Second Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Catherine A. Lemon
Retention Year: 2006
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously recommends that Judge Catherine A. Lemon BE RETAINED.
Judge Lemon was appointed to the Denver District Court bench in January 2004. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Lemon practiced law for more than 20 years, the last 16 years at a private law firm in Denver in the area of business litigation. Judge Lemon received her undergraduate degree from Vassar College and graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1982. Judge Lemon began her appointment to the bench in 2004 hearing domestic cases. She now presides over civil cases.
The Commission reviewed written evaluations of Judge Lemon from attorneys and non-attorneys, including written comments attached to the evaluation questionnaires. The Commission also considered a written self-evaluation completed by Judge Lemon and conducted a personal interview with Judge Lemon.
Community service is very important to Judge Lemon. Prior to taking the bench she volunteered with the Colorado Lawyers Committee, the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, the Legal Aid Foundation, and the Colorado Women’s Bar Association. Since taking the bench Judge Lemon has continued to provide community service by serving on the Judicial Advisory Council to the Colorado Supreme Court, the Disciplinary Review Board for the Judiciary, the Board of Governors of the Colorado Bar Association and the Board of Directors of Invest in Kids.
Judge Lemon received slightly below average ratings from attorneys in application and knowledge of law, demeanor, and diligence. Judge Lemon received average ratings from attorneys on overall case management and above average ratings on keeping cases moving, promptly ruling on pretrial motions and beginning court on time. She received average ratings from non-attorneys in demeanor and in diligence. Non-attorneys gave Judge Lemon high ratings in using language everyone can understand, treating participants politely and with respect, treating fairly people who represent themselves, managing court proceedings so there is little wasted time and beginning court on time. Of the attorneys responding to the questionnaire, 77% recommended that Judge Lemon be retained in office and 23% recommended that she not be retained. Of the non-attorneys responding to the questionnaire, 87% recommended retention and 13% recommended non-retention.