Washington, D.C. – Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner today sent their recommendations to fill the upcoming vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. Judge Robert Blackburn announced that he will take senior status in April, creating the vacancy and leaving the already overworked District court with six judges.
“Given the overwhelming dockets facing our federal courts, it’s important that we have a nominee ready when Judge Blackburn steps down,” Bennet said. “We are confident that this pool of candidates consists of strong choices to fill the vacancy. We look forward to working with the Administration to confirm a nomination in the near future.”
“I’m proud of the progress that’s been made to fill the vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado,” said Gardner. “Judges are the guardians of the Constitution and I am confident each nominee would preside as someone who interprets the law and not makes the law. We sent strong candidates to the White House, and I look forward to working to confirm a nominee for the judgeship.”
Bennet and Gardner both recommended Judge Kristen Mix, a Magistrate Judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado; Regina Rodriguez, a partner at Hogan Lovells in Denver; and Sam Walker, the Global Chief People and Legal Officer at Molson Coors Brewing Company in Golden. Senator Gardner also recommended Patrick O’Rourke who is the head litigation attorney in the Office of University Counsel for the University of Colorado.
Recommendations (in alphabetical order):
Kristen Mix
Judge Kristen Mix currently serves as a Magistrate Judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. Prior to joining the court, Magistrate Judge Mix worked in labor and employment law. Previously, 5280 Magazine named her as one of the top 25 women lawyers in Colorado and Chambers USA rated her as a top employment lawyer. Magistrate Judge Mix received her B.A., cum laude, from Middlebury College and her J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School.
Patrick O’Rourke
Patrick O’Rourke is responsible for supervising all legal matters involving the University of Colorado, managing a staff of more than 20 attorneys. Previously, O’Rourke was responsible for litigation affecting the University of Colorado’s four campuses, and in private practice, represented health care professionals and entities, as well as other private enterprises, and has expertise in civil rights litigation, health care, and appellate advocacy. O’Rourke received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 1995 and his undergraduate degree from Creighton University in 1992.
Regina Rodriguez
Regina Rodriguez is a partner at Hogan Lovells in Denver, where she handles cases involving complex litigation and government investigations. Prior to joining private practice, Ms. Rodriguez served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Chief of the Civil Division in the District of Colorado. In 2013, the Hispanic National Bar Association named her the Latina Lawyer of the Year. In 2015, Law Week Colorado named her as a top litigator. Ms. Rodriguez received her B.S., with honors, from the University of Iowa. She earned her J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School.
Sam Walker
Sam Walker currently serves as the Global Chief People and Legal Officer at Molson Coors Brewing Company in Golden. He has served in various roles at the company since 2002. Prior to joining Molson Coors, he worked as a partner at Wiley Rein & Fielding, LLC. Mr. Walker also held senior positions at the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Education. Mr. Walker received his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his J.D. from Harvard Law School.