History & Vision
Our History | The Colorado Office of Attorney Professional Excellence (APEX) traces its roots to 2013, when the Colorado Supreme Court established the Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program (CAMP). Born from a vision to support new and transitioning lawyers, CAMP set out to foster professional pride, ethical practice, and the adoption of the legal profession’s core values. Initially serving new lawyers, the program soon expanded to reach attorneys at every career stage through traditional, informal, and circle mentoring models. Over the years, CAMP gained recognition for its comprehensive mentoring curriculum, its use of innovative technology to support mentoring relationships, and its deep commitment to promoting professionalism, ethics, and lawyer well-being across Colorado. In 2022, CAMP expanded its impact by acquiring Legal Entrepreneurs for Justice (LEJ), a small business incubator for socially conscious lawyers and licensed legal paraprofessionals. LEJ helps lawyers and LLPs build sustainable practices that deliver affordable, predictable, and accessible legal services to Coloradans who fall into the “justice gap”—those earning too much to qualify for free legal aid, but not enough to pay traditional hourly legal fees. Through training, mentoring, and resources, LEJ equips legal entrepreneurs to reimagine how legal services are delivered and to improve access to justice in Colorado. The following year, in 2023, CAMP launched the Colorado Supreme Court Well-Being Recognition Program for Legal Employers—the first program of its kind in the nation. This initiative recognizes solo practitioners, firms, and organizations that commit to meaningful well-being strategies, helping to shift the culture of law toward healthier, more sustainable models of practice. In 2025, reflecting its expanded mission, CAMP rebranded as the Colorado Office of Attorney Professional Excellence (APEX). This evolution reflects a broader commitment: not only to mentoring, but to championing civility, competence, innovation, and well-being as cornerstones of Colorado’s legal profession. Today, APEX serves as a statewide hub for professional excellence in law. Its work encompasses:
At its heart, APEX remains guided by the belief that civility is not just courtesy, but a professional competency that drives better outcomes, builds trusted reputations, and creates healthier workplaces. Excellence, in turn, is civility in action—where technical skill meets integrity, humility, and respect. Our vision is a future where Colorado’s legal professionals thrive—practicing law with purpose, excellence, and connection, in service of both their clients and their communities. |
Our Vision |