James X. Quinn has been tapped by Governor Polis to bring his legal expertise to the bench of the 18th Judicial District Court. In a move announced yesterday, Polis confirmed Quinn's appointment, which is set to take effect starting July 1. The new position comes as a response to the recent legislation passed under Senate Bill 25-024, which seeks to expand the judiciary in that district, according to the Colorado Governor's Office.
A seasoned legal figure, Quinn has been serving as a Magistrate in the same district since 2019, mainly overseeing criminal matters. His credentials are solid, with a career stretching back to his time as an Assistant Solicitor General from 2016 to 2019. Before this, he had stints as First Assistant Attorney General, where he served to broadly increase the accessibility of justice from 2011 to 2019, and as Senior Assistant Attorney General between 1999 and 2011.
His professional journey also includes practicing law at Campbell, Bohn & Leffert, LLC, The Law Office of Martin J. Plank, P.C., and Montgomery, Little & McGrew, P.C., adding to his diverse legal background. Quinn's academic credentials align with the Colorado spirit; he obtained both his B.A. and J.D. from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
His selection comes at a moment when the legal landscape of Colorado is undergoing shifts, with the public seeking to more fully understand the people behind judgments that shape lives. Governor Polis, in choosing Quinn to ascend to the bench, is betting on a record that combines technical expertise with practical experience. By appointing a figure well-immersed in the tides of Colorado's legal system, the Governor appears to have sought to both extend and deepen the reach of judicial proficiency in the 18th District.
