John Eric Elliff

The Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance unanimously agrees by a vote of 10-0 that Judge John Eric Elliff 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 the public.

Judge Elliff currently presides over domestic relations matters in the Denver District Court. Judge Elliff meets all aspects of the performance criteria on which he is evaluated. The Commission commends Judge Elliff for mentoring newer judges, his preparation and knowledge of the law. Judge Elliff’s written decisions are well reasoned, comprehensive and clear. His notable strengths, as observed by the Commission and described in survey responses, include his professional judicial temperament, the clarity and promptness of his decisions, and his commitment to treating pro se litigants with respect. The Commission, based on its observation and analysis of survey responses, did not identify any evaluation category in which Judge Elliff displayed a notable weakness as to the performance criteria. Judge Elliff exceeded the Court’s productivity benchmark for civil and domestic relations cases.

The Commission met with the Chief Judge of Denver District Court to discuss challenges facing the court system. The Commission conducted a personal interview with Judge Elliff and observed him during court proceedings. It also reviewed opinions he authored, comments received from interested parties during the evaluation, case management data, and judicial performance survey responses from attorneys and non-attorneys who interacted with him. The surveys reflected personal opinions regarding Judge Elliff in the categories of case management, application and knowledge of the law, communications, diligence, demeanor, and fairness. A total of 8 attorneys and 10 non-attorneys responded to the judicial performance surveys expressing their opinion of Judge Elliff. The overall information and data reviewed supports the Commission’s recommendation that Judge Elliff meets performance standards.

Judge Elliff was appointed to the Denver District Court in January 2011. Prior to his appointment, he was a partner in the Denver office of Husch Blackwell, where he specialized in commercial and intellectual property litigation. Judge Elliff has remained actively involved in several professional and community service initiatives, including serving as a mentor for “Law School Yes We Can,” an organization that supports underprivileged minority college students interested in attending law school. He also mentors other judges, serves on the Colorado Supreme Court Civil Rules Committee, and participates in the Underfunded Courthouse Committee, which works with judges, state officials, and county commissioners to support improvements to court facilities in rural communities throughout Colorado. Judge Elliff received his undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis and law degree from the University of Colorado Law School.

1300 Broadway, Suite 220 Denver, Colorado 80203

(303) 928-7777