magistrate judge kristen mix
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Colorado’s federal judges recused 200+ times in 4 years for variety of reasons
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Colorado’s federal judges issued orders recusing themselves from cases at least 203 times in four years, with reasons ranging from unspecified appearances of partiality to potential conflicts created by their prior employment and family connections. One judge also noted in recusing himself that if he ruled against an attorney who was his personal friend, “it…
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Despite prevailing at SCOTUS, 10th Circuit again rejects man’s age discrimination lawsuit
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Six months after the nation’s highest court ruled that a man could theoretically reopen his age discrimination case to contest an arbitrator’s unfair decision, the Denver-based federal appeals court determined he could not actually do so under the procedural rules. As a result, plaintiff Gary Waetzig cannot challenge his arbitrator’s violation of her arbitration agreement…
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Colorado judicial discipline rules released for public comment
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The panel charged with enacting protocols governing the judicial discipline process has released a set of new rules for public comment. Last November, voters approved constitutional Amendment H to reform how Colorado disciplines its judges. The changes reduced the role of the state Supreme Court, enabled information-sharing about judges’ alleged misconduct to occur sooner and more widely, and…
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Colorado’s judicial discipline panel works on emergency rules in wake of voter-approved amendment
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The body charged with crafting new protocols for judicial discipline in Colorado discussed at length the need for emergency rules last week, following through on a constitutional amendment voters enacted in November to revamp the process of disciplining state judges. Kristen L. Mix, the chair of the Judicial Discipline Rule-Making Committee, said the bulk of the…
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Trump’s executive orders prompt US Attorney Office to pull out of Colorado judge’s diversity program
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A pair of executive orders issued by President Donald Trump this week has prompted the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Colorado to withdraw from a federal judge’s longstanding internship program for law students of diverse backgrounds. Retired U.S. Magistrate Judge Kristen L. Mix started the Diversity Internship Program in 2014 to place University of Colorado and…
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Colorado’s federal judges give themselves increased disciplinary power over attorneys
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The judges of Colorado’s federal trial court have voted to give themselves the power to refer lawyers for discipline — potentially resulting in suspension or disbarment — simply for violating individual courtroom protocols. Without explanation, the U.S. District Court amended its local rules effective Dec. 1 to permit judges to impose “additional standards of professional conduct” beyond those contained…
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10th Circuit partially reinstates fired nursing home worker’s lawsuit over COVID-19 vaccination
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The federal appeals court based in Denver ruled on Tuesday that a former nursing home employee can pursue her claim of religious discrimination against her employer for failing to grant a religious exemption to its COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Diann R. Bolonchuk alleged she was an 18-year employee of Cherry Creek Nursing Center/Nexion Health when it…
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Colorado court’s pilot program to aid self-represented prisoners launches after delay, tweaks
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Colorado’s federal trial court this spring began accepting participants in a pilot program intended to link incarcerated plaintiffs with attorneys for onetime legal advice calls, although the initiative has undergone changes since its initial announcement. Colorado’s U.S. District Court authorized a limited legal assistance program last year, allowing prisoners at Fremont Correctional Facility who have…
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‘Opportunity to level the playing field’: Federal judges deliver pro bono pitch to lawyers
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Two years ago, U.S. Magistrate Judge Kristen L. Mix faced a disturbing set of allegations from a prisoner in federal court. The man, incarcerated at the Colorado State Penitentiary, alleged he was a prosecution witness in the trial of another inmate who committed murder. He asked to be housed in protective custody, but instead the…
