LAW WEEK COLORADO
DENVER — Gov. John Hickenlooper has until Oct. 28 to announce who he will choose to succeed Justice Alex Martinez on the Colorado Supreme Court. The finalists are Brian Boatright, a district judge in Jefferson County; Frederick Martinez, a litigator with Hall & Evans (no relation to Alex Martinez); and Patrick O’Rourke, head of the University of Colorado’s litigation department. Each finalists’ high-court application included five letters of reference that testify to the special qualities that would make them an ideal justice.
O’Rourke’s letters tell of a brilliant legal mind who has won important victories for CU. University President Bruce Benson ticks off a list of big cases O’Rourke has handled: controversial ex-Professor Ward Churchill’s lawsuit, Students for Concealed Carry and others. Excerpts of each letter are below, followed by the full versions.
Bruce Benson, CU president:
In leading our Litigation Department, he has successfully defended CU in cases ranging from the Ward Churchill First Amendment litigation to the Students for Concealed Carry lawsuit (both under appeal). He also was our lead attorney on the Lisa Simpson Title IX case and led our work toward a settlement. Additionally, he has successfully defended CU in medical malpractice cases and others important to our university. His output is prodigious, and he brings the same stellar work ethic to all he does.
Hank Brown, former CU president:
He represented the university in several cases that were important to the university, not only legally, but also in the public’s perception of the institution. Because the citizens of the State of Colorado support the university, they legitimately expect the university’s attorneys to represent it with competency and integrity. Pat has represented the university exceptionally well in the courtroom and in the community.
Michael Carrigan, CU regent:
On many occasions I have turned to Pat for advice on complex legal questions and I am often amazed at his encyclopedic knowledge of Colorado law. Frequently, without opening a book or a brief, he could name the specific case and statute relevant to my question. I truly believe that he has one of the best legal minds in Colorado of my generation.
Mark Fogg, Colorado Bar Association president-elect:
Within the practicing bar he is referred to as one of our most gifted brief writers and is able to grasp the essential issues of a problem very quickly. His writing is clear and concise. His excellent trial abilities were again confirmed in his handling of the difficult Professor Churchill litigation.
Liz Starrs, Colorado Bar Association past-president:
Pat has always appeared to have both an interest in the law and a special ability to apply it to the issue at hand. He certainly has proven himself a formidable advocate on the appellate level but dealing with him privately I recognize that he understands the nuances of the law’s impact on a case and the reasonableness of contrary interpretations. He has also demonstrated the ability to make tough calls when necessary.
