David N. Karpel

The Eighteenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance agrees by a vote of 8-0, with one member absent and one vacancy on the Commission, that Judge David N. Karpel MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS . The Colorado statutory judicial performance criteria are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance and service to the legal profession and to the public.

After meeting with Judge Karpel, reviewing his work and assessing feedback from attorneys and non-attorneys, the Commission was unanimous that Judge Karpel meets judicial performance standards. Judge Karpel effectively applies the law to the facts before him, he is on top of his caseload and is very efficient. Judge Karpel’s courtroom demeanor is measured, direct, and calm. He is unbiased and treats participants with dignity and respect. Judge Karpel actively focuses on mentoring younger and inexperienced attorneys. Based on all the aforementioned considerations, the Judicial Performance Commission recommends that Judge Karpel meets performance standards and should be retained.

The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Karpel, reviewed opinions he authored, observed him in court, reviewed comments received from interested parties during the evaluation process, and reviewed survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who had experience with Judge Karpel. Because of the small number of surveys responses, the Commission used the survey feedback to check the Commissioners’ independent findings. The overwhelming majority of attorney respondents agreed that Judge Karpel meets performance standards. Non-attorneys praised Judge Karpel’s performance consistently finding that he gives proceedings a sense of dignity, treats participants with respect, and has a sense of compassion and human understanding for those who appear in court.

Judge Karpel was appointed to the District Court bench in 2023. He graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder, a law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. Following law school, he accepted a commission in the Navy’s Judge Advocate General Corps, serving as a prosecutor and defense counsel. He then served in the active reserves in a variety of commands and retired at the rank of Captain. He was a Senior Deputy District Attorney with the Denver District Attorney’s Office, followed by serving as federal prosecutor with the United States Justice Department’s Organized Crime and Gang Section in Washington, D.C. Judge Karpel participates in the “Law School Yes We Can Program” as a mentor to a University of Colorado student and in a program that brings Justices and Judges to speak at high schools in the Denver Metro area. Previously, he served on the CU Alumni Association Board as well as serving as Chair of the Board. He has also served on the Dean of the Leeds School of Business Advisory Board and the CU Foundation. Judge Karpel also participated in meals-on-wheels and served as a big brother in the Big Brother’s-Big Sister’s program.

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