STUDENT ORG SPOTLIGHT - Public Defense Student Association
Colorado Law is home to nearly 50 active student organizations. These organizations empower law students to increase their knowledge, gain leadership experience, network, and collaborate with the legal community鈥攁ll while building connections with classmates that will last throughout their careers and beyond.
President Evan Grossmann 鈥27 and Vice-President Linnea Lindeman 鈥27
In this series, we are highlighting extraordinary organizations run by Colorado Law students.
Meet the Public Defense Student Association (PDSA) at Colorado Law.听
The association is run by President听Evan Grossmann听鈥27, Vice-President Linnea Lindeman听鈥27, Treasurer Joshua Cary听鈥27, Events Chair Tessa Bailon Armendariz听鈥27, and Body-Worn Camera Organizer Jeff Caldwell听鈥27. Professor Jonathan Booth is the Faculty Advisor.听
This current iteration of the PDSA was formed during the 2023-2024 school year. The club was operational in the past, but after a period of several years where the association did not run, the group was officially reformed.听
The primary goal of PDSA is to create opportunities for students to express and discover their interest in public defense. Grossmann notes that this association seeks to help interested students gain valuable insight and knowledge about and to create a professional network of students and attorneys within the field.
鈥淧ersonally, PDSA has given me the opportunity to create a large network of individuals with whom I share career goals, life experiences, and more. I have also been fortunate enough to work with a wonderful group of colleagues on the PDSA executive board that have helped me engage more with the greater law school community,鈥 added Grossmann.听
PDSA hosts numerous events both on and off campus every semester for students to meet and engage with public defenders and public defender-adjacent individuals. PDSA predominantly hosts informative lunch meetings during the school year. At these events, students have the opportunity to hear from panelists, who share their insight and expertise in the field of public defense.听
Additionally, PDSA hosts social outings in the community to give students an opportunity to meet public defenders and network in a more informal setting. Through these events, we hope students are able to have their questions answered and ultimately be inspired to pursue a career in public defense.
To get involved with PDSA, students can email听PDSA@colorado.edu.听听