Fifth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Frederick Walker Gannett
Retention Year: 2008
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The Fifth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Frederick Walker Gannett BE RETAINED.
Judge Gannett received his undergraduate degree from Lawrence University, and his law degree from Willamette University. Judge Gannett was appointed as Eagle County Court judge for Divisions I and II in 2002. He was appointed as the Eagle County Court judge for Division I in 1990 and served in that post until 1994. Judge Gannett was in private practice from 1994 until 2002. Judge Gannett has also served in municipal court positions in the towns of Basalt and Vail, Colorado, and was in private practice from 1986 until 1990, specializing in criminal and civil trials. He was appointed to the District Court of the Fifth Judicial District in 2006. Judge Gannett hears cases primarily in Eagle County.
The Commission reviewed written evaluations of Judge Gannett from attorneys and non-attorneys, as well as a written self evaluation completed by Judge Gannett. A personal interview of Judge Gannett was conducted by the Commission, and members of the Commission observed Judge Gannett in the courtroom during several proceedings.
The Commission is highly impressed with Judge Gannett’s overall approach to his job. He never stops analyzing the justice system, his role in such a system and how he can improve his performance. He treats all those appearing before him with fairness and consistency, and shows empathy when appropriate. His communication skills are excellent, he is an active listener, and he provides solid, well-reasoned decisions. Judge Gannett is highly supportive and complimentary as to his staff, believing that they are the “backbone” of the judicial system. Comments from both attorneys and non-attorneys praise him for his judicial demeanor and his intellectual abilities. In order to improve his performance, Judge Gannett’s current goals are to eliminate the congestion of his court docket and to improve his legal knowledge.
Questionnaires received by the Commission from both attorneys and non-attorneys that have appeared in his courtroom uniformly rate Judge Gannett high overall, and above average in the areas of fairness, demeanor, diligence and application of the law. Eighty-nine percent of attorneys responding strongly recommend retention of Judge Gannett, with 89% of responding non-attorneys sharing this strong recommendation.