Seventeenth Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Emily C. Lieberman
Retention Year: 2022
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standard
Reports:
2022 Retention Survey Report (PDF)
2021 Interim Survey Report (PDF)
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The Seventeenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees Judge Emily C. Lieberman MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, by a vote of 8 – 0 (one recusal). 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.
Since her appointment to the bench in August of 2020, Judge Lieberman’s docket has been exclusively domestic relations matters. Judge Lieberman received a 96% score among attorneys for meeting performance standards and a 55% score from non-attorneys. Her survey scores in Case Management, Application and Knowledge of Law, Communications, Diligence, Demeanor and Fairness were generally average for a district court judge handling a domestic relations docket, which were viewed by the Commission as a positive indication that the Judge was performing her duties well, given Judge Lieberman did not have a prior background in domestic relations. Both survey data and the Commission’s own observations show that Judge Lieberman is balanced and fair. Her rulings reflect the seriousness with which she takes her work. Comments regarding Judge Lieberman's rulings frequently noted that her rulings are well-reasoned, and her decisions frequently brought effective resolutions to difficult family law situations. Judge Lieberman received positive comments for her preparation in handling matters before her. Survey data did indicate that non-attorneys may perceive Judge Lieberman as having a bias and a lack of compassion, but the Commission believes this perception of Judge Lieberman will improve with experience and will result in an enhanced perception of her fairness and compassion.
In performing its evaluation, the Commission conducted an in-person interview with Judge Lieberman. It also read a selection of her legal opinions, observed her in court, reviewed her judicial performance survey report and reviewed her self-evaluation. A survey of appellate judges familiar with Judge Lieberman rate her higher than the average district court judge. Judge Lieberman is meeting performance standards despite a very heavy docket and lack of a paralegal or law clerk to help her with the demands of a heavy workload.
Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Lieberman was a Deputy State Public Defender in the 17th Judicial District. Judge Lieberman received her undergraduate degree from McGill University and her Juris Doctorate from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.