Gov. Hickenlooper Appoints New Justice to Colorado Supreme Court
Press Release
Gov. John Hickenlooper announced today the appointment of Judge William Hood III to the Colorado Supreme Court. Hood will replace Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael L.Bender, who is retiring Jan. 7, 2014, after serving on the Supreme Court since 1997 and as chief since 2010.
"William Hood has consistently demonstrated an ability to fairly apply the law while effectively administering justice," Hickenlooper said. "He has broad experience as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney and civil litigator. Hood's reputation for collaboration will make him an effective member of the Colorado Supreme Court."
Hood, 50, is the 103rd person in the state's history to be appointed to the Colorado Supreme Court.
Hood is currently a District Court Judge in the 2nd Judicial District in the City and County of Denver, a position he has held since 2007. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
Prior to becoming a judge, Hood was in private practice at Isaacson Rosenbaum P.C. He previously worked for the Office of the District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District serving Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties, where he served different times as the Chief Appellate Deputy, a Chief Trial Deputy and Violent Crimes Unit Deputy. Hood also practiced as an associate at McKenna & Cuneo and Holme Roberts & Owen in commercial litigation.
Hood earned a bachelor's degree from Syracuse University and a J.D. from University of Virginia School of Law.
Hood's nomination was supported by the Colorado Women's Bar Association, the Colorado GLBT Bar Association, the Asian Pacific American Bar Association, the Sam Cary Bar Association, the Colorado Civil Justice League and the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, among others.
The next Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice, which was decided by the court, will be Justice Nancy E. Rice. Hood will serve a provisional term of two years. If retained by voters, he will then serve a 10-year term.
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