DENVER— The Colorado Lawyer Trust Account Foundation (COLTAF) and the Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado announced today the selection of Jordan Bates-Rogers to be their new Executive Director, effective December 29, 2023. Bates-Rogers will succeed the organization’s long-time Executive Director, Diana Poole, who is retiring after serving in that role for the last 18 years. Both organizations develop resources to support Colorado’s civil legal aid delivery system and other access-to-justice initiatives, including specifically Colorado Legal Services, Colorado’s statewide nonprofit legal aid program that provides free legal assistance in civil matters to low-income individuals and seniors throughout the state.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jordan as our next Executive Director,” said Jay Sturhahn, Chair of the Legal Aid Foundation’s Board of Trustees. “He is an impressive and inspiring leader, with a demonstrated commitment to improving access to civil justice.” Echoing Sturhahn’s enthusiasm, COLTAF Board President Chuong Le added, “Jordan brings with him the right skill set, as well as new energy and ideas to move both organizations forward.”
“Under Jordan’s leadership, the future of both organizations is bright,” said outgoing Executive Director Poole. “I am committed to providing support through the transition, and I look forward to the organizations’ continued success in developing and deploying resources to improve and expand access to justice.”
Bates-Rogers is currently the Executive Director of the Arkansas Access to Justice Commission & Foundation, which, among other things, administer Arkansas’s IOLTA program. “I look forward to working with the legal community to ensure that every low-income Coloradan gets the legal help they need when facing a potentially life-altering crisis. By advocating for robust funding for legal services, COLTAF and the Legal Aid Foundation provide help and hope to Coloradans in need. I am excited to join this team and build on the many achievements of my predecessor, Diana Poole.” said Bates-Rogers.
Bates-Rogers’ selection was the result of a search process conducted by the president and vice-president of the COLTAF Board, the chair and vice-chair of the Legal Aid Foundation Board, and a former Colorado Bar Association president, who has chaired both the COLTAF and Legal Aid Foundation boards in the past, and is also a past chair of the Colorado Access to Justice Commission. Matt Baca, Executive Director of Colorado Legal Services, commented that, “We are fortunate to continue our partnership with COLTAF and the Legal Aid Foundation under Jordan’s leadership. The financial support of those organizations is critical in helping the dedicated lawyers at Colorado Legal Services provide access to justice to those Coloradans most in need.”
About Colorado Lawyer Trust Account Foundation (COLTAF): COLTAF is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that receives the interest earned on lawyers’ pooled trust accounts, pursuant to the Rules of Professional Conduct governing Colorado lawyers. With these funds, COLTAF makes grants to support the civil legal aid delivery system and access to justice for low-income and other vulnerable Coloradans. For more information, please visit www.coltaf.org.
About Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado: The Legal Aid Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that increases access to justice for low-income Coloradans by raising money for Colorado Legal Services, Colorado’s statewide nonprofit legal aid program, which provides civil legal assistance to low-income individuals and seniors throughout the state. For more information about the Legal Aid Foundation or to make a donation, please visit legalaidfoundation.org. For more information about Colorado Legal Services or to apply for services, please visit coloradolegalservices.org.