Judge Carlos Lucero of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit Speaks to Sturm College of Law Environmental and Natural Resources Law Students

Recently Judge Carlos Lucero, a member of the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, spoke to a gathering of University of Denver Sturm College of Law students from the Environmental and Natural Resources Law program.

Judge Lucero spoke about his involvement with the ABA Rule of Law Initiative's Latin American and Caribbean Division, which supports legal reform efforts and judicial capacity building. He told the gathering of a meeting he had with members of the Chilean Supreme Court at which the group discussed the country's constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment alongside the concept of "absolute rights." Judge Lucero was quite impressed with the Chilean judges' consideration of how these rights are balanced and ultimately implemented.

Judge Lucero, who was appointed to the federal bench in 1995 by President Bill Clinton, also discussed his own experience with U.S. environmental law during the period when he practiced law in Alamosa, Colorado. During his years in private practice, Judge Lucero was involved with water law and public lands issues in particular.

Judge Lucero has a bachelor's degree from Adams State College and a law degree from George Washington University Law School. He served as a law clerk for former Colorado U.S. District Court Judge William E. Doyle from 1964-1965.

(Editor's note: In the top picture, Judge Lucero, far right, and Sturm College of Law Academic Dean Fred Cheever, far left, speak with 1L student John Hedges; in the middle picture, Judge Lucero speaks with Don Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law (ENRL) program; the bottom picture is of Judge Lucero and Lucy Daberkow, Assistant Director for the ENRL.)

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor Visits Sturm College of Law; She Addresses High School, College, and Law Students

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor spoke yesterday at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Justice Sotomayor addressed 250 high school and university students and offered her observations about working her way from a humble background to America's highest court.

The students, and others who attended the event, heard Justice Sotomayor talk about the need to work hard and the value of a good education.

Kathleen Nalty, executive director of the Colorado Campaign for Inclusive Excellence, said, "Justice Sotomayor said she didn't want to talk to lawyers, she wanted to talk to students." And that's exactly what Justice Sotomayor did. More about Justice Sotomayor's appearance can be learned by clicking here. A video feed from C-Span is available by clicking here.

The day also included remarks to a gathering of Environmental and Natural Resources Law program students by U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Carlos Lucero. The blog will be reporting soon on Judge Lucero's remarks.

Judge Carlos Lucero, United States Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge, to Speak at College of Law August 26

U.S. Tenth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals Judge Carlos F. Lucero (third from left in the picture from a recent meeting with representatives from Mexico's Federal Judicial Council) will speak from 12 noon to 1 p.m. on Aug. 26 in room 259 to Sturm College of Law students. Judge Lucero was appointed to the Court of Appeals in 1995 by President Bill Clinton.

Judge Lucero will speak in particular about his experience working with Latin American federal judges on matters related to environmental and natural resources cases. As member of the ABA Rule of Law Initiative Latin America and the Caribbean Division, Judge Lucero has been actively involved with Latin American colleagues. The Latin America and Caribbean Division has conducted a variety of programs, including advancing legal education and legal profession reforms, promoting mediation, and alternative dispute resolution to improve access to justice. It has also provided neutral advice and support to restructure laws in a number of substantive areas, including arbitration and commercial mediation.

Don C. Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program, said, "It will be a great honor for the college of law to host Judge Lucero, one of the most highly respected judges in the United States. His observations about environmental and natural resources law will be of enormous interest to DU students since he has considerable experience working with and understanding the relevant laws not only in the U.S. but in Latin America as well."

All students are invited to hear Judge Lucero. Food will be served.