Holbrook, Sharon 2018 Evaluation

Reports:
2018 Retention Survey Report

The Seventeenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously (10-0) agrees that the Honorable Sharon D. Holbrook MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.

Sharon Holbrook was a magistrate in Adams County prior to her appointment as a judge. In that role she completed two rotations in domestic, and a rotation in juvenile, civil and criminal. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Holbrook served for ten years in the Adams County District Attorney's Office, with the last four years in the position of Senior Trial Deputy for the Child Victim Unit. She has taught and lectured extensively on the subject of child sexual and physical abuse, and abusive head trauma in infants. Judge Holbrook has served as the president of the Adams Broomfield Bar Association, as Chair of the Adams County Child Fatality Review Team, and has served on the Kempe Center multi-disciplinary team. She is a past president of the Colorado Magistrates Association and is currently the Colorado Director for the National Association of Women Judges. Judge Holbrook is also involved in efforts to educate the judiciary about issues that might impact LGBTQ participants in their courtrooms. She received her undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Utah in 1997 and her JD from Willamette University College of Law in 2001.

The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Holbrook, reviewed opinions she authored, observed her in court, and reviewed survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had experience with Judge Holbrook. Those surveyed were asked, "based on your responses to the previous questions related to the performance evaluation criteria, do you think Judge Holbrook meets judicial performance standards?" Of the attorneys responding to the survey, 100% answered that she meets performance standards. Of non-attorneys responding to the survey, 91% answered that she meets performance standards, 4% answered that she did not, and 5% did not have an opinion. A total of thirty-three attorneys and ninety-two non-attorneys responded to the surveys.

During this term, Judge Holbrook presided primarily over a felony criminal docket with a brief period of time (approximately 8%) on a domestic relations docket. Based upon the Commission’s overall evaluation, Judge Holbrook overwhelmingly demonstrated that she either met or exceeded performed standards in all categories. Judge Holbrook’s evaluation scores from attorneys was extremely impressive.  She scored perfect scores in the areas of communication and demeanor and her scores in all areas were significantly higher than the average for district court judges across the State. Respondents to surveys describe Judge Holbrook as articulate, fair, smart, dignified, calm and rational. One respondent explained that Judge Holbrook “has managed to set a tone that is both authoritative and efficient, but also kind and welcoming.” Respondents did not point to any weaknesses for Judge Holbrook. The Commission was extremely impressed with Judge Holbrook and her performance, particularly given her short time on the bench. Based upon these findings, the Commission unanimously agreed that Judge Holbrook meets performance standards.