The Colorado Lawyer Trust Account Foundation and the Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado announced Nov. 27 the selection of Jordan Bates-Rogers as executive director, effective Dec. 29, according to a press release. Bates-Rogers will succeed the organization’s long-time executive director, Diana Poole, who is retiring after 18 years.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jordan as our next Executive Director,” said Jay Sturhahn, chair of the Legal Aid Foundation’s board of trustees, in the announcement. “He is an impressive and inspiring leader, with a demonstrated commitment to improving access to civil justice.” Echoing Sturhahn’s enthusiasm, COLTAF Board President Chuong Le added, “Jordan brings with him the right skill set, as well as new energy and ideas to move both organizations forward.”
Bates-Rogers is currently the executive director of the Arkansas Access to Justice Commission and Foundation.
“I look forward to working with the legal community to ensure every low-income Coloradan gets the legal help they need when facing a potentially life-altering crisis. By advocating for robust funding for legal services, COLTAF and the Legal Aid Foundation provide help and hope to Coloradans in need. I am excited to join this team and build on the many achievements of my predecessor, Diana Poole,” said Bates-Rogers in a press release.
Both organizations develop resources to support Colorado’s civil legal aid delivery system and other access-to-justice initiatives, the press release noted. These resources include Colorado Legal Services, a statewide nonprofit legal aid program that provides free legal assistance in civil matters to low-income individuals and seniors throughout the state.
“Under Jordan’s leadership, the future of both organizations is bright,” said outgoing executive director Poole in the announcement. “I am committed to providing support through the transition, and I look forward to the organizations’ continued success in developing and deploying resources to improve and expand access to justice.”
Bates-Rogers’ selection was the result of a search process conducted by the president and vice-president of the COLTAF board, the chair and vice-chair of the Legal Aid Foundation board and a former Colorado Bar Association president, who has chaired both the COLTAF and Legal Aid Foundation boards and is a past chair of the Colorado Access to Justice Commission.
“We are fortunate to continue our partnership with COLTAF and the Legal Aid Foundation under Jordan’s leadership. The financial support of those organizations is critical in helping the dedicated lawyers at Colorado Legal Services provide access to justice to those Coloradans most in need,” commented Matt Baca, executive director of Colorado Legal Services.