Sunday, December 30, 2007

Ritter appoints Walker to El Paso Bench

Gov. Bill Ritter today announced the appointment of Jonathan L. Walker of Colorado Springs to the El Paso County Court bench in the 4th Judicial District. The appointment fills the vacancy created by the retirement of county court Judge Sylvia Manzanares.

“Jonathan’s many years of work in the legal system make him an excellent choice for the El Paso County Court bench,” Ritter said. “He will serve the citizens of Colorado honorably.”

Walker, 59, currently works for the Office of the State Public Defender handling criminal cases. Prior experience in private practice includes personal-injury and product-liability law, employment and civil litigation, and mediation.

From 2000 to 2003, Walker served on the Domestic Violence Offender Management Board. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1969 and his law degree from Wayne State University in Michigan in 1977. He served in the U.S. Army Special Forces from 1970-73.

The initial term of office for a judicial district judge is a provisional term of approximately two years; thereafter, the incumbent will serve a term of six years if retained by the voters.