The Sonny Flowers Award of Merit

The Award of Merit is the highest honor given to a member of the Boulder County Bar Association. It is presented to a Boulder County lawyer in recognition of their substantial dedication to the legal process: an unsung hero whose contributions may have gone unnoticed, but who personifies the very best in the profession. The Award of Merit was given out concurrently with the Ron Porter award until 2003 when the two awards were merged into the Ron Porter Award of Merit. In 2021, the Award of Merit was renamed in honor of Sonny Flowers.

Please find the current award recipient's award presentation and acceptance video below

Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year

The Young Lawyer Award is presented in recognition of the achievement of a lawyer in practice in Boulder County who has been admitted into the bar for less than 5 years, or who is 37 years old or younger; whose energy, enthusiasm and ability have contributed significantly during the past year through volunteer services to the community, bar association activities or significant legal achievements. 

Please find the current award recipient's award presentation and acceptance video below

John Marshall Pro Bono Award

This award is given to a BCBA member who has contributed significant legal services for the poor and elderly. The nominee is presented for approval by the Availability of Legal Services Committee of the bar. This award is presented yearly at the Boulder County Legal Services annual Pro Bono Awards Luncheon.

Paul Bierbaum Memorial Fellowship

2018 was the inaugural year for the newly established Paul Bierbaum Memorial Fellowship in memory of his tireless support of legal services for the underserved and his compassionate engagement in causes furthering access to justice for the poor and the vulnerable. The first recipient of this award is Lindsey Rawson Van Wyk, who will intern for Boulder County Legal Services under funds provided by the fellowship. 

Sonny Flowers Award of Merit Recipients

2022 - Star Waring - video link

2021 - Beth Klein - video link


Ron Porter Award of Merit Recipients

2020 - Due to pandemic, no award given

2019 - Rich Irvin

2018 - Melody Fuller

2017 - Richard Lyons

2016 - James Christoph

2015 - Susan Spaulding

2014 - Sonny Flowers

2013 - James Buchanan

2012 - Stan Garnett

2011 - Alex Garlin

2010 - Norm Aaronson

2009 - Barton Balis

2008 - David Wymore

2007 - Peter Dietze

2006 - William Meyer

2005 - George Johnson

2004 - H. Patrick Furman

2003 - Christine Coates


Ron Porter Award Recipients

2001 - Jon Kottke

2000 - Ron Jung

1998 - Rick Sampson

1997 - Sharon Svendsen

1996 - Paul Bierbaum

1995 - Allan Beezley

1994 - Claudia Bayliff


Outstanding Young Lawyer Recipients

2022 - Carly Bovey - video link

2021 - Jordan Edmondson - video link

2020 - Due to pandemic, no award given

2019 - William Doyle Bode 

2018 - Lys Runnerstrom

2017 - Lovel Tokic

2016 - Elyse Maranjian

2015 - Lila Sol

2014 - Josh Anderson

2013 - Brandy Rothman

2012 - Bruce Wiener

2010 - Lauren Ivison

2009 - David Pacheco

2008 - Jared Crain

2007 - Mike Rafik

2005 - Denean Hill

2004 - Connie Eyster

2003 - Jennifer Sullivan

2001 - Richard Peddie

1999 - Jon Banashek

1998 - Norma Sierra

1997 - Andre Adeli

1996 - Carmen Danielson

1995 - J.M. Stanlee West-Watt

1994 - Harvey Cohen

1993 - Michael Miner

1992 - J. Marcus Painter

1991 - Guy Greenstein

1990 - Edith Stevens

1989 - Elaine Johnson

1988 - Seth Benezra

1987 - Christie Coates 



John Marshall Pro Bono Award Recipients

2021 - Due to pandemic, no award given

2020 - Due to pandemic, no award given

2019 - Michael Morphew

2018 - Judson Hite

2017 - Ron Jung

2016 - Louisa Young 

2015 - Tucker Katz

2014 - Howard Bernstein

2013 - Helen Stone

2012 - Mary Street

2011 - Rachel Lattimer

2010 - Elizabeth Brodsky

2009 - Bruce Warren

2008 - Tanya Shimer

2007 - Peggy Goodbody

2006 - Mike Ruderman

2005 - Bev Nelson

2004 - Susan Bryant

2003 - Christina Ebner

2002 - Kim Gent

2001 - John Gaddis

2000 - William Benjamin

1999 - Norman Aaronson

1998 - Robert Cooper

1997 - Martha Ridgway

1996 - Robert Lanham

1995 - William Cohen

1994 - Paul Bierbaum

1993 - Michael Miner

1992 - Melody Fuller

1991 - Chris Jeffers

1990 - Stephen Briggs


Award of Merit Recipients

2000 - E. Gregory Martin

1999 - Richard Nehls

1998 - Ann Mygatt

1997 - Christopher Brauchli

1996 - Stanley Black

1996 - Helen Stone

1995 - Jean Dubofsky

1994 - Richard Hanson

1993 - Paul Snyder, Jr.

1992 - Peggy Jessel

1991 - Keith Zook

1990 - Harry Holmes

1989 - Peter Hofstrom

1988 - Clifford Calhoun






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Boulder, CO 80301

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