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Findorff, Laura 2016 Evaluation

Fourth Judicial District - El Paso County Court Judge

Honorable Laura Norris Findorff 

Retention Year: 2016
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standard

Reports: 

2016 Retention Survey Report (PDF) 

2015 Interim Survey Report (PDF)

 

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The Fourth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously (10-0) recommends that Judge Laura Norris Findorff BE RETAINED.

Judge Findorff was appointed to the County Court bench for El Paso County on December 18, 2012.  Prior to her appointment, Judge Findorff was a Magistrate for the 18th Judicial District, where she worked in the areas of domestic relations, truancy, and mental health court.  Judge Findorff received her law degree from University of San Diego.  Judge Findorff is currently handling a full County Court docket and helps the District Courts whenever possible, which has included approving settlements for minors under the probate laws.  Judge Findorff has been very active in many community service activities including, Judicially Speaking and Teen Court.  The Commission recommends, as a result of her exceptional speaking skills, that she be more active in the community as she would be a wonderful ambassador for the judiciary as a whole.  This is the one area that the Commission feels Judge Findorff can build upon.

The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Findorff, reviewed opinions and the self-assessment provided, observed her in Court, and reviewed surveys sent to attorneys and non-attorneys.  Among the survey questions was “How strongly do you recommend that Judge Findorff be retained in office, or not be retained in office?”  Of attorneys completing the survey, 96% recommended to retain, 0% recommended to not retain and 4% made no recommendation.  This is a remarkable score.  Of the non-attorneys completing the survey, 89% recommended to retain, 5% recommended not to retain and 7% made no recommendation.

Judge Findorff received higher than average marks in the attorney survey in every category and every area of review, including case management, knowledge of the law, communication, demeanor, diligence and neutrality.  In the non-attorney categories, she was again above average in every category.  Judge Findorff scored 20% above average in the area of fairness in sentencing.  The Commission was highly impressed with Judge Findorff’s extraordinary scores, her demeanor and her reputation in the legal community, and is making the unusual recommendation that Judge Findorff consider applying for a future opening on the District Court bench.