Research & Scholarship 

Catalyzed by a $414,000 grant from The Gateway Fund II of The Denver Foundation, and a subsequent $25,000 grant from The Denver Foundation’s Immigrant Legal Services Fund, the University of Denver Sturm College of Law has launched a new Immigration Justice Project designed to expand the provision of legal services to individuals facing immigration-related legal challenges, heighten awareness of issues at the intersection of immigration and criminal law, and jumpstart careers in the public interest focused on immigration law.

When professors, veterans, and law students join efforts, impressive solutions are possible. In the case of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, that solution is the groundbreaking pro-bono Veterans Advocacy Project (VAP), which is making monumental strides in veteran legal services.

The European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, has awarded a €300,000 ($350,000) grant to four universities including the University of Denver to develop a “transatlantic-based” law school course that will compare European Union and United States climate change and energy transition policies, laws, and practices.

Associate Professor Margaret Kwoka received the Pro Bono Achievement Award from the Animal Legal Defense Fund, recognizing her exemplary efforts for animals. She received the award at their third annual gala held in Los Angeles on September 8, 2018 where guests learned about the ALDF’s recent victories on behalf of animals. Net proceeds from the gala help fulfill their mission to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. Pictured with Kwoka is ALDF’s Pro Bono Program Director Tom Linney, Executive Director Steve Wells and Founder & General Counsel Joyce Tischler.

A recent $687,000 gift from the Arnold & Porter Foundation to the University of Denver will create two new endowed scholarships at the Sturm College of Law to support outstanding students with a demonstrated commitment to civil liberties and civil rights. The gift also will support a strategic litigation fund designed to advance the nationally recognized work of the law school’s Civil Rights Clinic, part of its No. 8-ranked clinical program.