Colorado Supreme Court
Honorable William Hood
Retention Year: 2016
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The State Commission on Judicial Performance recommends by a vote of 9 to 0, with one recusal, that Justice William Hood BE RETAINED.
Justice Hood was sworn in as a member of the Colorado Supreme Court on January 13, 2014. Prior to his appointment, he was a judge on the Denver District Court for seven years. In 1985, Justice Hood graduated from Syracuse University magna cum laude with honors. He graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1990. Before becoming a judge, Justice Hood was a litigation partner at Isaacson Rosenbaum P.C. in Denver and served as a prosecutor for ten years in Colorado’s 18th Judicial District. He has served as a member of the Executive Council of the Colorado Bar Association and the Board of Trustees for the Denver Bar Association. In 2011, he received the Denver Bar Association’s Judicial Excellence Award. In 2014, the Colorado Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers gave him its Distinguished Jurist Award. Justice Hood has taught courses as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law. As a Supreme Court Justice, he also has spoken at numerous educational public events.
The Commission reviewed survey responses from attorneys and judges regarding Justice Hood’s performance, read opinions he authored, observed him in oral arguments, reviewed his self-evaluation, and conducted a personal interview. The survey asked “how strongly do you recommend that Justice Hood be retained in office, or not be retained in office?” Of attorneys completing the survey 81% recommended to retain, 9% recommended not to retain, and 9% made no recommendation. Of judges completing the survey 96% recommended to retain, and 4% made no recommendation.
Attorney survey responses indicate that Justice Hood’s performance is strong in the areas of being courteous towards attorneys, treating parties equally regardless of race, sex, or economic status, and allowing parties to present their arguments. Numerous attorneys commented that Justice Hood is intelligent, fair, and prepared for oral argument. The Commission’s observations confirmed this. The comments of attorneys and judges indicate that he writes clear, thoughtful, and well-reasoned opinions. The Commission reviewed several of Justice Hood’s opinions and also found them to be clear, thoughtful, and well-reasoned. Overall, the Commission urges Justice Hood to continue his exemplary activities in the community, especially his work on the Access To Justice Commission. The Judicial Performance Commission believes, without reservation, that Justice Hood is an asset to the Court.