Fourth Judicial District - El Paso County Court Judge
Honorable Meredith Patrick Cord
Retention Year: 2022
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standard
The Fourth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance voted 5-0 with 5 absent that Judge Meredith Patrick Cord MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. The Colorado statutory judicial performance standards are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and the public
Judge Patrick Cord’s docket includes 90% criminal and 10% civil. Judge Patrick Cord always maintains a professional judicial demeanor, and she is extremely intelligent. She is described as knowledgeable, courteous, patient, dignified, and steady. She displays a strong work ethic and is always prepared for court. Judge Patrick Cord treats attorneys and non-attorneys with respect, and she is empathetic with persons appearing in her courtroom. Judge Patrick Cord works diligently to learn how to be an outstanding judge and how to improve her judicial performance. She communicates clearly when speaking from the bench, and she has strong legal writing skills. Judge Patrick Cord’s integrity is faultless. Her overall combined performance score on the 2022 Judicial Performance Survey was 3.5 out of 4.0, which was higher than the average score of 3.4 for all County Court Judges. 88% of the responding attorneys and 95% of non-attorneys believe that Judge Patrick Cord meets judicial performance standards. Judge Cord received strong marks in the survey such as 3.6 for case management, 3.5 for application and knowledge of law, 3.5 for communication, 3.5 for demeanor, and 3.4 for fairness. The Commission observed Judge Patrick Cord in court and found her to be the model of steadiness, as well as professional, knowledgeable, courteous, patient, and efficient. The Commission believes Judge Patrick Cord is a true asset to the community.
In evaluating the performance of Judge Patrick Cord, the Commission considered the results of her 2022 Judicial Performance Survey, which was compiled based on 42 completed surveys (18 attorneys and 24 non-attorneys). The Commission interviewed the chief judge, a representative of the District Attorney’s Office and the lead Public Defender about Judge Patrick Cord. Numerous members of the Commission observed Judge Patrick Cord in court, and the Commission interviewed Judge Patrick Cord. The Commission also considered Judge Patrick Cord’s self-evaluation and written opinions.
Judge Patrick Cord was appointed to the El Paso County Court in January 2019. Prior to her appointment, she served as a District Court Magistrate in Colorado Springs for over four years handling domestic relations and child support matters. Before taking the bench, Judge Patrick Cord was a shareholder with the law firm Johnson & Cord, P.C. practicing family law. She was an associate attorney at Kane, Donley, and Johnson and the Marrison Law Firm. She was also a prosecutor with the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Judge Patrick Cord serves the community by volunteering with non-profit and other professional organizations.