The Seventeenth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance agrees by a vote of 7 to 1, with two commissioners absent, that Judge Sean Patrick Finn MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .
Judge Finn is widely regarded as a highly knowledgeable and intellectually rigorous jurist. Attorneys and judicial colleagues consistently described him as well prepared, efficient, and very familiar with the law. The Commission found notable strengths in legal knowledge, administrative performance, and courtroom management. Judge Finn maintains an efficient docket, communicates clear expectations to counsel, and is recognized for his command of courtroom procedure and the law. He is also active in legal education, teaching judges, and attorneys throughout Colorado.
The Commission evaluated Judge Finn through courtroom observation, review of selected written decisions, survey responses (which, as with many judicial evaluations, were limited, with 44 total responses including 7 attorney responses), interviews with Judge Finn, the Chief Judge of the 17th Judicial District, and representatives from both the Public Defender’s Office and District Attorney’s Office, judicial performance data, and Judge Finn’s self-evaluation. The Commission found that Judge Finn demonstrates professionalism and a commitment to the judicial role. At the same time, some members of the Commission identified concerns relating to Judge Finn’s interaction with attorneys that warrant continued attention. The Commission discussed these matters directly with Judge Finn and it believes that increased sensitivity to how all participants experience proceedings in his courtroom will further enhance confidence in his fairness, impartiality, and professionalism.
Judge Finn has served as a District Court Judge in the 17th Judicial District, serving Adams and Broomfield Counties, since his appointment in 2018 by Governor John Hickenlooper. During this evaluation term, he presided over civil, domestic relations, juvenile, mental health, and criminal matters. Before joining the bench, Judge Finn served as a Senior Deputy District Attorney in Adams and Broomfield Counties and as Chief Trial Deputy and Chief Appellate Deputy in Boulder County. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado and his law degree from Loyola Law School and remains active in legal education and professional training statewide.
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