Reflections

May/June 2026 By Charlie Willman

This is my final column as your CBA president. As I write this, I still have several months left in my term, but this feels like a good time to reflect on my 50-plus years in law practice and nearly three years in CBA leadership.

Reflections on Bar Leadership

Over the past year, I’ve shared my thoughts on a range of issues impacting the CBA and its membership, including:

• CBA initiatives to increase outreach to our members and transparency in CBA activities;
• new leadership under our executive director, Nicoal Sperrazza;
• the need to look at the organizational structure of the CBA;
• the increasing challenges to the rule of law;
• the need to recruit lawyers to address the legal deserts in Colorado and to provide greater access to justice in the rural areas of Colorado;
• the importance of the CBA’s mission to enhance and increase diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in our membership and in judicial appointments; and
• the need to increase and maintain professionalism in the practice of law.

Each of these areas remains central to the strength and future of our profession.

Presidential Visits

When I assumed the role of CBA president, I set a goal to meet with as many local bar associations as possible. I’m deeply grateful to Jessica Lindzy, CBA’s manager of governance and access to justice, for coordinating these visits, and to Nicoal Sperrazza for finding time in her busy schedule to accompany me on them.

During these visits, I emphasized the value each member brings to our association. Founded in 1897, the CBA has remained a voluntary bar for over 125 years. There are approximately 29,000 active registered attorneys in Colorado (22,000 of whom have Colorado business addresses),1 and nearly 17,000 of them have chosen to join the CBA. While membership in voluntary state bars has declined nationwide, the CBA has maintained approximately 90% of its membership this year. Thank you for your continued support.

Most Americans are familiar with John F. Kennedy’s inaugural call for citizens to ask what they can do for their country.2 But I offer CBA members a different version: “Ask not what you can do for the CBA—ask what the CBA can do for you.” I’d like to renew my request for members to reach out to CBA leadership and share how we can better support you and the needs of your law practices.

Legal Deserts Will Remain a Challenge

Efforts are underway to establish an independent group to evaluate strategies for financially supporting attorneys who are willing to practice in Colorado’s rural legal deserts. If successful in finding sustainable funding sources, this initiative could encourage more lawyers to consider establishing practices in underserved areas across Colorado.

The Rule of Law Is Under Attack

The rule of law continues to be challenged by executive actions and the failure of the executive branch of our government to direct the federal agencies and its attorneys to follow court orders. As I write this, The Denver Post reports that the attorneys representing ICE “didn’t seem to know” what the federal district judge had ordered regarding their use of warrantless arrests.3 Threats against federal judges have more than doubled since 2019, including over 500 threats in the 2024–25 fiscal year.4 Earlier this year, Judge Patrick Schiltz of Minnesota stated that “ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence.”5

I’ve learned through leadership seminars with the American Bar Association that judicial appointment systems—like the one we have in Colorado—are increasingly under attack. There is a growing push to replace merit-based appointments with judicial elections, a shift that risks further politicizing the judiciary beyond its current state. At the same time, judges are constrained in their ability to respond to criticism or threats, as doing so may violate the judicial code of conduct. Chief Justice Roberts recently stated that hostility toward individual justices has created a dangerous environment.6 Only nine days later, President Trump, at a National Republican Congressional Committee fundraiser, stated:

The time has also come for Republicans to pass a tough new crime bill that imposes harsh penalties for dangerous repeat offenders, cracks down on rogue judges. We got rogue judges that are criminals. They are criminals, what they do to our country. The decisions that they hand down and hurt our country.7

In my view, these attacks—along with the refusal to comply with court orders—pose a serious threat to the integrity of our judicial system. Our democracy depends on the separation of powers, and any erosion of respect for the judiciary undermines that foundation.

As lawyers, we have an ethical obligation to uphold and support the judicial system. This is not a partisan issue. Regardless of political beliefs or affiliations, attorneys must respect and support judicial decisions and the judiciary. We also have a responsibility to communicate to our clients and the public the importance of the rule of law and the critical role of an independent judiciary.

Constitution Day 2026

On September 17, 2026, we will observe Constitution Day, commemorating the signing of the US Constitution on September 17, 1787. This day is also recognized as Citizenship Day, honoring all who are citizens of the United States, whether by birth or naturalization.

I encourage each of you to engage with your communities. Consider offering to speak in local schools about the rule of law or writing letters to the editors of your preferred news outlets in support of the Constitution. Each of us has a role to play in promoting respect for the rule of law and supporting the constitutional principle of separation of powers.

Looking Ahead: CBA Initiatives

The Colorado Bar Association is moving forward in many ways:

• We have formed an AI Task Force to make recommendations to the CBA, the courts, and disciplinary counsel on changes that artificial intelligence will bring to the practice of law and how we as lawyers can use this emerging tool to better (and possibly more economically) serve our clients while maintaining our professional and ethical standards.8
• The CBA leadership continues to strongly support DEI. I invite you to review the CBA’s two DEI-focused toolkits to learn how to promote DEI and navigate potentially difficult conversations regarding DEI.9 Additionally, consider joining the CBA’s Diversity and Inclusivity Steering Committee.10 I continue to be concerned that DEI and the CBA may come under attack for these policies, but the continued support from our membership will help the CBA defend against any such attacks.
• The CBA continues to enhance its member benefits.11 We’ve adopted a new legal research benefit, Decisis, to offer practitioners an alternative to fee-based commercial databases. We’ve commenced a health insurance program to offer lower cost health insurance to our members and their families. The CBA is holding its first membership meeting in over a decade at Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center on December 3–5, 2026. The CBA is updating its website and hopes to have that new website active by year’s end.
• The CBA is making strides toward upgrading its governance system. The Bylaws Committee will submit bylaw changes to the Board of Governors at its June 2026 meeting. Those will be available to the membership for review and comments prior to that meeting. I encourage members to reach out to bar leaders to support systematic and necessary changes to the bylaws and to the structure of the CBA. A modern structure is necessary to maintain a viable and active bar. We need to encourage representative membership on our leadership boards and ensure that the fiduciary duties of the members of those boards are met.
• The CBA and Colorado Access to Justice Commission continue to enhance and improve access to justice. Pro bono opportunities are available on the Commission’s website.12 Please consider volunteering.

Finally, let the leadership know what else the CBA can do for you.

Personal Reflections

My presidential year would not be complete without taking a moment to indulge in my reflections on my practice of law.

I was licensed to practice law on October 5, 1975, and spent most of my legal career as a solo practitioner in Glenwood Springs. As I complete my 75th turn around this world and wind down my active practice, I’m grateful for the opportunities I have had to serve my clients and for my membership in the CBA.

I appreciate the opportunity to serve as CBA president. My leadership term, which will conclude following my term as past president, has been challenging at times but also rewarding. I extend my sincere thanks to the CBA staff for their dedication and support. I also encourage attorneys, particularly in rural areas, to step up and assume leadership positions within the organization.

I want to reach out to all members—especially those just beginning their practice—to offer a word of encouragement. Even when things seem to be going in all the wrong ways, bear in mind that the practice of law can bestow both emotional and financial rewards. Also remember that your responsibilities extend beyond the practice itself. Giving back and staying engaged in your community are essential parts of a meaningful legal career.

I’ve been fortunate to serve my community of Glenwood Springs. I’ve served on a number of local nonprofit boards, including some focused on pro bono service and others serving disabled adults and children at risk. I’ve worked as a volunteer on various boards and commissions and as a member of the city council of the City of Glenwood Springs. I’ve also had the opportunity to coach many hardworking high school students in the CBA Mock Trial Program. All of these service opportunities have enhanced my practice of law and my life. Years ago, I set a simple goal for myself: to leave every person in my life fuller for having had me in their life. I hope I have done that.

Finally, I want to thank my family—my children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchild. They have enriched my life more than they know.

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