Hood is next Colorado supreme court justice

William Hood III, a Denver district court judge, has been chosen to succeed chief justice Michael Bender as a member of the state's highest court.

Gov. John Hickenlooper made the announcement Friday.

Hood, 50, has been a judge for about six years. Before assuming the bench he was in private practice and worked as a prosecutor in the 18th judicial district.

The new justice will have to stand for retention in the 2014 election. If retained, he'll serve a ten year term commencing in January 2015.


Hickenlooper's decision means that district judge David Prince of El Paso county and Colorado court of appeals judge John Dailey will have to await another vacancy on the state's highest court before trying again for promotion.

Justice Nancy E. Rice will take over as chief justice when Bender retires on Jan. 7, 2014.

Chief justice Bender to retire Jan. 7

Colorado will need a new supreme court chief justice early in 2014, and the state's Supreme Court Nominating Commission is to meet Oct. 8 and 9 to begin the process of choosing his replacement as a member of the high bench.

The incumbent, Michael Bender, will reach the age of 72 on Jan. 7. That is the state's mandatory retirement age for judges.

The Supreme Court Nominating Commission will provide Gov. John Hickenlooper with three candidates to take his seat.

Bender was appointed to the supreme court by former Gov. Roy Romer in 1997. He was selected to replace Mary Mullarkey as chief justice in 2010.

During his career as a practicing lawyer Bender worked as a public defender, for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and in private practice. He has also taught law at the University of Denver.

The chief justice of the state supreme court is the administrator of a justice system that has a budget in excess of $400 million and more than 3,600 employees.

Colorado's state courts are staffed by 332 judges.

Hickenlooper has appointed one justice to the court since assuming office in Jan. 2011. Brian Boatwright, a former Jefferson County district court judge, was selected to replace justice Alex Martinez in Nov. 2011.

The members of the nominating commission for the Supreme Court are Richard Holme and Sr. Alicia Cuarón of the First Congressional District, Lamar Sims and Ann Hendrickson of the Second Congressional District, Kim Childs and Mary Stengel of the Third Congressional District, Scott Johnson and Ira Paulin of the Fourth Congressional District, Richard Celeste and Eric Hall of the Fifth Congressional District, April Jones and Bruce Alexander of the Sixth Congressional District, Charles Tingle and Olivia Mendoza of the Seventh Congressional District, and at-large member Dorothy Decker.

Applicants for the appointment were required to submit the necessary documentation to the commission by Sept. 3.

Photo courtesy Colorado Judicial Branch.

Marquez appointed to supreme court

A state deputy attorney general will become the next state supreme court justice.

Monica Marquez, 41, has been chosen by Gov. Bill Ritter to replace retiring chief justice Mary Mullarkey.

“Monica is an analytical and independent thinker," Ritter said. "She has a wealth of personal and professional experiences, and a deep reverence for the role our legal system plays in the everyday lives of Coloradans, and in the inter-relationship between our courts and public policy. She respects the rule of law, is conscientious and will bring an unbiased and just perspective to the court and all the cases that it hears."

The appointment also drew praise from Republican attorney general John Suthers, Marquez' boss.

"In selecting Deputy Attorney General Marquez, the governor has made an excellent appointment to the Colorado Supreme Court,” Suthers said. “Monica is one of the brightest attorneys I have worked with in my long career in public service. Her clear, concise writing and sharp legal mind will make her an outstanding addition to the Colorado Supreme Court.”

Suthers also wrote a letter of recommendation supporting Marquez' candidacy for the high court.

Marquez is the chief of the state services section in the attorney general's office. She oversees the team of lawyers who represent nine executive branch agencies, including the governor's office.

Marquez has worked for the Department of Law since 2002. Before entering public service she was an associate at the law firm Holme, Roberts, and Owen and a law clerk for two federal judges.

She earned her law degree at Yale Law School and her undergraduate degree at Stanford University. Marquez is a graduate of Grand Junction High School.

Marquez will have to seek retention after a two-year provisional term. Her name will appear on the 2012 ballot.

“Naming a new Supreme Court justice is a tremendous responsibility and privilege,” the Governor said. “I had three exemplary choices and a difficult decision to make. While Chief Justice Mullarkey leaves behind an irreplaceable legacy, I am confident Monica Marquez will serve the people of Colorado with distinction, honor and integrity.”

Eighth Judicial District Gets New Chief Judge

A veteran trial judge has been appointed by the state's chief justice to serve as the top jurist in the Eighth Judicial District, which includes Jackson and Larimer counties.

Stephen Jon Schapanski of Fort Collins, who has been on the district court bench since 2007, was chosen by chief justice Mary J. Mullarkey to replace retired judge James H. Hiatt as chief judge.

Before taking on his current role as a district court judge, Schapanski was a magistrate for fourteen years in the same district. Before becoming a judge he was in private law practice since 1974. Schapanski's legal expertise was in the areas of domestic relations, civil, juvenile, criminal defense, probate, estate planning, bankruptcy and real estate law.

He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1971 and earned his law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law in Indiana in 1974.

Colorado is divided into 22 judicial districts, each with a chief judge. The chief judge serves as the district's senior administrator, responsible for appointing the district administrator, chief probation officer and clerks of the court, assisting in the personnel, financial and case management of the district, and assuring that the business of the courts is conducted efficiently and effectively. A chief judge also makes judicial assignments within the district.

Ritter Appoints Jefferson County Judge

Gov. Bill Ritter has appointed an Edgewater city court judge to the Jefferson County bench, according to a press release issued today.

Tammy K. Green of Littleton, a former prosecutor and sole practitioner, will serve a provisional two-year term before standing for retention in the 2010 election. Green earned her law degree from the University of Illinois in 1988. Her B.A. was awarded from the University of Tulsa in 1985.

Greene has been the presiding judge for Edgewater since January 2008. She also has been providing relief judge services to the cities of Aurora, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, Westminster, Thornton, and Boulder since January 2003.

County court judges are paid $123,067 per year.

Ritter Appoints 3rd, 18th District Judges

Gov. Bill Ritter today appointed new judges in the 18th Judicial District and the 3rd Judicial District.

The governor named Kurt Allen Horton to the District Court bench in the 18th Judicial District and Gary Robert Stork to the Huerfano County Court bench in the 3rd Judicial District.

Horton, of Greenwood Village, is currently of counsel with White & Steele, where his litigation practice emphasizes legal malpractice defense, civil commercial litigation and insurance issues. He has been with White & Steel since 1989 and his expertise includes real estate, secured financing, banking and insurance law.

He previously has served as senior vice president and general counsel with Silverado Banking Savings and Loan and as an associate at Hughes & Dorsey.

Horton earned his bachelors degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1976 and his law degree from the University of Denver in 1980.

The 18th Judicial District serves Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln counties.

Stork, of Walsenburg, recently retired as deputy district attorney for the 3rd Judicial District, which serves Huerfano and Las Animas counties. He previously served as district attorney for the 16th Judicial District from 1983 to 2005; that district serves Otero, Bent and Crowley counties.

He received his bachelors degree from Pasadena Nazarene College in 1969 and his law degree from the University of Denver in 1974.

Both appointments are effective Jan. 13, 2009, and will fill vacancies caused by judicial retirements. The appointments are for a provisional terms of two years, and then until the second Tuesday in January following the next general election.

Thereafter, if retained by the voters, the term for a district court judge is six years and the term for a county court judge is four years.

The current salary for a district court judge is $128,598. A county judge receives $123,067 per year.

New Judge Appointed in Arapahoe County

Gov. Bill Ritter today announced the appointment of an 18th Judicial District magistrate as an Arapahoe County Court judge.

Addison Lloyd Adams of Aurora has been a magistrate for 10 years. The 18th district covers Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties. Adams has generally handled a domestic relations docket while on that court.

Prior to entering judicial service, Adams was a partner in the Adams & Post Law Partnership, a trial attorney and public defender in Arapahoe, Adams and Denver counties, a solo practitioner, and an assistant attorney general.

He received his bachelors degree from the University of Colorado in 1974, an M.A. degree from the University of Denver in 1979, his law degree from DU in 1979 and a masters degree in social work from DU in 1993.

The appointment is effective Jan. 13, 2009 and is for a provisional term of two years. Adams would have to win a retention election to hold the seat beyond early January 2011.

The current salary for a County Court judge is $123,067.

Ritter Names New Judges

Gov. Bill Ritter named three people to the bench Friday.

Laurie Ann Booras, of Centennial, and Gale T. Miller of Denver were named to the Colorado Court of Appeals.

Kenneth M. Laff was appointed to the 2nd District Court, which serves Denver.

Booras has worked for the Colorado Attorney General’s Office in the appellate division since 1991. She previously worked for the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office in San Antonio, Texas; the Travis County District Attorney’s Office; and the Texas Attorney General’s office. Booras received her bachelor’s degree from Cameron University in 1979 and her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1982.

Miller has been a partner at Davis and Graham since 1978 and is currently a commercial litigator. His practice has included natural resources, general commercial, antitrust and arbitrations. Miller previously worked as an attorney for the Federal Trade Commission. He received his bachelor’s degree from Augustana College in 1968 and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1971.

Laff has served as a senior deputy district attorney since 2000. He previously was president of the PLUS Group, was a principal at Ziegler and Ross, and was an associate and partner at Holme, Roberts and Owens. He received his bachelor’s degree from Amherst College in 1974 and his law degree from Stanford Law School in 1977.

The appointments are for provisional terms of two years, and then until the second Tuesday in January follow the next general election. Thereafter, if retained by the voters, the term for a Court of Appeals judge is eight years, six years for a District Court judge, and four years for a County Court judge. The current salary for a Court of Appeals judge is $134,128, $128,598 for a District Court judge, and $123,067 for a County Court judge.

Ritter Names District Court Judges

Gov. Bill Ritter today announced the appointments of four new county and district court judges in the 1st, 5th and 10th Judicial Districts.

In the 1st Judicial District, which serves Gilpin and Jefferson counties, Ritter appointed Bradley Allen Burback of Arvada and K.J. Moore of Littleton as Jefferson County Court judges.

Burback has served as a District Court magistrate for the 1st Judicial District since 2006. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University in 1986 and his law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1990. Burback, a former JAG officer, also received his military attorney certificate from the U.S. Naval Justice School in 1991.

Moore has served as a Jefferson County District Court magistrate since 2004. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado in 1991 and her J.D. and M.S.L. degrees from Vermont Law School in 1995.

In the 5th Judicial District, which serves Clear Creek, Eagle, Lake and Summit counties, Ritter appointed Karen Ann Romeo of Silverthorne as a District Court judge.

Romeo has worked in the District Attorney’s Office in the 5th Judicial District since 1997. She is currently the chief deputy and assistant district attorney. Romeo earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado in 1990 and her law degree from the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law in Michigan in 1996.

In the 10th Judicial District, which serves Pueblo County, Ritter appointed Deborah Rene Eyler of Pueblo West as a District Court judge. She has served as a District Court magistrate in this district since 2007. Eyler earned her bachelor’s degree in 1977 and her law degree in 1981, both from Creighton University.

The appointments are for provisional terms of two years, and then until the second Tuesday in January follow the next general election. Thereafter, if retained by the voters, the term for a District Court judge is six years and four years for a County Court judge. The current salary for a District Court judge is $128,598 and $123,067 for a County Court judge.

Ritter Names New Judges in 4th, 19th Districts

Gov. Bill Ritter today announced the appointments of Regina Marie Walter of Colorado Springs as an El Paso County Court Judge in the 4th Judicial District, and Dinsmore Tuttle of Windsor as a District Court Judge in the 19th Judicial District, which serves Weld County.

Walter currently serves as a magistrate judge for the 4th Judicial District, a position she has held since 1987. Prior to this, she served as deputy public defender and as an associate for Frank A. Gerig, P.C.

Walter was awarded the State of Colorado Outstanding Judicial Officer of the Year in 1997 and serves as co-chair for the 4th Judicial District Best Practices Court Steering Committee. She received her B.A. from Colorado College in 1980 and her law degree from the University of Tulsa in 1983.

Tuttle has served as a district court magistrate for the 19th Judicial District since 1997. She was in private practice from 1990 to 1997, and served as a public defender in Adams, Weld, and Larimer Counties from 1983 to 1990. Tuttle received her B.A. from New College in 1975, her M.A. from the University of Colorado in 1979, and her law from the University of Denver in 1982.

Walter’s appointment is effective immediately. She is filling the vacancy created by the appointment of the Honorable Barney Iuppa http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=6077175309734867272to the District Court bench.

Tuttle’s appointment is effective Jan. 13, 2009, and was created by the retirement of Judge Robert Lowenbach.

The appointments are for provisional terms of two years, and then until the second Tuesday in January following the next general election. Thereafter, if retained by the voters, the term for a District Court judge is six years and four years for a County Court judge. The current salary for a District Court judge is $118,972 and $113,856 for a County Court judge.

Three Named to Court of Appeals

Gov. Bill Ritter named three new judges to the state court of appeals Thursday, filling slots created when the General Assembly expanded the size of that court in legislation passed in 2007.

Named to the bench were:

1. Sean Connelly

Connelly is a partner at Reilly, Pozner & Connelly (1994-present) and previously worked in private practice (1984-90) and as a judicial law clerk to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (1983-84). Connelly received his bachelor’s degree from Fairfield University in 1980 and his law degree from Catholic University Law School in 1983.

2. Richard Lance Gabriel

Gabriel is a partner at Holme Roberts & Owen. He has been with that firm since 1990. He previously worked for Shea & Gould (1988-90) and as a law clerk for the federal judge Frederick Motz of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (1987-1988). Gabriel also served as prosecutor for the city of Lafayette. He received his bachelor’s degree from Yale University in 1984 and his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law in 1987.

3. David Jay Richman

Richman serves as career law clerk at the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado (2003-present). Prior to joining the court, he was in private practice, specializing in civil commercial litigation and arbitration and criminal defense. Richman received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1972 and his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1975.

All three appointments take effect July 1 and are for a provisional term of two years. The new judges would have to stand election in 2010 to retain their seats for an additional eight years beyond the expiration of the provisional term.

The seats on the court filled by Connelly, Gabriel and Richman were created by HB 07-1054.