Conrad Ball award recognizes devotion

By SARA REED

Andrew Bertrand accepted the Judge Conrad L. Ball Award on Friday night with his typical wit and charm, living up to comparisons of him with the cartoon character Dudley Dooright.

Nominated by the staff at the Colorado Public Defender's Office, Bertrand received the honor for his contribution toward improving the quality of criminal justice in Larimer County. In the nomination letter, the staff said the for Collins attorney can "be often seen swaggering through the halls proclaiming he is doing God's work."

For all the bravado, however, Bertrand was humble as he received the 27th annual Judge Conrad L. Ball Award at the Fort Collins Country Club. The award is named after former Judge Conrad L. Ball, a respected jurist in Larimer County.

"These moments are difficult for me," he told the gathering before thanking those who nominated him. He said he was receiving an award for work he sees done every day in the courthouse where you all are," he said.

The staff at the public defenders office compared Bertrand with Buzz Lightyear and Mighty Mouse in his "enthusiastic dedication in seeking justice and helping others."

They called Bertrand a "skilled mediator, (who) offers personal encouragement and assistance to clients and a man with a great sense of humor and spirit."

Those who nominated him said Bertrand often takes on pro bono cases. "His good works and good cheer are contagious," one colleague said. "He puts his heart into his work and strives to make sure justice is achieved, and he works without the expectation of money received."

Bertrand was a probation officer in Canon City from 1991 to 1995, and later went to law school in New Hampshire. He has served as a criminal defense attorney in Fort Collins for five years.

"I don't think I deserve this any more than any of the other people who do this work," Bertrand said.

Past winners include the late Judge Arnaud Newton, Larimer County Sheriff's Capt. Gary Darling, District Attorney Stu VanMeveren and Magistrate Joseph R. Coyte.

The Larimer County Community Corrections Department presents the award on behalf of the county commissionsers. click here to download the article