colorado bar association

Colorado appeals judges give tutorial on friend-of-the-court briefs | APPELLATE UPDATE

May 6, 2026

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Michael Karlik

Two members of the Colorado Supreme Court and Court of Appeals described to attorneys on Friday how and when to submit advocacy briefs from outside entities — and the tactics that turn off the judges who read them. “I get that there are certain advocacy groups on particular sides. I can pick up a particular…
Colorado appellate judges, lawyers hold annual conference | APPELLATE UPDATE

May 6, 2026

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Michael Karlik

Appellate judges and attorneys gathered in Denver on Friday to discuss recent trends, exchange tips and clarify confusing areas of practice. “One of the things I really had to focus on, coming from the trial court, is that my inclination before was to make sure things are raised and people were getting their questions answered.…
Colorado’s chief justice requests 28 new judges, warns of widespread courtroom disruption

Nov 15, 2024

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Michael Karlik

The state’s judicial branch is asking lawmakers to establish 28 new judgeships over two years to help ease caseloads and combat burnout among existing judges, Chief Justice Monica M. Márquez told an audience of attorneys on Thursday. Speaking at the Colorado Bar Association’s headquarters, Márquez also provided details about the rash of disruptions caused by malicious actors…
Federal, state, municipal judges exchange thoughts with lawyers on civility, other topics

Oct 7, 2024

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Michael Karlik

Members of the federal, state and local judiciaries held a series of conversations with attorneys on Friday, with topics that included civility, treatment of self-represented litigants and differing expectations across courts. “It’s much more difficult to practice in the federal court in the sense that you have more rules to comply with,” said U.S. District…
A lifeline inside and outside the courtroom: Colorado’s newly minted legal workers step into arena | COVER STORY

Jul 6, 2024

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Michael Karlik

Last month, Chief Justice Brian D. Boatright looked out at the packed courtroom of the Colorado Supreme Court to usher in a historic moment in the state’s 148-year existence. “We are at a point where people need help. And we’re calling in the cavalry,” he said. Boatright proceeded to swear in the first class of…
Chief justice gives update on judicial center damage, says he initially thought break-in was Trump-related

May 13, 2024

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Michael Karlik

Chief Justice Brian D. Boatright detailed on Friday the “tremendous amount of damage” that still exists at the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center and disclosed he initially thought the Jan. 2 break-in was related to the Supreme Court’s decision to remove Donald Trump from the state’s presidential primary ballot. Brandon Olsen caused an estimated $35 million…
‘Give me the goods’: State judges tell young lawyers how to win trust, cases in the courtroom

Dec 18, 2023

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Michael Karlik

Be prepared. Know the courtroom. Learn the judge’s background. Make clear what you want. Show the judge how to get there. Look nice. Be mindful of the stickers on your water bottle. Those were some of the bullet points of advice that new attorneys heard earlier this month at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse in Denver. The…
The 20-minute lifeline: Colorado’s federal court eyes a new program to aid those behind bars | COVER STORY

Aug 12, 2023

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Michael Karlik

With nearly two dozen state prisons and multiple federal facilities in Colorado, federal judges routinely hear lawsuits from incarcerated men and women alleging violations of their rights. The claims range from excessive force and indifference to medical needs to unconstitutional infringements on prisoners’ religious exercise. For the most part, the plaintiffs do not have a…
New faces, new approach: Charlotte Sweeney talks about transformation of Colorado’s federal court

Jul 24, 2023

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Michael Karlik

In just two years, the Biden administration appointed four – soon to be five – judges to Colorado’s seven-member federal trial court. One of them spoke on Friday about how she and the other new members are taking a different approach to the job. “It certainly seems like we’re moving back to being out more in the…
Colorado historic preservation group to honor restoration of House, Senate chambers at Capitol

May 9, 2017

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Ernest Luning

Colorado Preservation, Inc., plans to honor the restoration of the House and Senate chambers at the state Capitol at the Dana Crawford and State Honor Awards Celebration on May 18 in Denver. It’s among award recipients the organization will recognize at the annual gala for significant achievements across the state in the field of historic preservation.…