Colorado Court of Appeals
Honorable Sueanna P. Johnson
Retention Year: 2022
Recommendation: Meets Performance Standard
Reports:
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The State Commission on Judicial Performance finds that Judge Sueanna P. Johnson MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, by a vote of 11 - 0. 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 Johnson has been on the Colorado Court of Appeals for a little over two years and this is her first retention evaluation as a Court of Appeals judge. The Commission finds that Judge Johnson’s decisions are well-written and well-reasoned. Although she is still on a learning curve, with room to grow, she is a quick study. The Commission believes that as a former member of the Attorney General’s office, and as a person with an acknowledged visual impairment, Judge Johnson's contributions to the perspective and sensitivity of the court have enriched the Court of Appeals. The Commission also believes she is to be commended for her service to the community and for her leadership in establishing a specialty bar for lawyers with disabilities. The Commission finds Judge Johnson is a valuable addition to the Court of Appeals.
To conduct our evaluation, the Commission interviewed Judge Johnson, reviewed her self-evaluation, observed oral arguments, read a selection of her legal opinions, and considered survey responses from attorneys and judges. Judge Johnson’s survey scores were at or above average in almost all categories. Notably, Judge Johnson’s survey results indicate she has a conscientious approach to oral argument and in facilitating a respectful and professional setting in the courtroom and Chambers. She also scored highly on the survey question of whether Judge Johnson met judicial performance standards. Of the attorneys who responded to that question, 82% answered yes and 6% answered no. Of the judges who responded to that question, 88% answered yes and 6% answered no.
Judge Johnson was appointed to the Court of Appeals in February of 2020. She earned her undergraduate degree from Colorado College in 1997 and received her law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law in 2003. She clerked for a district court judge before working at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office from October 2004 until her appointment to the bench. At the Attorney General’s Office, she worked in both the Business & Licensing Section and State Services Section, representing elected officials and state agencies in administrative, district court, appellate, and federal court proceedings. She is active in the Asian Pacific American Bar Association, serves on the Executive Committee for the Thompson and Lucy Marsh Inn of Court, and is a Board Member of the Colorado Judicial Institute.