2026 DU Law Stars Honorees
The University of Denver has named its 2026 DU Law Stars honorees, who will be honored at an awards ceremony on November 4th. The ceremony will be held at The Welcome Center (formerly The Cable Center) at the University of Denver. Since 1993, DU Law Stars has recognized distinguished Sturm College of Law alumni and faculty for their outstanding achievements, and their contributions to the University of Denver and the Colorado legal community.
2026 DU Law Stars Honorees
Eric Hilty (JD’92), William L. Keating Outstanding Alumni Award
Eric Hilty has served as General Counsel of Tuff Shed, Inc. since 2020. As a member of the executive leadership team, Hilty provides legal and strategic counsel to the company, overseeing both the legal and safety departments. Prior to joining Tuff Shed, he served as Chief Legal Officer of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as well as Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for Apartment Investment and Management Company (AIMCO), where he led the company's litigation strategy. Earlier in his career, Hilty was a partner in the Commercial Litigation Group at Holland & Hart LLP in Denver following a judicial clerkship with Judge Wade Brorby of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. In addition to co-founding the nonprofit organization Invest in Kids, Hilty has maintained a lifelong commitment to the Sturm College of Law including teaching as an adjunct professor and supporting students in the Professional Mentoring Program. Hilty has served on the Law Alumni Council for twelve years, including as Chair, and recently joined the University of Denver Alumni Council.
Elizabeth “Liz” Espinosa Krupa (BA’91, JD’94), Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. Alumni Professionalism Award
Elizabeth Espinosa Krupa founded the Law Office of Elizabeth Espinosa Krupa, LLC in 2012 after serving as Assistant Regulation Counsel with the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel. Krupa also served as a Trial Attorney with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Denver Regional Office, and as a public defender in both state and federal courts. Krupa served as a board member and Vice President of the Hispanic National Bar Association, President of the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association and on the American Bar Association Professional Conduct Manual Editorial Board. She supports future lawyers through mentoring programs including Law School Yes We Can, the Latinas First Mentoring Circle, the Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program, and her work with the DU community as a mentor and former Law Alumni Council Member. A former adjunct professor and mock trial coach at Denver Law, Krupa is faculty and a board trustee of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Her honors include recognition by The Best Lawyers in America, Latino Leaders Magazine’s Top Latino Lawyers, the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association’s Chris Miranda and Community Service Awards, and the Latinas First Foundation’s Unsung Heroine Award.
Crist Whitney (JD’21), Bruce B. Johnson Outstanding Young Alumni Award
As an attorney at Rathod | Mohamedbhai LLC, Crist Whitney is a passionate representative for those that are less affluent and underrepresented. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law with a Certificate of Specialization in Constitutional Rights and Remedies. Whitney interned for Federal Magistrate Judge Kato Crews on the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, gaining valuable experience in employment law, anti-discrimination law, and civil rights law. He also has interned for the Alternate Defense Counsel as an advocate for the rights of juveniles to receive a proper education. Prior to law school, Whitney graduated from the University of Colorado Denver, summa cum laude, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science. Crist worked for the Denver Public Schools as a paraprofessional assisting special education and has volunteered his time working with at-risk students to prevent them from dropping out of high school. He is also an accomplished musician, author, and artist whose work aligns with his commitment to civil rights. He recently completed his term as President of the Sam Cary Bar Association.
Professor Tamara “Tammy” Kuennen, Robert B. Yegge Excellence in Teaching Award
Professor Tamara Kuennen teaches the Civil Litigation Clinic at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where student attorneys represent low-income individuals in civil legal matters including defending tenants being evicted, helping those experiencing domestic violence obtain protection orders, and representing people whose wages are not paid. Before joining Denver Law in 2004, Kuennen was a Women’s Law and Public Policy Fellow at Georgetown University Law Center. She also taught for two years in the Domestic Violence Clinic at Georgetown, earning an LLM degree in trial advocacy. Prior to teaching, Kuennen practiced at Legal Aid Services of Oregon for five years representing victims of domestic violence in a variety of civil cases, including protection orders, domestic relations, public benefits and civil rights litigation. Her published scholarship focuses on how the legal system may more effectively address intimate partner violence. Kuennen serves on the Children’s Task Force of the Colorado Lawyers Committee and has won several awards in the Denver community for her pro bono work, including Excellence in Litigation (Rocky Mountain Victim Law Center, 2022) and Pro Bono All-Star 2021 (Denver Bar Association, 2021).
