Sturm College of Law adjunct professor and Denver District Court Judge William Hood III was selected by Governor John Hickenlooper last week to be the new Colorado Supreme Court Justice.
“It’s a tremendous honor,” said Hood. “I’m very excited.”

Hood has been teaching classes in trial practice and criminal procedure at the DU Sturm College of Law for about 10 years. He earned his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law before working at the law firm of Holme Roberts and Owen in Denver. He then worked in the District Attorney’s office in Arapahoe County for several years before working in private practice and eventually becoming a Denver District Court Judge in 2007.

“[Hood] has consistently demonstrated an ability to fairly apply the law while administering justice,” Hickenlooper said in his announcement of the selection, according to the Denver Post. “His breadth of experience on both sides of the courtroom is invaluable to informed decisions.”

Hood said most of his cases have been in the area of criminal law, but he has also done a significant amount of civil litigation. He also said he is excited for the position because it will allow him to delve further into cases than he has been able to at the district court level and will let him serve the public.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to think about cases on a deeper level,” he said, explaining that judges at the Supreme Court level examine fewer cases but in greater depth. “Also just to serve the state—I really enjoy being a public servant and the opportunity to be able to do that statewide is exciting too.”

The process to be selected for the Colorado Supreme Court is multifaceted. The first step is an in-depth application that includes a writing sample, several questions and five letters of reference. Hood said his final application was about 36 pages in length. The applications are submitted to a nominating committee composed of representatives from districts across the state. The committee recommends three candidates to the governor, who then has 15 days to select the final candidate.

Hood said this process ensures that vacancies are not left unfilled for long periods of time. Hood will fill the vacancy left by Chief Justice Michael Bender, who will be required by Colorado state law to retire in January when he turns 72 due to age limit restrictions on his position.

Although Hood will not be teaching next quarter, he said he hopes to teach at DU again sometime in the future.

“I think down the line I’ll end up teaching [at DU] again,” he said. “I just think right out of the gate I have to focus on learning a new job.”