In Memoriam: Sonny Flowers ('71), Prominent Boulder Attorney and Champion for Diversity
W. Harold "Sonny" Flowers Jr. ('71), a prominent Boulder attorney known for his perseverance and efforts to make ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Boulder and the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Law School more inclusive,.ÌýÌý
Flowers was an integral part of the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Law School and ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Boulder communities for the last 50 years. He served as a champion for diversity at ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Law, traveling the state to recruit students of color, helping to establish ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Boulder’s Black Alumni Association, and creating an endowed scholarship for students of color at both ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Law and the University of Denver.
A litigator with Boulder’s Hurth, Sisk & Blakemore, LLP, Flowers was a leader in ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥â€™s legal community whose service included the presidencies of the Sam Cary Bar Association, the Boulder County Bar Association, and the ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Trial Lawyers Association.
Over the decades he served the University of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ as president of the Alumni Association’s board of directors, chair of the ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Law Alumni Board, member of the ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Foundation board, and mentor of Black student-athletes. In 2016, he was recognized with the Alumni Association’s George Norlin Award. This year, he received ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Law’sÌýDistinguished Achievement Award—Solo/Small Firm Practitioner.
Flowers at a law school event in 2019.
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Professor Anna Spain Bradley recalled that Flowers fought for social justice and racial equality since he was a college student at ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ in the 1960s. She said that Flowers "made ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ and Boulder a better place for so many, including me and my family."Ìý
"I will remember Sonny for his strength, incredible perseverance, and good humor. He had the best laugh," she said, sharing Flowers' words in a recent message he sent her: "With enough voices, mountains may indeed be moved!"
Flowers' life and contributions to the law school will be celebrated at the virtual Alumni Awards Banquet on Sept. 23.
The family requests that donations in Flowers' memory be directed to theÌý.
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[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJhvoqSclN4]