Wednesday: Judgepedia's "Federal Courts, Empty Benches" Update →Colorado Chief Justice to retire
June 4, 2010
Colorado: Justice Mary Mullarkey announced yesterday that she will step down from the Colorado Supreme Court on November 30, 2010. Having served on the court since 1987 and as chief justice since 1998, Mullarkey's tenure on the court has been substantial. [1]
Though Mullarkey was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1994, her health is not the reason for her departure. Rather, she cited family milestones as her motivation for retirement.[2]
However, many observers have noted that her decision to retire was almost certainly influenced by the existence of a vigorous non-retention campaign spearheaded by the judicial accountability and reform organization Clear The Bench Colorado which presaged a "tough vote" for her to retain office. [3]
Throughout her career, Mullarkey has concentrated on different aspects of the law. She has worked for the federal government, for the U.S. Department of the Interior and the state of Colorado, as solicitor general, adviser to former Governor Richard Lamm and as a Supreme Court justice.
Because she will leave in November, Governor Bill Ritter will have the opportunity to appoint a new justice before he leaves office in January. Before he gets the chance, however, a panel will take applications from interested parties, then select three nominees for Ritter.[1]
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