The Eighth Judicial District Commission on Judicial Performance finds that Judge Thomas L. Lynch MEETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS by a vote of 8-0 with one commissioner absent and one commission vacancy. The judicial performance standards are integrity, legal knowledge, communication skills, judicial temperament, administrative performance, and service to the legal profession and public.
Judge Lynch believes in the importance of a streamlined and efficient courtroom. He has developed innovative processes to support these efforts. Examples include making local service providers available in his courtroom to assist in the use of Medically Guided Treatment Supervision and encourages utilizing free mediation services in landlord tenant cases. Judge Lynch employs specific processes and requirements for virtual appearances. He identifies limitations of the current virtual technology. Through his written procedures, he strives to ensure that courtroom decorum is maintained. Judge Lynch is currently participating in a pilot program for virtual appearances utilizing a new more secure and dedicated program developed exclusively for use in courtroom settings. The Commission believes that Judge Lynch is a competent and capable judicial officer. He is respectful and ensures that parties feel heard in his courtroom. His demeanor is calm and professional when addressing those appearing before him. The Commission believes that Judge Lynch is an asset to the Courts and the State of Colorado.
For this evaluation, the Commission interviewed Judge Lynch, read a selection of his legal opinions, observed him in court, reviewed his judicial performance survey report, interviewed the chief judge for the district, the district attorney and head of the public defenders’ office for the district, reviewed case management statistics, and reviewed his self-evaluation. As to the survey data, a total of 23 individuals, 11 attorneys and 12 non-attorneys, completed the survey, which is a markedly low response rate. Given the significantly low response rates to the surveys overall, the Commission gave the appropriate weight to the survey responses in its evaluation.
Judge Lynch was appointed as a Larimer County Court Judge by Governor Bill Ritter and took the bench in December 2010. His experience prior to the bench includes service as a deputy district attorney and non-legal work in the private sector. Judge Lynch received his Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wyoming.
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