CWBA ANNUAL CONVENTION SPEAKERS

May 16-18, 2025

CLE credits to be requested

Mary Lathrop Trailblazer Award Honoree

The Hon. Angela R. Arkin 2025 Honoree

The CWBA's prestigious Mary Lathrop Trailblazer Award will be presented during a special reception the evening of Friday, May 16, 2025. Read more about the history of the award and see a list of previous recipients here. 

Own The Room: Building Relationships and Self-Confidence

Strengthen your resilience muscle in this powerful workshop led by Nhi Aronheim, Speaker, Mediator at Mighty Mediator, and Author of "Soles of a Survivor". Resilience is key to building emotional and mental strength, allowing individuals to rise to challenges, persevere, and transform obstacles into opportunities for growth. Resilient people embrace challenges and see constructive feedback as a tool for self-improvement, while others may avoid challenges out of fear of failure.

TRAILBLAZERS Panel of Firsts

Featuring a Special Welcome by Representative Brianna Titone!

Representative Brianna Titone is the first openly transgender person elected to the Colorado General Assembly. She made history in 2018 when she was elected to represent District 27 in the Colorado House of Representatives. As a trailblazer for the transgender community, she advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, mental health, and environmental protection, among other issues. 

Moderator:

CWBA President Carime Lee

Carime Lee is the first Latina to serve as President of the Colorado Women’s Bar Association (CWBA). She is a Senior Attorney at the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), where she advises the home finance business unit in making homeownership possible for Coloradans.

Panelists:

Judge Christine M. Arguello

Judge Christine M. Arguello is the first Latina woman to serve as a federal judge in Colorado. She was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado in 2009 by President Barack Obama. Her appointment made history as a trailblazer for both women and the Latino community in the state's judicial system.

Representative Elizabeth Velasco

Enid Wade

Enid Wade is a prominent leader in Colorado and is the first Black woman to serve as General Counsel for Denver Health and Hospital Authority. She has been an advocate for education equity and has worked to improve the educational system for all students in Colorado, particularly for underserved communities. Wade's leadership and advocacy have made her a trailblazer in both the legal and Black communities in Colorado.

Luncheon Keynote: Paula Boggs

Session Details Coming Soon!

American attorney, musician, public speaker, former military officer, and CEO & Founder of Boggs Media LLC.

Courageous Leadership: Bring Your Authentic Self

Join Tara Dunn, entrepreneur and practicing attorney, for an empowering session on how to tap into your intuition, identify your core values, and bring your most authentic and courageous self to your life, work, and leadership.

Building your Influence Legacy: Amplifying your Voice and Presence in the Legal Field

Join Kami Guildner, CEO & Founder of Kami Guildner Coaching and Business Coach for High-Vibe Women Entrepreneurs, for an interactive session where you'll gain insights and strategies to amplify your voice, establish a lasting presence, and expand your impact in the legal profession. Together, we'll explore how to build a legacy of influence by unlocking your unique expertise, shaping how you're seen and heard, and creating a clear path forward that elevates both your career and contributions to the field.

Roundtable Sessions:
How To Be Bright, Build Bridges, and
Break Barriers

Marnie Adams

Session Details Coming Soon!

Katayoun Donnelly

Session Details Coming Soon!

Ashley Fetyko

Session Details Coming Soon!

Amanda Gall

Session Details Coming Soon!

Stand Out and Build Trust: How Storytelling Can Transform Your Legal Practice

In today’s competitive legal world, the most successful attorneys use storytelling to go beyond expertise, highlighting their unique approach to attract clients, build trust, and establish a lasting legacy. Join Melanie Herschorn, Founder and Publisher at Big Impact Books, and expert in strategic storytelling and publishing for attorneys, to discover how sharing your firm’s story can elevate your personal brand, unlock new business avenues, and set you apart in the crowded legal marketplace.

AI roundtable "breaking barriers"

Join Elizabeth Horton, Senior Associate Attorney at Davis Graham, and Christa Melde, AI Sales Lead for Global Large Law at Thomson Reuters, for a discussion on the implementation of artificial intelligence in the legal profession.

Pursuing Your Passions

Join Chris Lamb, Partner at Fortis Law Partners and mediator, for an interactive roundtable discussion on how you can enrich your life by engaging with your passion, whether it’s inside or outside the law. Break out of your regular routine, embrace the unknown, and step out of your comfort zone.

Cultivating Resilience and Community as a Young Lawyer

Starting a legal career can be both rewarding and overwhelming. Join Camille Moore, Staff Attorney at the Community Economic Defense Project, for a presentation that explores strategies for building resilience in the face of challenges, fostering meaningful professional connections, and creating a supportive community. Through real-world insights and practical advice, lawyers will learn how to sustain their passion, navigate setbacks, and thrive in their careers.

From the Courtroom to the Capitol: Running for Office, Leading a Team, and Life as a Legislator

Join Beth McCann, Former Denver District Attorney, for a discussion on running for elected office and managing a large office. Beth will share her insights on criminal law topics as well as what it’s like to be a legislator, offering valuable perspectives on leadership, public service, and navigating the complexities of both the legal and political worlds

Katie McLoughlin

Session Details Coming Soon!

Katherine Otto

Session Details Coming Soon!

Carving Out a Values-Driven Career: Aligning Passion with Purpose

Join Azra Taslimi, Attorney at Rathod Mohamedbhai, for a discussion on how to build a career rooted in personal values, even in the face of obstacles. Azra will share her journey, the challenges she has faced, and how staying true to her values has shaped her professional path.

Colette Tvedt

Session Details Coming Soon!

Nga Vu’o’ng-Sandoval

Session Details Coming Soon!

A special live session of “On What Grounds?” LIVE Leadership Café

Session Details Coming Soon!

Discussion Leaders:

CWBA President-Elect Alison Connaughty

Alison Connaughty is this year's President-Elect of the Colorado Women's Bar Association and will be leading this discussion.

Regan Byrd

Regan Byrd is the Founder and CEO of Regan Byrd Anti-Oppression Consulting

Colorado Diversity Bar Leaders:

Annie Martinez

Annie Martinez is the President of the Denver Bar Association