Michael L. Bender | |
|---|---|
| Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court | |
| In office December 1, 2010 – January 7, 2014 | |
| Succeeded by | Nancy E. Rice |
| Associate Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court | |
| In office January 2, 1997 – December 1, 2010 | |
| Appointed by | Roy Romer |
| Preceded by | George E. Lohr |
| Succeeded by | William W. Hood III |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 7, 1942 The Bronx, New York[1] |
| Spouse | Helen H. Hand |
| Alma mater | Dartmouth College, University of Colorado Law School |
Michael Lee Bender[2] (born January 7, 1942)[3] is an American attorney and jurist, who served as the 44th Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court.
Bender earned a B.A. from Dartmouth College in 1964 and a law degree from the University of Colorado Law School in 1967.[3] Prior to becoming a judge, he worked in private practice, for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and as a public defender in Denver and Jefferson County and for the state.[4] Bender also taught criminal law, criminal trial advocacy, and employment discrimination law at the University of Denver College of Law.[3]
Bender was first appointed to the Colorado Supreme Court January 2, 1997 by Governor Roy Romer,[3] to a seat vacated by the retirement of George E. Lohr.[5] He won retention in 2010, despite opposition from conservative and Libertarian groups.[4] He was voted Chief Justice by his fellow justices in 2010, taking the position on December 1, 2010. He retired from the court on January 7, 2014.
Bender is a registered Democrat.[4] He has five children with his wife, Helen H. Hand, a psychologist who runs Colorado Free University; the couple live in the Stapleton development in Denver.[4]