Thirteenth Judicial District - Phillips County Court Judge
Honorable Kimbra Killin
Retention Year: 2024
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standards
Reports:
*Insufficient responses to publish Survey Reports
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The Thirteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 7-0, with two members absent and one vacancy, that Judge Kimbra Killin MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
Judge Killin was appointed to the Phillips County Court in May 2014. Judge Killin is a part-time county court judge. She currently hears misdemeanor, traffic and civil county court cases, and does assist other county judges with their dockets as needed. Based upon the Commission’s overall evaluation, Judge Killin has demonstrated that she meets performance standards in all categories (integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and public). Unfortunately, Judge Killin did not receive sufficient survey responses for the Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation to publish a report. Judge Killin readily admits that the surveys would help with the outside perception of what she is doing. However, she balances the lack of surveys by talking with and getting feedback directly from attorneys.
The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Killin, reviewed a sample of her submitted decisions, and observed her in court. Judge Killin answered questions regarding her demeanor in court. Judge Killin has the attitude that people make mistakes. She doesn’t have any angst about people in court and when necessary, she slows things down and asks if they have questions. Judge Killin addresses folks by last name in order to demonstrate that they are on equal footing. Judge Killin stays up to date by utilizing a Listserv, asking opinions of other judges and ultimately finds the time to author updates to the Thirteenth Judicial District’s County Court Criminal Benchbook.
Judge Killin received her bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Regis University in 1990 and her Juris Doctor from the University of Denver in 1994. Judge Killin has limited her private practice of law, now serving as Of Counsel to Kelley Law Ltd. in Holyoke. She continues to participate in management of the family farm, heavy equipment hauling business, and manages the family’s commercial rentals. Judge Killin serves on two local scholarship boards, currently the Leland Trust and the Holyoke Schools Scholarship Trust.