Noah C. Patterson was honored last night with the 2023 Richard Marden Davis Award. The award celebrates his outstanding contributions to the legal community along with his demonstrated civic and charitable leadership.
The Davis Award is presented annually by Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP (DGS), the Denver Bar Association (DBA), and the Davis family “to a Denver lawyer who is 40 years old or younger and combines excellence as a lawyer with civic, cultural, educational, and charitable leadership.” DGS and the DBA created this honor in memory of Richard Marden Davis, one of the firm’s founders, 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.” Patterson follows a lineage of past winners who have continued to serve and make significant contributions to the Denver legal community.
“Noah’s exceptional legal skills, benevolence, and passion for advancing access to justice set an inspiring example for young lawyers,” said DGS co-managing partner Kristin Lentz. “We are thrilled to recognize Noah for his remarkable achievements, and we wish him continued success in using his talents for the greater good and creating a lasting impact in our community.”
Patterson received his J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and was a distinguished Chancellor’s Scholar, demonstrating his early dedication to public service. While at Denver Law, he remained steadfast in his commitment to the public interest. Patterson is currently a First Assistant Attorney General at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, where he leads a team of attorneys and legal professionals who represent state agencies in tax and TABOR litigation and perform general counsel work for the state. Patterson’s impactful work includes successfully defending the constitutionality of Colorado’s paid family and medical leave program in state district court and the Colorado Supreme Court. Previously an Assistant Solicitor General, Patterson assisted with appellate and complex legal matters throughout the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. During his career with the office, he received five Colorado Attorney General’s Awards for Exceptional Performance (from three different Attorneys General) and helped found two leading committees, the Office’s Fellowship Committee and the Ethics Advisory Committee. He has been honored with the DBA’s Access to Justice Committee Award for Pro Bono Service and was a past finalist for the CBA’s Gary McPherson Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. Earlier in his career, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Judge Diana Terry of the Colorado Court of Appeals.
Altruistic in his dedication to furthering access to justice efforts in Colorado, he has leveraged his prowess as a lawyer and leader to benefit the legal and broader communities. Patterson has worked as a volunteer attorney in the Metro Volunteer Lawyers’ post-decree clinic since 2014. His experience and enthusiasm have led him to serve on the advisory board, where he continues to support the organization’s work. Patterson has co-authored multiple articles regarding access to justice issues that have been published by The Colorado Lawyer and the Colorado Access to Justice Commission. Patterson co-chaired the DBA’s Access to Justice Committee for six years and currently serves as a DBA representative on the CBA’s Board of Governors. He is also a mentor of Law School... Yes We Can, as well as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado. Patterson has served on the Colorado Supreme Court’s Rules of Professional Conduct Standing Committee since he was appointed by the Court in 2018.