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OUTLaw President Caleb Kirk, left, presents the award to Michael Smith.

Michael Smith (’26) grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but he says generations of family ties to Colorado drew him back for “an elite legal education while continuing my family’s contribution to this great state.”

Now he’s making his own contributions in Colorado as a 2026 law school graduate and recipient of the Outstanding OUTLaw Student Award.��

OUTLaw provides professional, social and academic support for LGBTQ+ law students and allies while uplifting, celebrating and protecting diverse identities in the legal field.��

Smith said winning the award, presented by club President Caleb Kirk in April 2026, was an emotional moment.

“The LGBTQ+ legal community in Colorado and at CU Law is something truly special,” he said. “OUTLaw is one of the biggest clubs on campus, and the sense of pride I felt at CU was unlike anything I experienced at any other school. I just hope I can do all my fellow OUTLaws proud in my legal career.”

As we recognize Pride Month in June, learn more about Michael, his path to law school and his advice for students:

Can you tell us more about your experience prior to law school?

My journey to law school was unique and difficult. I graduated with a degree in political science in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and, with few professional opportunities available, spent two years working in the service industry, flipping hamburgers and scrubbing fryers, while studying for the LSAT and searching for political jobs.��

That experience left me deeply committed to two things in my future career: (1) advocating for and improving our democratic electoral systems at the local, state, and federal levels, and (2) mentorship, particularly for individuals who have to take a gap year before law school. (Shoutout to the Colorado LGBTQ+ Bar Association's mentorship program!)

Why did you decide to get involved with OUTLaw as a student, and what did you enjoy most?

I have always been somewhat closeted��about my bisexuality and queerness prior to law school. The ability to unashamedly show up every day��was something new. I'm never going back. OUTLaw made that possible.

What will you miss most about Colorado Law?

The people. Full stop. Law school is hard — there is really no way around it — but the people are what make it so enjoyable and meaningful. The professors and peers I've met here are lifelong connections that will stay with me throughout my career and beyond.

Now that you’ve graduated, what’s next?

First things first: taking and passing the bar (fingers crossed)! After that, I will be clerking at the Denver District Court and Colorado Court of Appeals.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your time at Colorado Law?

Take every class you possibly can with Professor Scott Skinner-Thompson. His scholarship and courses center largely on LGBTQ+ topics, and he brings a rare combination of thoughtfulness and humor to everything he does. He always made me feel comfortable being fully "me" at CU Law.