Professor Colene Robinson鈥攚ith her innovative approach to legal education and her dedication to public service鈥攈as been a transformative force at the University of Colorado Law School and in the greater community.
She wears many hats, teaching and writing about child welfare and juvenile delinquency and co-directing the Juvenile and Family Law Program. She also serves as director of the school鈥檚 Clinical Education Program, overseeing Colorado Law's nine vital legal clinics. In this Faculty Focus, Professor Robinson speaks with the law school鈥檚 Robyn Munn, sharing insights into her recent projects and the inspiration behind them.
Last year, you led a lunchtime seminar for students funded by the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative. What was the inspiration and the goal for the program?
The new public service project, 鈥淩epresenting Youth Ethically,鈥� invited law students to earn public service pledge hours by analyzing case studies of ethical issues that arise in representing children in dependency/neglect and delinquency cases. The project was created to shed light on the new role for attorneys called Counsel for Youth, which replaced the guardian ad litem (GAL) role for youth over 12. This new role raises many ethical questions, including conflicts of interest between siblings, how to represent clients with diminished capacity, and the boundaries of confidentiality when dealing with child victims of abuse or neglect.
That sounds like a major change for those working in the juvenile and family law arena.
The transition to Counsel for Youth has caused some consternation among attorneys and stakeholders across Colorado. Some attorneys wish to remain in the GAL role, despite its significant shortcomings, believing that attorneys should do what is best for the child rather than what the child wants. This belief leads to a lack of accountability to the child client, a lack of transparency, and a failure to create just and equitable relationships. In contrast, the Counsel for Youth model pushes attorneys to adopt a new way of lawyering for children, embracing the principles of the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative.
Many child advocates worked hard for years to make this change happen, and I am inspired by their dedication. It has been particularly moving to watch young people with lived experience advocate for this change and what it means to them to have an attorney fighting for what they want to happen in their lives.
The clinics have started a new initiative to connect with our alumni in the community, also focused on ethics issues. What will the program look like and who can participate?
Tentatively titled 鈥淐onnect with Us: CU Clinical Faculty and Alums Learning Together,鈥� clinical faculty are presenting free CLE programs on cutting-edge topics in our practice areas, open to all our clinic alumni and friends. Faculty are very enthusiastic about reconnecting with former students and appreciate the chance to visit with them. Spreading the word about the excellent work our clinics do helps us network and establish mutually beneficial ties with our broader legal community.
I am grateful that Sarah Matsumoto, our talented newest clinical professor, kicked off the series in June. She discussed working with and supervising new attorneys, particularly in the environmental context, at Wheeler Trigg O鈥橠onnell, which generously hosted this event. Associate Dean for Community and Culture Violeta Chapin will lead our next alumni/clinic discussion this fall鈥攑lease be on the lookout for more information!
Clinical Education Program faculty and staff. Back row: Violeta Chapin, Sarah Matsumoto, Colene Robinson, Zach Mountin '10. Front row: Jennipher Dallas-Jobe, Vivek Krishnamurthy, Ann England, Christina Stanton '15, Deborah Cantrell.
It鈥檚 inspiring to learn about your work building community among clinic alumni. Can you tell us more about your vision for bringing the community together?
Our students are what make the law school so special, and that only gets better when they graduate and move on in their careers. The chance to learn from alumni as they grow and develop their careers is inspiring. Faculty frequently mention how much they enjoy visiting with alumni in various contexts. When you focus deeply on teaching, you can lose sight of what鈥檚 happening in practice鈥攖he real challenges, opportunities for change, and making a difference鈥攁nd alumni have that expertise. I hope to find ways for alumni to share that with our faculty, our students, and our larger legal community. Whether through teaching, mentoring, or networking events, I envision a vibrant community where past and present students support and inspire each other.
Whether through teaching, mentoring, or networking events, I envision a vibrant community where past and present students support and inspire each other.
Speaking of inspiring, you recently received a 2024 Boulder Faculty Excellence Award for 鈥淓xcellence in Teaching鈥� which recognizes the vital importance of teaching and mentoring students as significant components of faculty duties that are central to the university鈥檚 mission. How does it feel?
Winning this award has made me so happy because it has given me a chance to hear from former students. Many have reached out with kind words, sharing updates on their lives and careers, and it has been wonderful to reconnect. I hope to hear from even more alumni, especially those whose careers aren鈥檛 exactly where they want them to be 鈥� because I have been there too and want to provide encouragement. Being a lawyer can be challenging, and the highs and lows are better when you can share them. This award is a testament to the strong community we鈥檝e built at CU Law, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue fostering these connections.