Lynch, Denise 2020 Evaluation

Reports:
2020 Retention Survey Report
2017 Interim Survey Report

Judge Denise K. Lynch MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. The Judicial Performance Commission for Colorado’s Ninth Judicial District is comprised of 10 commissioners, who voted unanimously for that recommendation.

Judge Lynch receives consistent high praise for her promptness and decisiveness in ruling; her efficient, no-nonsense approach to courtroom management; and her personable demeanor.  Each of these strengths has a counterpart.  Some observers perceive prompt, decisive rulings as “shooting from the hip”; efficient, no-nonsense courtroom management as pre-judging cases; or personable interactions within the courtroom as too informal at times.  The commission, after careful consideration of Judge Lynch, has concluded that the praise is warranted.  With respect to the perceptions that sometimes construe those strengths as counterpart weakness, whenever in her career Judge Lynch has become aware of such misperceptions, she has taken responsible and appropriate corrective action.  Judge Lynch evinces the highest level of integrity, has excellent legal knowledge and communication skills, and is a significant asset to the 9th Judicial District.

In evaluating Judge Lynch’s performance, each commissioner observed her in court and conducted interviews with the public defender, the district attorney, the chief judge for the 9th Judicial District, and Judge Lynch.  The commission also reviewed surveys from 2020 filled out by attorneys, non-attorneys (such as jurors and litigants), and court personnel; a self-evaluation completed by the judge; and performance statistics relating to her docket management.  In addition, to track Judge Lynch’s performance and improvement over time, the commission reviewed surveys from 2011, 2014, and 2017. Judge Lynch throughout her career has received above-average marks as compared with all Colorado district court judges in the areas of case-management, application and knowledge of law, communication, diligence, demeanor, and fairness.

Judge Lynch received a B.A. from Michigan State University in 1979.  She received her law degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School at Western Michigan University in 1982, graduating summa cum laude.  She engaged in private practice as a trial lawyer from 1983 until 2001.  In 2001, she began working as an Assistant County Attorney for Garfield County and continued that work until her appointment to the bench in 2006.  Since becoming a judge, Judge Lynch has presided over drug court and has spoken at numerous seminars for lawyers and judges.