The University of Denver Sturm College of Law has announced its Nov. 10 Law Stars event will honor five people for the impact they’ve made on the legal field.
According to a press release, DU Law Stars has honored legal leaders since 1993 by recognizing University of Denver Sturm College of Law alumni and faculty for their contributions to the university and Colorado legal community.
The press release noted this year’s honorees include Dolores Atencio (J.D. 1980), George “Skip” Gray III (J.D. 1985), University of Denver Sturm College of Law professor Catherine Smith, Allison Herren Lee (J.D. 1997) and Olivia Mendoza (J.D. 2019).
Atencio will be awarded the William L. Keating Outstanding Alumni Award. Atencio has been licensed for 42 years and is recognized as a national expert on the history of Latina lawyers along with the creation of the Luminarias study focused on the first Latina lawyers in the U.S., circa 1880-1980.
Gray is a retired senior attorney from the City of Denver’s Department of Law and is being awarded the Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. Alumni Professionalism Award. Gray practiced law for more than 30 years in the Denver area including working as a prosecutor, litigator and transactional attorney in both the public and private sectors. Gray has served in numerous leadership roles throughout his career.
Smith is being awarded the Robert B. Yegge Excellence in Teaching Award. Smith has been a faculty member at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law since 2004. Smith teaches in complex areas including torts, sexuality, gender and the law and a children’s rights and the constitution seminar. Smith also co-founded the DU-affiliated Consortium for the Advancement of Children’s Constitutional Rights.
Herren Lee will be awarded the Thompson G. Marsh Award. Herren Lee was appointed by President Joe Biden as acting chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in January 2021. Since stepping down from the SEC in 2022, Herren Lee has taken on various roles including as a senior research fellow and adjunct professor at New York University School of Law.
Mendoza will be awarded the Bruce B. Johnson Outstanding Young Alumni Award. Mendoza currently serves as director of litigation and policy for the National Redistricting Foundation which works to end gerrymandering. Prior to working in the law, Mendoza was director of strategic partnerships at the Latino Leadership Institute.
The DU Law Stars event will be hosted Nov. 10 at the Denver Art Museum-Sturm Grand Pavilion. Registrations have closed but sponsorship opportunities will remain open through Oct. 31.