Professor Ann England, a faculty member at the University of Colorado Law School, has received the Chase Faculty Community Service Award for her longstanding contributions to Colorado’s legal community. England is recognized for her work in defending the wrongfully convicted, training future lawyers, and offering pro bono legal services.
England serves as the Schaden Chair for Experiential Learning and Clinical Law Professor at Colorado Law. She directs the school’s Criminal Defense Clinic and is known for her volunteer efforts that have influenced students, colleagues, judges, and attorneys across Colorado and beyond.
In 2015, she founded the Korey Wise Innocence Project (KWIP) at Colorado Law with support from Korey Wise, who was exonerated as part of the Central Park Five case. The program now employs full-time attorneys and student advocates to provide free legal services to incarcerated individuals in Colorado with credible claims of innocence. KWIP also develops policy reform initiatives and offers educational programs on wrongful convictions to high school students. England continues to lead this project without compensation.
England co-leads the National College of Capital Voir Dire, a nonprofit organization that trains death penalty defense attorneys in jury selection methods. She organizes an annual conference at CU Boulder focused on teaching the “Colorado Method,” which has become a standard practice nationally in capital cases. Her work is credited with strengthening capital defense efforts across the country.
Before joining CU’s faculty, England worked nearly ten years as a public defender. She continues to represent low-income clients during summer months when students are away from campus. Colleagues note that she manages numerous cases each week with minimal support.
Her impact extends into municipal courts where she provides training to improve representation quality for low-income residents. Judges and attorneys have described her as an important resource for enhancing fairness in local courts.
Outside of her legal work, England serves on ACLU Colorado’s board, coaches high school mock trial teams, and contributes creative fundraising efforts for Boulder Valley Women’s Health Center by designing dresses made from condoms.
Former students describe England as a mentor whose guidance has shaped their careers and commitment to civic responsibility.
The selection committee cited both her direct advocacy—such as working on exonerations—and broader efforts like policy reform and mentorship in its decision to honor her. England will be recognized at a reception held at CU Boulder.
“Professor Ann England’s unwavering commitment to justice and tireless advocacy for the wrongfully convicted have transformed Colorado’s legal landscape, making her so deserving of the Chase Faculty Community Service Award,” said Joe Coleman, JPMorgan Chase business banking market manager. “Through founding the Korey Wise Innocence Project and leading national efforts in death penalty defense, she has inspired generations of lawyers and elevated the quality of representation for those most in need. JPMorgan Chase is proud to sponsor this award, celebrating extraordinary service and leadership that strengthens our communities and advances the cause of justice.”
The Chase Faculty Community Service Award was established in 1991 through a $100,000 donation from JPMorgan Chase Foundation via the CU Foundation endowment. The award grants $10,000 annually to a full-time University of Colorado faculty member who demonstrates exceptional community service.
