Karl L. Schock

The State Commission on Judicial Performance finds that Judge Karl L. Schock, by vote of 9-0 with one commissioner absent, and one commission vacancy, MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS . Colorado’s statutory judicial performance standards are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, and service to the legal profession and the public.

Judge Schock was appointed to the Colorado Court of Appeals in 2022 and has served for four years. The Commission finds that he has the qualities of an excellent Court of Appeals judge. His written opinions are clear and easy to understand. At oral argument, he is respectful, curious, and well-prepared on both the facts and the law. He also serves on committees that work on model criminal jury instructions and probation services, which helps improve the courts.

To reach its decision, the Commission interviewed Judge Schock; reviewed his self-evaluation; watched several oral arguments; and read many of his opinions, concurrences, and dissents. It also reviewed survey responses from attorneys and judges. Every person surveyed agreed that Judge Schock meets Colorado’s judicial performance standards. Many praised his clear writing. Some noted that his separate concurrences and dissents show care in his work. Others said his questions at oral argument made them feel he took their legal issues seriously.

Judge Schock earned his undergraduate degree from Northern Arizona University and his law degree from the University of Colorado in 2006. He then clerked for Judge Michael Murphy on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. After clerking, he joined the law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck until 2015 when he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Appellate Division before being appointed to the bench in 2022.

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