgrounds working in the legal profession in the state.
The 1L program provides first-year law students with valuable opportunities to gain legal experience as summer associates or interns. Participating organizations include law firms, corporations, government entities, and public interest organizations across the state.
Here at Messner Reeves, our 1L program also involves mentorship relationships, networking opportunities, and a more inclusive environment. Through innovative initiatives, such as mock trials designed to educate students, we’re paving the way in advocating for inclusivity, understanding, and community harmony.
Partner Highlight: Bruce Montoya’s Outstanding Community Contributions
- 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.
- Co-founding the Colorado Hate Crimes Task Force: Montoya’s team gained national recognition as a model for teaching middle and high school students about the importance of diversity. This model has students explore issues surrounding diversity, racial slurs, and the significance of preventing hateful actions within their communities. The result: effectively educating and empowering students to promote inclusivity and combat discrimination.
- Being an initial signatory for the Colorado Pledge to Diversity 1L Summer Program: The program provides Colorado Law and Denver Law students from diverse backgrounds with opportunities to work in paid 1L summer associate positions.
Bruce is committed to serving the community. His ability to identify problems and create solutions has changed lives and benefitted countless individuals.
Seeking a law firm that champions Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)? Join our team and be part of the change. Apply now!
Supporting and Promoting DEI-Driven Legal Organizations
To make a broader, lasting change in the legal profession means standing up for ourselves and encouraging those who also are here to make an impact. It’s our honor to support professional organizations at the local and national levels that promote DEI in the legal field:
- Asian Law Alliance
- Maritime Law Association
- Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley
- Metro Volunteer Lawyers
- Asian Pacific Bar
- Mexican Society of Ophthalmology
- Center for Legal Inclusiveness
- National Association of Minority & Women owned law firms
- Colorado Hispanic Bar Association
- National Association of Professional Women
- Colorado LGBT Bar Association
- National Association of Women Lawyers
- Colorado Pledge to Diversity
- National Conference of Vietnamese American Attorneys
- Colorado Women’s Bar Association
- New York Women’s Bar Association
- Hate Crimes Task Force
- Sam Cary Bar Association
- Hispanic National Bar Association
- Vietnamese American Bar Association
- Iranian American Bar Association
- Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California
- John M. Langston Bar Association
- Vietnamese American Professional Women Association
- Latino Bar Association
- Yegge Scholarship Program
- LGBTQ Bar Association
