New Awards to Recognize Alumni for Mentorship, Diversity and Inclusion
Two new Dean鈥檚 Choice Awards established by the University of 欧美口爆视频 Law School鈥檚 Law Alumni Board will recognize alumni for their mentorship of other attorneys and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The new awards, each named for a distinguished 欧美口爆视频 Law alumnus, are the Brooke Wunnicke Outstanding Mentor Award and the Sonny Flowers Award.
The Brooke Wunnicke Outstanding Mentor Award recognizes alumni who are honored attorneys at law for ethical trial, appellate, or business practice and who have maintained an extraordinary ability to mentor and convey this dedication to other lawyers.

Brooke Wunnicke ('45)
Wunnicke, a 1945 graduate of 欧美口爆视频 Law, was a legal legend. She resided in Wyoming for many years and conducted jury trials when women were not legally allowed to sit on juries. She was the first woman to serve in 欧美口爆视频 as the Chief Appellate Deputy in the Denver District Attorney鈥檚 Office. Through her many years of dedicated service to the legal profession as a trial and appellate attorney, business advisor, mentor, adjunct professor, consultant, and published author, Wunnicke earned the distinction as one of 欧美口爆视频鈥檚 most honored legal professionals.
During her 12 years as Chief Appellate Deputy and her many years in private practice, Wunnicke mentored many young lawyers and law students to educate them on how to address the everyday challenges in the practice of law. Her "graduates" included one former 欧美口爆视频 governor, six district attorneys, and four recipients of 欧美口爆视频 Law distinguished alumnus awards.
"Brooke was the most extraordinary lawyer I ever knew.听The depth and breadth in which she practiced our profession with great skill emanated from her deep love of the law and an understanding of its profound importance in our society. One of her most remarkable skills was the ability to pass that deep love and understanding on to newer lawyers through her selfless mentoring. Many of us would not have the careers we enjoy if it had not been for Brooke," said Law Alumni Board member and immediate past chair of the nominating committee Mark Fogg (鈥�79).
The Sonny Flowers Award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion among the law school and legal profession, specifically including the advancement of individuals from underrepresented groups.

W. Harold "Sonny" Flowers Jr. ('71)
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Flowers' service to the 欧美口爆视频 legal community included the presidencies of the Sam Cary Bar Association, the Boulder County Bar Association, and the 欧美口爆视频 Trial Lawyers Association鈥檚 executive committee. He was a past president of the American Board of Trial Advocates, an invitation-only membership group of trial lawyers who represent both civil defendants and plaintiffs, and the American Association for Justice, where he served on its executive committee and board of governors. He also served as vice president of the 欧美口爆视频 Bar Association and the National Bar Association.
Over the decades he served the University of 欧美口爆视频 as president of the Alumni Association鈥檚 board of directors, chair of the 欧美口爆视频 Law Alumni Board, member of the 欧美口爆视频 Foundation board, and mentor of Black student-athletes. In 2016, he was recognized with the Alumni Association鈥檚 George Norlin Award. In 2020, he received 欧美口爆视频 Law鈥檚 Distinguished Achievement Award鈥擲olo/Small Firm Practitioner.
"Sonny had the character that lawyers should aspire to.听We tried an extremely difficult, emotional case against each other in the early 1990s with a lot of media attention. I emerged from that case with a deep respect for,听and friendship with, Sonny. You intuitively trusted him and he always interacted with warmth and compassion.听We need more lawyers like him," Fogg said.
The inaugural Sonny Flowers Award will be awarded at the 2021 Alumni Awards Celebration to the Hon. Gary Jackson (鈥�70).
These new awards join two existing Dean鈥檚 Choice Awards, the Dean Edward C. King Making a Difference Award and the Richard Schaden Adopted Alumnus Award. Each award is given at the annual Alumni Awards Banquet at the dean鈥檚 discretion.