Nancy Woodruff Salomone

The Twentieth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance, by a vote of 10-0, finds that Chief Judge Nancy Woodruff Salomone MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .

Judge Salomone has presided over criminal, civil, domestic relations, and probate dockets in the 20th Judicial District during her nearly nine years on the bench. As Chief Judge, she has responsibility for not only her own cases but also the administration of the county and district courts within the District. The Commission finds Judge Salomone to be sharp, organized, empathetic, and highly skilled at legal analysis. Judge Salomone has advanced innovations in court processes, including in her work presiding over the post-judgment Adult Integrated Treatment Court focused on substance abuse issues, as well as in her work presiding over the recently formed pre-judgement Competency Docket. She is valued for her firm and fair management of the courtroom, her balanced concern for both victims and the accused, and her diligent administration of the 20th Judicial District.

The Judicial Performance Commission evaluates judges on six standards: legal knowledge, communication, administrative performance, integrity, judicial temperament, and service to the legal profession. To evaluate Judge Salomone’s performance the Commission observed her in court, reviewed opinions she authored, considered her self-evaluation, held a public meeting to invite comments, and reviewed responses to a survey distributed to all persons who have appeared in her court. The Commission also conducted personal interviews with Judge Salomone, the District Attorney, and a representative of the Boulder defense bar.

Judge Salomone was appointed as a District Judge in October 2017. Prior to her appointment, she practiced as a partner in a Boulder law firm, as a solo practitioner, and as a deputy state public defender in Denver. As Chief Judge, she represents the District while engaging with court-involved organizations and the legal community. Some examples include recurring meetings with court sub-agencies, local law enforcement, Boulder County leaders, and directors of the court’s partner agencies. She convenes local leadership councils and participates in the statewide Chief Judge Council. She is a member of statewide committees including the Multidistrict Litigation Panel, the Criminal Benchbook Committee, and the Judicial Equity Project. She speaks at local schools, and she previously provided coaching assistance to a local high school mock trial team. Judge Salomone earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1994 and her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1998.

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