Michael L. Bender

Michael L. Bender
Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court
In office
December 1, 2010  January 7, 2014
Succeeded by Nancy E. Rice
Associate Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court
In office
January 2, 1997  December 1, 2010
Appointed by Roy Romer
Preceded by Mary Mullarkey
Personal details
Born January 7, 1942
Spouse(s) Helen H. Hand
Alma mater Dartmouth College,
University of Colorado Law School

Michael L. Bender (born January 7, 1942)[1] is the 44th and former Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court.

Bender earned a B.A. from Dartmouth College in 1964 and a law degree from the University of Colorado Law School in 1967.[1] Prior to becoming a judge, he worked in private practice, for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and as a public defender in Denver and Jefferson County and for the state.[2] Bender also taught criminal law, criminal trial advocacy, and employment discrimination law at the University of Denver College of Law.[1]

Bender was first appointed to the Colorado Supreme Court January 2, 1997 by Governor Roy Romer.[1] He won retention in 2010, despite opposition from conservative and Libertarian groups.[2] He was voted Chief Justice by his fellow justices in 2010, taking the position on December 1, 2010. He retired from the court on January 7, 2014.

Bender is a registered Democrat.[2] He has five children with his wife, Helen H. Hand, a psychologist who runs Colorado Free University; the couple live in the Stapleton development in Denver.[2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Bio - Michael L. Bender, Colorado State Judicial Branch, retrieved June 22, 2012.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Cardona, Felisa (November 11, 2010), "Michael L. Bender to lead Colorado's top court", The Denver Post, retrieved June 22, 2012.