Siddhartha Rathod is this year’s recipient of the Colorado Bar Association’s Gary L. McPherson Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year, which recognizes the civic and professional achievement of lawyers early in their careers. Nominees are required to have an exemplary record of professional success, community service achievements, a strong commitment to civic participation, and a dedication to inspiring others to participate in community service.What’s your day job?
I am a Colorado Deputy State Public Defender in the Denver trial office. I represent Colorado’s indigent population in state criminal matters.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
Being part of a team. As a Public Defender I have the privilege of working, both in Denver and state wide, with some of the most talented attorneys, investigators, and administrative staff. These individuals are dedicated to providing the highest level of legal representation to Colorado’s indigent population. More significantly, they form the basis of a support network that allows and encourages the highest level of legal representation.
I know it takes more than a day job to win this honor. What else are you working on?
I try to stay actively involved in my community. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for Family Tree, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people overcome child abuse, domestic violence, and homelessness to become safe, strong, and self-reliant. In addition, I am a member of the Advisory Counsel for the Veterans Jail Diversion Trauma Recover Program, a grant-based project designed to reduce jail time and provide services to military members facing criminal charges who suffer with mental health issues. Both of these groups have allowed me to serve my community and to contribute on a personal level to causes I believe in.
I noticed that you started the Diversity Committee at University of Colorado School of Law. What prompted that and what does the Diversity Committee do?
The University of Colorado School of Law Diversity Committee was founded as part of CU’s commitment to fostering a atmosphere dedicated to inclusiveness and understanding. As a law student I was actively involved in several different diversity student groups. The Diversity Committee was a way to unite these organizations and others with law school faculty and staff to effect positive change on a school wide level. The Diversity Committee completed a number of tasks, including a student body climate survey and coordinating a series of small group talks over a year long period, culminating in a series of written proposals on how to improve the law school climate.
Do you have any recommendations on how new attorneys can make their marks in the community?
Get involved outside of work. Whether you volunteer with a non-profit group, mentor high school students, or are active in a specialty bar association, simply doing something outside of the office to improve your community is a rewarding and worthwhile endeavor. The most satisfying experiences I have had are where I have been able to serve my community by pairing a personal interest or skill with a cause. There are countless organizations, associations, and groups just waiting for volunteers so get involved.
Related posts:
