LAW WEEK COLORADO

DENVER — The Colorado Hispanic Bar Association presented a high award this weekend to the director of the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center.

Stephanie Villafuerte was honored with the Chris Miranda Outstanding Hispanic Lawyer Award for her long career in public service. The award was presented Saturday at the CHBA’s annual banquet. Prior to her post as executive director at the Children’s Law Center, Villafuerte was deputy chief of staff to former Gov. Bill Ritter. Before that, she was an assistant U.S. attorney and head of the family violence unit at the Denver district attorney’s office.

In 2009, Villafuerte was President Barack Obama’s initial choice as U.S. attorney for Colorado, but she withdrew her name from consideration after her nomination became the center of a political fight.

View the press release here:

For Immediate Release

Denver, CO—(Saturday, January 29) The Colorado Hispanic Bar Association awarded Stephanie Villafuerte the Chris Miranda Outstanding Hispanic Lawyer Award for her commitment to the Hispanic community and personification of the principles of the legal profession.

The granddaughter of immigrants from Mexico, Villafuerte has championed the causes of women, children and the Hispanic community throughout her legal career. She currently serves as the
Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center
. The Children’s Law Center, a nonprofit law firm, protects and saves the lives of abused and neglected children through zealous legal advocacy, innovative programs and public policy reform. Each year, the Children’s Law Center represents more than 1,000 child victims, at-risk families and foster parents.

Villafuerte served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Bill Ritter, Jr., advising the Governor on criminal justice, homeland security, immigration and human services issues. She also coordinated and oversaw a number of special projects for the Governor including the rescue of Haitian children following the devastating 2010 earthquake. In conjunction with the Colorado Director of Health and Human Services, Villafuerte coordinated the transport of 32 Haitian children to their adoptive parents in Colorado.

Prior to her work in state government, Villafuerte made a name for herself as a passionate advocate for child victims and women as a prosecutor for 15 years. First as an Assistant United States Attorney, and then as the Chief of the Family Violence Unit at the Denver District Attorney’s Office, Villafuerte prosecuted cases involving domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.

The Chris Miranda Outstanding Hispanic Lawyer Award is presented to an outstanding Hispanic attorney in practice more than five years who has shown a continual commitment to the Hispanic community and the principles of the legal profession. Other award winners honored at the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association annual dinner included Derek Blass, Keith Montoya, Hans Meyer and Honorable Gilbert Gutierrez.

For more information about the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center visit www.childlawcenter.org.

Stay ahead by signing up for Law Week E-News! >