First Judicial District - District Court Judge
Honorable Tamara S. Russell
Retention Year: 2008
Recommendation: Retain
Reports:
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The First Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously and strongly recommends that Judge Tamara S. Russell BE RETAINED.
Background: Judge Russell was appointed to the First Judicial District Court in October 2005. Before her appointment to the Court, Judge Russell was the Chief Deputy City Attorney for the City of Lakewood, Colorado. Since being appointed to the Court, Judge Russell has been involved in numerous community service activities, and has been involved in several groups and organizations. Judge Russell currently serves as Co-Chair of the district’s drug court committee; member of the Supreme Court Jury System Standing Committee; and was a speaker at the Women’s Bar Association convention.
Strengths: Judge Russell scored above average in virtually every category in which she was rated. She received perfect scores in using understandable language and not engaging in ex parte communications. Comments received from both attorneys and non-attorneys state that Judge Russell was well prepared, listened intently through the proceedings, and made fair and thoughtful rulings. She possesses outstanding judicial demeanor, she is efficient, and a very smart and professional judge. Judge Russell has a note to herself on the bench that says “Be kinder than necessary, everyone you meet is fighting some type of battle.” This note exemplifies Judge Russell’s caring and sensitivity to those who appear before her. Committee members had the opportunity to observe several of Judge Russell’s hearings. The Committee’s interview with Judge Russell confirmed many of the positive comments stated by others. Of attorneys surveyed, 92% recommended retention. Of non-attorneys surveyed, 90% recommended that she be retained.
Weakness: Some of the comments in the survey stated that the judge seems to have been under time pressures, which they perceived as rushed judicial proceedings. Other comments regarding Judge Russell’s weakness could best be categorized as lack of experience on the bench, and all of the comments indicate that Judge Russell is improving with experience.
Recommendation: Judge Russell received one of the highest retention scores (91%) from the attorneys’ survey, and (92%) from the non-attorneys’ survey when compared to the averages for all judges in the state. The Commission strongly recommends that Judge Tamara S. Russell BE RETAINED.