Second Judicial District - Denver County Court Judge
Honorable Claudia Jean Jordan
Retention Year: 2000
Recommendation: Retain
The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Judge Claudia Jean Jordan BE RETAINED.
Judge Jordan was appointed to the Denver County Court bench in 1994. Prior to her appointment to the bench, she was a Deputy Colorado State Public Defender in the Denver Trial Office for five years and later was a sole practitioner in Denver, specializing in criminal defense and civil litigation. Judge Jordan's undergraduate degree is from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She received her law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1980. Judge Jordan presently hears civil cases. She has also served in the following divisions: traffic court, state criminal court, and municipal court.
The Commission reviewed written evaluations of Judge Jordan from attorneys and non-attorneys, including written verbatim comments attached to the evaluation questionnaires. The Commission also considered a written self-evaluation completed by Judge Jordan and conducted a personal interview with Judge Jordan.
Judge Jordan believes that it is very important for judges to stay connected to the community. She regularly speaks at schools, churches and other functions that encourage and promote achievement and success. Judge Jordan enjoys her job and works hard to do it well. Her judicial philosophy includes keeping an open mind and following the law. She has a great willingness to listen and creates an atmosphere in her courtroom in which the parties understand and believe that their case is important. For recreation, Judge Jordan enjoys walking, reading and working in her yard.
Judge Jordan received high ratings from both attorneys and non-attorneys in virtually every category, particularly in the areas of being courteous; treating all parties equally; communicating clearly, thoroughly and in a well-reasoned manner; maintaining proper judicial temperament; correctly applying the law; and performing with diligence, efficiency and minimal delay. Of the attorneys responding to the questionnaire, 72% recommended that Judge Jordan be retained in office, 21% recommended that she not be retained, and 8% had no opinion. Of the non-attorneys responding to the questionnaire, 67% recommended retention, 21% recommended non-retention, and 12% had no opinion.