Legal Review Committee Agenda and Packet 2016 08 10

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I am interested in serving as a presiding judge for the City of Louisville because I enjoy being a municipal judge and I am very fond of and connected to the City of Louisville through my fifteen years of practicing law in Boulder County. I currently serve as a part-time judge or "relief judge" for three municipal courts and I would be honored to be chosen as a presiding judge for the City of Louisville. Although I still practice law, I am committed to transitioning into a full time judicial career. As a criminal defense attorney, gain the most satisfaction not from prevailing on motions, not from success at trial, but from helping people to make positive changes in their lives. What I enjoy least is the unavoidable one-sidedness, and occasional contentiousness, that the adversarial system demands. My personal style and temperament is more judicial than adversarial and that my skill set is more suited to that of a neutral arbiter. I possess the qualities required of a presiding judge for the City of Louisville. The majority of defendants who appear in municipal court where I am currently a judge appear without a lawyer. I believe one of my strengths as a judge is something that my sixteen years of advocacy for criminal defendants affords me - - an ability to communicate to a diverse group of defendants effectively. I am able to explain the law, possible consequences, and the court process in a clear and concise way. My experience as a municipal judge and trial attorney provide me the foundation to make sound, consistent, and fair legal rulings. As a judge, I believe I have the opportunity to help people make positive changes in their lives, thereby reducing recidivism and enhancing community safety. This can be accomplished through what I have observed applied by other judges, with motivational techniques I have learned through classes I have taken, and skills I practice each time I am on the bench. I am also adept at handling the administrative business required of a presiding judge including supervising clerks, reviewing and ruling on arrest warrants and requests for writs, and issuing citations and bench warrants. I am a team player and I have a democratic leadership style where I encourage team members to think creatively to find solutions to problems. I'm comfortable with and enjoy speaking with City Council members about the municipal court and court programs and policies. I believe I have a passion for the position and that I possess the skills and temperament to be an excellent presiding judge for the City of Louisville. I would be honored to speak with the selection committee further regarding my interest in this position and my qualifications.