In December, Colorado Law received one of its largest gifts in several years.
A generous four-year commitment from alumna Libby Cook (’82) will provide robust support to three exceptional programs at Colorado Law.
First, the gift will support the school’s outstanding clinical faculty by creating five 3-year fellowships. Clinical faculty play an indispensable role in guiding and mentoring students through the school’s nine legal clinics, which include American Indian law; civil practice; criminal defense; immigration; natural resources, energy, and environmental law; technology law and policy; entrepreneurship; sustainable community development; and family law, serving hundreds of pro bono clients from throughout Colorado each year.
“I feel fortunate to be able to support Dean Inniss and Colorado Law in a way that aligns with our mutual goals,” Cook said. “I am excited about Dean Inniss’ appointment as dean and hope this gift will further strengthen Colorado Law’s reputation as a premier law school.”
Cook’s gift will also propel Colorado Law’s ability to diversify the student body through the creation of four Leaders in Law and Community (LILAC) Fellowships, which will be funded over the next three years. The LILAC fellowship program strives to recruit and develop students from backgrounds underrepresented in law schools and in the legal profession. LILAC Fellows are from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, have diverse cultural identities, or have overcome significant obstacles. With their unique experiences, backgrounds, and accomplishments, LILAC Fellows have the potential to use their law degrees to be transformational leaders in law and community.
This commitment will also provide annual support to the New Venture Challenge, CU Boulder’s premier entrepreneurial program and competition for students, staff, and faculty to try out entrepreneurship. Colorado Law’s Silicon Flatirons Center runs the information technology track of the competition, which is geared toward businesses with technology as the primary driver.
“This gift elevates three of Colorado Law’s areas of excellence and strategic importance: our Clinical Education Program, which helps students make the transition from legal theory to legal practice while supporting our communities; our commitment to fostering a more diverse student body; and Colorado Law’s premier business and entrepreneurial law offerings,” said Dean Lolita Buckner Inniss. “I am deeply grateful to Libby for her generous investment in our students, faculty, and outstanding programs.”