Clara A. Wilbrandt

Clara is a graduate of both the University of Colorado’s School of Arts and Sciences and its Law School. Clara was admitted to the Colorado Bar in 2009.

Clara’s road to the law was a long and circuitous one. Following stints as a ski instructor, cooking teacher, caterer and bed and breakfast proprietor, Clara returned to finish college in the wake of a difficult divorce. With her children in tow, Clara received a Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude with distinction from the University of Colorado in May 2004 and enrolled in law school the next year. Clara notes that her crowning achievement as a first year law student was her receipt of the much coveted grand prize in the law school chili cook-off for her “Habeus Porkus” green chili with pork and posole. During her second year of law school, still heady from her chili cook-off victory, Clara began to focus on the study of family law. To expand her knowledge beyond the law school classroom, Clara interned with two Denver District Court judges both of whom had a domestic relations docket. Clara graduated from law school with a Juvenile and Family Law Certificate with honors.

Clara has three children, not surprisingly all good cooks and great skiers. Between her family obligations and her law practice, Clara does not have any spare time. If she did, she likes to think that she would spend it listening to opera while napping on a beach, however, she realizes that she would probably fritter it away trying to get caught up on the laundry.

Education

  • University of Colorado Law School — J.D. 2008
    Juvenile and Family Law Certificate with honors
    Pro Bono Service Award
    Grand Prize: Chili Cook-off, spring 2006 for “Habeus Porkus” green chili
  • University of Colorado — B.A. 2004 Women’s Studies major/Ethnic Studies minor
    Summa Cum Laude with distinction
    Colorado Dean’s Scholar
    Jacob Van Ek Award: Outstanding Scholarship and Service
    Phi Beta Kappa
    Dept. Honors: 2004 Outstanding Graduate in Women’s Studies Award

Professional Memberships

  • Colorado Bar Association, Family Law Section
  • Denver Bar Association
  • 1st Judicial District Bar Association
  • Rhone Brackett Inn of Court
  • Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
  • CBA Family Law and ADR sections

Pro Bono and Community Service

  • Metro Volunteer Lawyers, family law program, pro bono attorney 2009 to 2014
  • Colorado Supreme Court pro bono Legal Services Recognition 2012
  • Urban Peaks Youth Shelter, volunteer cook, 2004 and 2005
  • Grand County Advocates, Board of Directors, 2003 and 2004