Even after he graduated from the University of Colorado Law School in 1968, Jack Hyatt never stopped supporting CU Boulder. Along with two of his childhood friends and law school classmates, Hyatt founded Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP, one of the nation鈥檚 most prestigious law firms, in 1968. An avid Buffs fan, Hyatt and his wife Andrea remained involved with the university in a variety of ways for most of his life. He recognized the importance of his CU Boulder education and knew that he wanted to make a difference for future generations of students.
Following Hyatt鈥檚 death on March 11, 2017, at the age of 75, his legacy continues with bequests of $100,000 to Colorado Law and $50,000 to the College of Arts and Sciences, where he earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in mathematics in 1962. The was born.
Last year, Aaron Hyatt (鈥�01), Jack鈥檚 nephew and shareholder at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP, and his wife Niah made a significant contribution to the fund in Jack鈥檚 name, and, earlier this month, the firm committed $50,000 to the fund.
鈥淭he firm and the Hyatt family are honored to be a part of carrying on Jack鈥檚 legacy,鈥� Aaron Hyatt said in a . 鈥淛ack cared deeply for the university, and this scholarship reflects Jack's passion for the law and his compassion for others.鈥�
鈥淛ack Hyatt represented the best of Colorado Law," said S. James Anaya, dean and Charles Inglis Thomson Professor at Colorado Law. 鈥淭he Jack N. Hyatt Endowed Scholarship ensures that future students will be able to access a first-rate legal education, so that they can make their own mark on the legal profession.鈥�
Adam Agron, the firm鈥檚 managing partner, said: 鈥淛ack was instrumental in leading the firm鈥檚 commitment to the Colorado community. We are so pleased to help carry on Jack鈥檚 legacy both at the firm and now with a new generation of legal scholars.鈥�
In a statement to the firm, Norm Brownstein (鈥�68) and Steve Farber (鈥�68) wrote of Hyatt:
鈥淲e all grew up within three blocks of each other in west Denver. After graduating from the University of Colorado Law School, and after seven years together as students, we pooled our resources and opened our own law firm. Nearly 50 years later, the firm is still thriving, reflecting Jack's indelible imprint and his unwavering focus on excellence, fairness and collaboration. Jack was instrumental in leading the firm's commitment to the Denver community. He was active in the Jewish Federation, with Mental Health America of Colorado and the University of Colorado Law School. Jack was a devoted family man, a colleague, a friend and a brother to us both. Along with Aaron Hyatt, Jack's nephew, we will ensure that the firm carries on Jack's legacy of love and respect for the law and his devotion to family.鈥�
The first Jack N. Hyatt Endowed Scholarship will be awarded in fall 2018.
To learn more about leaving a legacy gift to Colorado Law, please contact Jessica Helzer, assistant dean for advancement, at jessica.helzer@colorado.edu.