Colorado Supreme Court
Honorable Monica M. Márquez
Retention Year: 2014
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standard
Reports:
2014 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2013 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The State Commission on Judicial Performance recommends by a vote of 10 to 0 that Justice Monica M. Márquez BE RETAINED.
Justice Márquez was appointed to the Colorado Supreme Court in 2010. She received a bachelor's degree from Stanford University in 1991 and earned her law degree from Yale Law School in 1997. Following graduation, Justice Márquez served as a law clerk for two federal judges. She was in private law practice until 2002, and then worked in the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. In that Office she served as Assistant Solicitor General and Assistant Attorney General in the Public Officials Unit and Criminal Appellate Section, and as Deputy Attorney General in charge of the State Services Section. Prior to her appointment to the Court, Justice Márquez served on the boards of the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association, the Colorado GLBT Bar Association, and the Latina Initiative, and chaired the Denver Mayor’s GLBT Commission.
The Commission reviewed survey responses from attorneys and judges regarding Justice Márquez’ performance, read opinions she authored, observed her in oral arguments, reviewed her self-evaluation, and conducted a personal interview. Among the survey questions was “how strongly do you recommend that Justice Márquez be retained or not be retained in office?” Of attorneys responding to the survey, 83% recommended to retain, 8% recommended not to retain, and 8% made no recommendation regarding retention. Of judges responding to the survey, 93% recommended to retain, 2% not to retain, and 6% made no recommendation regarding retention. (These percentages do not add up to 100% due to rounding.)
Attorney survey responses indicate that Justice Márquez’ performance is strong in the areas of being courteous toward attorneys, treating parties equally regardless of race, sex, or economic status, and allowing parties to present their arguments. Numerous attorneys commented that Justice Márquez is intelligent and well prepared for oral argument. The survey responses and comments of district court and appellate judges similarly indicate that Justice Márquez writes thoughtful opinions, is hard working, and contributes to the community. The Commission found Justice Márquez to be well prepared and articulate in oral argument, and courteous and respectful to attorneys appearing before the Court. The Commission reviewed several of Justice Márquez’ opinions and found them to be clear, thoughtful, and well-reasoned. Overall, the Commission believes that Justice Márquez is an asset to the Colorado Supreme Court, and commends her continuous activity in the community.