The John Marshall Award was created in the early 1980's to annually recognize a local attorney for his or her dedication, energy, and enthusiasm in undertaking volunteer legal service to the less fortunate of Boulder County. The award recognizes an attorney who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to a pro bono publico service, to honor the memory of John Robert Marshall, an attorney who served the poor with competence and compassion.

This year the Boulder County Bar is pleased to present this award to Tanya Shimer, an attorney who has been recognized for many years for her outstanding volunteer service. In 2007, she volunteered over 700 pro bono service hours, as she had done in 2006.

Tanya recently reflected that she applied to law school with all of the idealism many applicants have - with a special interest in access to justice for those who do not have a voice in our legal system, of saving the world and helping the less fortunate. Her primary focus in law school was environmental law and Indian law - with the full intention of working with or for an environmental group or practicing Indian law. This all changed with her first job out of law school when she became the first lend-a-lawyer sponsored by the Colorado Bar Association at BCLS. As a lend-a-lawyer she worked at BCLS full time, on a stipend and was thrown head first into practicing poverty law and learning about the poverty law issues faced by BCLS clients.

Tanya realized that she didn't have to go to the Navaho Nation or work for the Environmental Defense Fund to fuel her desire to "do good." She found her calling right here in Boulder County helping those struggling to survive in a legal system they could not afford, let alone understand.

Subsequent to her time as a lend-a-Iawyer, she volunteered at BCLS and served on its volunteer and contract panel ever since, realizing she need go no further than her own backyard to fulfill her mission of providing access to justice to the poor and vulnerable. Quickly becoming aware of the challenges of such a small office, she graciously served as a "stop gap" at BCLS. Last year she got the very rare MVP award from BCLS for her outstandingcontribution during staff transition times when her ability to fill many roles was very much needed.

BCLS Managing Attorney Joel Hayes describes Tanya as the only person in BCLS history who has filled in for every staff member in the three person office. In 2006, she filled in for a month while a new pro bono coordinator was being hired. She has filled in for case intake for the managing attorney, and has even filled in for the secretary. In addition to that, she has taken pro bono cases, and has volunteered at the BCLS pro se clinic. And, just recently, when BCLS moved its office, Tanya was there helping with the packing.

"First she will do anything that we need help with, and so at one point or another has filled in every conceivable role we have at BCLS. She has answered the phone, has run the conflict and data entry programs, administered the pro bono program, interviewed clients, supervised the volunteers when they interviewed clients, and handled contract and pro bono cases.

Second, she actually seems to prefer to help the most challenging clients with the most challenging
cases. Mental illness, behavioral disorders, and drug addictions are all par for the course as far as Tanya is concerned. And because she believes in her clients' cases so completely, she generally can convince the housing authority attorney, landlord or social worker on the other side that her client deserves the accommodation, public benefit or second chance s/he needs.

Third, she sees the humor in every situation; especially when it is at her expense. This makes the stressful times at the office easier and the fun times even more fun. She has been the friend of every person who worked in the office. She listens to, talks to and supports everyone who works here."

Congratulations, Tanya!