Patty H. Powell

Phone: 303-578-4400

Fax: 303-578-4401

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Patty joined Rathod Mohamedbhai as Of Counsel, handling civil rights, employment discrimination and educational abuse cases. She is also continuing to offer individual professional development coaching to law students and lawyers, as well as DEI training and consulting for legal employers.

Patty brings to her Of Counsel and consulting roles many years of experience. As a practicing lawyer, she served as an Assistant Colorado Attorney General for the Appellate and Civil Litigation sections, a Deputy Denver District Attorney and a Litigation Associate in a major Denver law firm. Over the course of her years in law practice, Patty tried in excess of 10 jury trials, and she conducted oral arguments before the Colorado Court of Appeals and Colorado Supreme Court. After leaving the active practice of law, Patty transitioned into legal education at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where she served as Assistant Dean of Career Development, Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Director of the Academic Achievement Program and Assistant Professor of the Practice. For many years, Patty has advised diverse law students and conducted DEI training within the context of her positions in higher education and her consulting business, Counsel for Counsel, LLC. Throughout her career, Patty has been committed to working with others to achieve a more diverse and inclusive legal profession. She was a co-founder of the Center for Legal Inclusiveness, and she has won awards for her DEI work in the legal profession.

As a law firm dedicated to effecting permanent social change, Rathod Mohamedbhai offers a fitting platform upon which Patty can combine her interests in civil rights and social justice with her continuing efforts to lift up and empower law students and lawyers who are preparing to make their own contributions to the greater good.

EDUCATION

Patty earned her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Prior to law school, she completed Master’s Degree coursework in Counseling and Guidance at Indiana University. Patty earned her B.A. in Psychology and English from Oberlin College. She is admitted to practice law in Colorado.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Senior Partner/Lecturer, University of Denver Sturm College of Law
Lawyering Process Program (First year Legal Research and Writing course)

Assistant Professor of the Practice, University of Denver Sturm College of Law
Intermediate Legal Analysis

PRESENTATIONS

What to do With Your Law Degree, CLE International; Alternative Careers for Lawyers, American Inns of Court; Status of Women in the Legal Profession, Colorado Women’s Bar Association; Diversity in the Legal Profession, University of Denver Sturm College of Law Alumni Council; Understanding Microaggressions: The Path to Cultural Effectiveness, University of Denver Sturm College of Law Lawyering Process Faculty and Staff, University of Denver Faculty Senate and Office of Human Resources, Xcel Energy Corporate Legal Department, Holland & Hart LLP, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Risk Management Society; Job Search Strategies for Minority Law Students, National Black Law Students Association Convention; Job Search Intensive, Colorado Bar Association; Inclusive Excellence Leadership Series, University of Denver and University of Colorado Law Schools; Six-Step Inclusiveness Program, Microaggressions, Center for Legal Inclusiveness; Incorporating the Foundations of Practice into the Law School Setting, Educating Tomorrow’s Lawyers Annual Conference; How to Embed Inclusiveness in Law Schools, National Association of Law Placement Annual Conference; How to Prepare for and Succeed in Law School, Law School Yes We Can

PUBLICATIONS

Inclusive Excellence in Law Schools—Chapter added to manual, “Beyond Diversity: Inclusiveness in the Legal Workplace” (published by Center for Legal Inclusiveness)
Hidden Connections: The Link Between Well-Being and Inclusion, Colorado Lawyer, June 2020

AWARDS

William L. Keating Outstanding Alumni Award, DU Law Stars
Outstanding Volunteer Award, Co-Founder/10-year Board Service Award—Center for Legal Inclusiveness
Ben Aisenberg Diversity Leadership Award—Sam Cary Bar Association
Diversity Commitment Award—University of Colorado Law School
Multicultural Excellence Award—University of Denver
Most Outstanding Administrator—Student Bar Association, University of Denver Sturm College of Law (2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2014-2015)
Most Outstanding Advisor—Student Bar Association, University of Denver Sturm College of Law (2012-2013)
21-year Board Service Award—Victims Assistance Law Enforcement Board, 2^nd Judicial District (Denver)

PROFESSIONAL/COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

Women’s Foundation of Colorado—Board of Trustees
Center for Legal Inclusiveness—Board of Directors; Strategic Planning Committee; Education Committee
Law School Yes We Can—Board of Directors
Colorado Women’s Bar Association—Co-Chair, Professional Advancement Committee
Colorado Bar Association—Co-Chair, Diversity in the Legal Profession Committee; Board of Governors; Economic Task Force
Denver Bar Association—Nominating Committee
Sam Cary Bar Association—Past President and Secretary
Pledge to Diversity Law Firm Group
Judicial Performance Commission—2^nd Judicial District
University of Denver Sturm College of Law—Chair, Alumni Council; Rocky Mountain Collective on Race, Place and Law
Stanley British Primary School—Diversity Committee
Colorado Academy—Multicultural Committee
Oberlin College—Class Agent; Co-Regional Coordinator; African-American Alumni
Association; Alumni Leadership Council
Pitzer College—Parent Leadership Council