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Mitchell R. MorrisseYs District Attorney - Second Judicial District
201 W. Colfax Avenue, Dept. 801, Denver, CO 80202
September 19, 2011
Supreme Court Nominating Commission
Chief Justice Michael Bender, Ex Officio Chair
101 West Colfax Avenue, Suite 800
Denver, CO 80202
Ms, Ptlone: 72b-\jdJj668
Fax: 720-913-9035
Re: Application for Vacancy on the Colorado Supreme Court by Frederick T. Martinez
Dear Commission Members:
It is my honor to recommend Frederick T. Martinez, Jr. for the judicial vacancy on the Colorado
Supreme Court. I believe that Fred brings a diverse legal background and experience to the
Court (if selected) coupled with a sharp analytical mind that is also tempered with sound
judgment and common sense.
I have known Fred since his early days in the Denver Office of the Colorado Public Defender. In
that office he established himself as a well-regarded professional with the highest standards of
professional ethics. In the courtroom he was a hardworking, always well-prepared, effective
advocate who gained a reputation, in this office as well as before the bench, as a highly respected
advocate for his clients. He also established himself as an effective supervisor ofthe Juvenile
Division ofthe Public Defender's Office serving as a leader who led by example and not just by
words.
When Fred left the Public Defender's Office in 1999 to enter private practice he truly left a void
behind him. His early success in private practice, specializing particularly in employment
litigation involving railroads and federal liability statutes, led to his being asked to join the
prestigious Denver law firm ofHall and Evans. There, he has maintained his established
specialty while also broadening the expanse ofhis practice to include, among other things, the
representation of attorneys in matters that involve potential attorney discipline by the Colorado
Supreme Court under the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct. It is in this realm of
professional conduct matters that I have had the most recent opportunity to observe Fred's
professionalism and advocacy on a close-up basis as over the last six or seven years he has
represented several attorneys in my office in this regard.
My belief is that attorneys who are often the most effective in the realm of professional conduct
matters are individuals who personally live and practice law according to the highest ofthose
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September 19, 2011
ethical standards. This describes how Fred has chosen to conduct himself since I've known him.
He treats all persons with proper individual respect. While acting as an advocate he is
consistently fair but does not compromise the best interests of his client in the process. He is a
skilled legal tactician who understands law, in-depth, and quickly recognizes and anticipates the
possible implications of specific legal arguments. He is a student of the law. He is also collegial
with opposing counsel while maintaining appropriate professional opprobrium. Finally, he treats
his clients with the highest respect and is highly effective in communicating with those
throughout the course of his representation. Needless to say, in the arena of professional conduct,
these communications can be especially challenging with lawyer-clients.
In my view, each of the above-described skills translates easily into a skill or approach to the law
that is required to be an outstanding member ofthe judiciary. Ifhe is selected for the Colorado
Supreme Court I believe Fred will further distinguish himself as a hard-working, thoughtful, and
insightful lawyer who upholds the highest ethical standards of the profession. Colorado would
indeed be fortunate to have Fred Martinez selected for this judicial opening.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Mitchell R. Morrissey
District Attorney