Charitable Organizations Transformed Erik Estrada’s Life—Now This DU Law Grad is Paying It Forward
For Erik Estrada (JD ’09), charitable organizations were a lifeline—one that shaped his path, fueled his purpose, and ultimately inspired a book now adopted by Harvard Law School.
Some of Estrada’s earliest memories are of standing in line at a food bank in Boulder, Colorado. Raised by young parents with very limited financial resources, he relied on food banks and charitable organizations—a necessity that ultimately shaped his future success. Through the generosity of these organizations, he discovered his academic potential, forged a career in the nonprofit and philanthropic space, and co-founded a successful boutique law firm. Today, he is able to give back, including supporting various students at DU’s Sturm College of Law.
With firsthand experience of philanthropy’s impact, Estrada launched his career in the philanthropic sector, quickly rising to leadership positions. To lead effectively in the philanthropic space, he recognized the need to master its legal and financial complexities. This led him to further his education, attending DU’s Sturm College of Law as a Chancellor’s Scholar—a full-tuition scholarship program for students with outstanding academic records and a commitment to public service.
“I was really welcomed at Sturm, where many faculty and students share a public service ethic,” Estrada says. “Being a Chancellor’s Scholar was a key to my success, especially with the support of professors such as Dr. Jay Brown and Visiting Lecturer Susannah Pollvogt from Yale Law School, for whom I was a teaching assistant. Their mentorship strongly influenced my career direction.”
During law school, Estrada distinguished himself academically, earning Phi Delta Phi Academic Society honors and clerking for U.S. District Court Judge Robert Blackburn. After earning his J.D., he graduated with a Master of Laws (LL.M.) at Boston University’s School of Law, all while serving as a corporate attorney and foundation general counsel. His achievements earned him various recognitions, including being named to the Denver Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” and being personally selected by then-Gov. Hickenlooper as an inaugural fellow in the Colorado Governor’s Fellowship Program.
This diverse experience prepared Estrada for what he had always envisioned: assisting private foundations and nonprofits with experiential, financial and legal knowledge. To fulfill this mission, he co-founded Sector Law with colleagues from Wilson Sonsini, a boutique law firm dedicated to serving impactful, mission-driven organizations. At Sector Law, Estrada and his colleagues have revolutionized legal services for the philanthropic sector—introducing a transparent, flat-fee pricing model that allows mission-driven organizations to focus on impact, not invoices.
Beyond his legal career, Estrada remains a lifelong learner. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Affairs “for fun,” a testament to his intellectual curiosity. He also authored Understanding Nonprofit Law and Finance, a best-selling legal text adopted by Harvard Law School, and teaches as an adjunct professor at CU and DU. Additionally, he serves as a board member and trustee for numerous charitable and philanthropic organizations throughout the State of Colorado.
Most importantly, Estrada prioritizes giving back. As a Trustee of El Pomar Foundation, he directed his annual trustee gift to the Sturm College of Law’s Ascent Program—a pre-orientation initiative that supports incoming law students from communities historically underrepresented in the legal profession. Ascent provides academic advising, mentorship, exam preparation, and career support, along with clothing stipends to help students acquire professional attire.
Estrada’s personal connection to Ascent made his support even more meaningful. “As a first-generation law student, I deeply relate to the challenges these students face. Investing in their success is my way of honoring the support I once received.”
Jessica Boynton, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and one of the program’s directors, highlights the impact of El Pomar’s gift: “Thanks to this support, we provided clothing stipends, mentorship, and community-building events that set our incoming law students up for success.” With a mission set by El Pomar founders, Julie and Spencer Penrose, focused on enhancing, encouraging, and promoting the well-being of Coloradans, this nicely complements the Foundation’s two-decade history of grants to the university for program and capital projects.
From standing in line at food banks to co-founding a successful law firm and supporting future legal professionals, Estrada’s journey is a testament to perseverance and the power of philanthropy. His success has never been about external recognition, but rather about paying forward the support he once received.
At DU’s Sturm College of Law, the Ascent Program welcomes and supports underrepresented students who have the talent and dedication to succeed. To learn more about the program and how you can invest in the next generation of law students, contact Executive Director of Development, Kelly Hall at kelly.hall@du.edu.
