First Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Jack W. Berryhill
Retention Year: 2008
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The First Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously and strongly recommends that Judge Jack W. Berryhill BE RETAINED, with one member absent.
Background: Judge Berryhill was appointed to the First Judicial District Court in January, 2000. Before his appointment to the court, Judge Berryhill was a civil and commercial litigator in private practice for 25 years. His community interests include serving as a director of the Central City Opera Association and the Colorado Trial Foundation and by speaking to various community groups. He also has worked to improve the First Judicial District by working to implement several changes which have made the court more efficient and by updating and getting approval for new First Judicial District court rules.
Strengths: Judge Berryhill exhibits many qualities of a fine judge: excellent writer of opinions that are clear and well reasoned, knowledge of the law, intelligent, prepared and fair. Most attorneys and non-attorneys feel his diligence and dignity make him very professional. In a survey of attorneys, 76% recommended retention. In a survey of non-attorneys such as jurors, witnesses and parties, 91% recommended approval.
Weaknesses: One of Judge Berryhill’s weaknesses is that he is perceived as being inattentive to court proceedings when he is on his laptop taking notes; he will try to improve this problem with more frequent eye contact and questioning. Judge Berryhill often works long hours and on weekends; he is trying to balance this with vacations and trying to become more efficient.
Recommendation: The Commission strongly recommends that Judge Berryhill BE RETAINED.