Colorado Supreme Court
Honorable Nancy E. Rice
Retention Year: 2000
Recommendation: Retain
The State Commission on Judicial Performance recommends that Justice Nancy E. Rice BE RETAINED.
Justice Rice was appointed to the Colorado Supreme Court in 1998. Prior to her appointment, she was a Denver District Court Judge, 1987-1998, an Assistant U.S. Attorney, 1977-1987, Deputy Chief of the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office, 1985-1987, and a Deputy State Public Defender, Appellate Division, 1976-1977. Since 1987, Justice Rice has been an Adjunct Professor of Law in trial advocacy at the University of Colorado School of Law. Justice Rice is a graduate of the University of Utah College of Law.
Justice Rice brings important trial court experience to the bench and serves as liaison with trial court judges. Her interest in litigation and numerous public articles in the field make her a valuable member of the Governor's Task Force on Civil Justice Reform. In addition, she teaches for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver and speaks to various groups in the community including lawyers, law students and high school students.
Justice Rice displays an insightful, sophisticated approach to problem solving and recognizes the importance of leadership and consensus building in bringing about meaningful change in the courts. The State Commission believes her leadership regarding the role of magistrates in the Colorado court system is key to addressing that important public policy issue.
Attorneys and court personnel rated Justice Rice very highly. Eighty-two percent (82%) voted to retain Justice Rice, 6% voted not to retain, and 12% had no opinion. Ninety-two percent (92%) of trial court judges voted to retain Justice Rice, 0% voted not to retain, and 8% had no opinion.