The Spence Law Firm Receives the 2025 Champion of Justice Award from the Wyoming State Bar

The Spence Law Firm was honored to receive the 2025 Champion of Justice Award from the Wyoming State Bar. This award, accepted by Bryan Ulmer, recognized the Firm’s significant pro bono contributions and advocacy efforts, reflecting our core values as Wyoming lawyers. The Champion of Justice Award honors those who demonstrate exceptional dedication, leadership, and impact in advancing justice through legal advocacy, impactful initiatives, mentorship, and community engagement.

Over the past year, our attorneys and staff have devoted hundreds of volunteer hours across Wyoming, providing direct legal services at no cost or at significantly reduced fees. This includes more than 74 hours of assistance through the Equal Justice Wyoming Volunteer Attorney Reference Desk, where Mike Lutz (Sublette County), Emily Rankin and Alicia Evans (Teton County), and Emily Madden and Jason Neville (Natrona County) advised self-represented litigants. Paralegal Candace Anderson contributed over 350 hours to the Court Navigator Program, supporting self-represented individuals and expanding access to justice statewide. Emily Madden was appointed by Judge Alan B. Johnson to represent a pro se inmate challenging the constitutionality of a Wyoming statute limiting post-conviction DNA testing. In addition to litigating the case in federal court, she drafted and successfully advanced legislation to amend the statute, which took effect on July 1, 2025. Emily has provided over 200 hours of pro bono service to this case thus far. 

Our commitment to pro bono service is also reflected in Lawyers & Advocates for Wyoming (L.A.W.), a nonprofit organization providing legal representation to individuals who cannot afford counsel. L.A.W. is led by Mark Aronowitz and a Board composed entirely of attorneys from The Spence Law Firm, who volunteer their time and expertise to oversee operations, advise on cases, and directly represent clients. Matters handled through L.A.W. are frequently taken on either a full pro bono basis or at a substantially reduced rate, with all recovered fees reinvested to support future clients in need. 

Beyond casework, Spence attorneys actively contribute to the legal community through service with organizations such as the Wyoming State Bar and the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association (WTLA). Many of our lawyers serve on boards and committees throughout the state, dedicating hundreds of hours each year to strengthening Wyoming’s legal system. We are proud of the impact our work has on the lives of people across Wyoming and look forward to continuing to help those in need.