Tenth Judicial District - Pueblo County Court Judge
Honorable Kathleen K. Hearn
Retention Year: 2002
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
The Tenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Kathleen K. Hearn be RETAINED.
Judge Hearn was appointed to the Pueblo County Court in December of 1995. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Hearn practiced law in Pueblo.
The Commission was impressed by her involvement in a variety of community activities, including Sangre de Cristo Hospice, Pueblo Boys and Girls Club, Our Lady of the Meadows Church, Colorado Bar Association Board of Governors and P.E.O. The Commission found Judge Hearn’s commitment to community service exemplary.
The Commission was very impressed with Judge Hearn and believes her to be one of Colorado’s outstanding county court judges. Her reputation in the legal community reflects high standards of integrity. The vast majority of the legal community believes that she has excellent judicial temperament and demeanor. Both attorneys and non-attorneys believe that she exhibits qualities of understanding, compassion and patience.
The only major criticism of Judge Hearn was that she was not always punctual in beginning judicial proceedings and issuing judicial decisions. Judge Hearn explained that her practice is not to begin court proceedings until all parties and their attorneys are present.
Both attorneys and non-attorneys believe that she is well skilled at identifying and solving problems. Judge Hearn is rated well above the average in being courteous to litigants who do not have attorneys.
Attorney questionnaires received by the Commission rate Judge Hearn high overall, especially in the areas of courtesy and providing quick access to the courts. Non-attorneys rated Judge Hearn high in providing written communications that are clear, thorough and well reasoned. Of the non-attorney responses received, 84% voted to retain Judge Hearn, 2% voted not to retain and 14% had no opinion. Of the attorneys responding to the questionnaire, 70% recommend retention, 19% recommended non-retention and 11% had no opinion.