Cristal Torres DeHerrera Recognized With 2016 Davis Award

Cristal Torres DeHerrera was honored last night with the 2016 Richard Marden Davis Award at a dinner. The award recognizes her outstanding service to the legal community, along with her civic and charitable leadership.

The Davis Award is presented annually “to a Denver lawyer who is 40 years old or younger and combines excellence as a lawyer with civic, cultural, educational, and charitable leadership.” The award was created in memory of Richard Marden Davis, one of the founders of Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP, who devoted himself tirelessly to the profession and the community. Each honoree “best exemplifies the character and promise of Richard Davis at that stage in his career.” Ms. DeHerrera follows a long line of past winners who have continued to serve the Denver legal community.

Ms. DeHerrera is Deputy City Attorney for the City of Denver and recently served as Acting City Attorney. She advises the Mayor and the City on a wide range of legal, policy, and agency issues. As the Deputy City Attorney, she takes the lead on negotiations with several of City’s largest contracts as well as defending the City in all legal matters. Ms. DeHerrera serves as chair for both the Executive Oversight Committee for the National Western Center and the Governance and Policy committee for the “Next Stage.” Before taking on her current role at the City, she was a shareholder at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, where her practice focused on mergers and acquisitions, public and private securities, and private equity.

Ms. DeHerrera is also involved in numerous community organizations that are important to her personally. She works closely with the Rocky Mountain Youth Clinic, the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association, the Downtown Denver Partnership, and the Denver Public Library. Ms. DeHerrera frequently speaks to local at-risk youth and offers her services as a mentor for organizations like Law School Yes We Can. The Denver Business Journal recently named her a 40 Under 40 honoree and she was recognized by Law Week Colorado as a Compleat Lawyer.

"Ms. DeHerrera is an extraordinary lawyer and a gift to the Denver community. She works tirelessly to break down barriers and empower the disenfranchised,” said Chad Williams, Co-Managing Partner at DGS. “She is truly deserving of this award and our city is lucky to be the home of such a dedicated individual.”

About the Richard Marden Davis Award

Richard Davis’ family, his law firm Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP, and the Denver Bar Foundation established this award in his memory in 1993, honoring his belief that great lawyers should be professional and community leaders. The award was created not only to recognize successful and committed young lawyers, but also to inspire other young attorneys to follow in his footsteps. For nearly 50 years, Davis tirelessly devoted himself to the profession and the community. He served as President of the Denver Bar Association in 1959, and he played key leadership roles in arts, philanthropic and other organizations. For more information, visit dgslaw.com/who-we-are/davis-award.

About the Denver Bar Association

The Denver Bar Association was founded in 1891 with the commitment to promote justice, support and assist member attorneys in delivering legal service and uphold the honor and dignity of the bar. The association likewise works to foster respect for the legal profession, encourage ongoing legal education and offers resources for the media and the public on legal issues. For more information, visit denbar.org.