Colorado Court of Appeals Judge Sean Connelly is leaving the bench in January to head up a new law office in Washington, D.C., for the Denver-based firm Reilly Pozner LLC.
Connelly was appointed to the bench by Gov. Bill Ritter in July 2008.
“I will be rejoining an outstanding law firm with a thriving practice in Colorado and nationwide,” Connelly said in a news release issued by the law firm. “This was a unique opportunity to return to my legal roots in Washington, D.C., while maintaining a close connection to Colorado. It has been an honor to serve on the Colorado Court of Appeals.”
Connelly was previously a partner at Reilly Pozner & Connelly before he took the bench. The firm plans to keep its shortened name even though Connelly has returned.
The former federal prosecutor is originally from the East Coast and first came to Colorado at the request of then-Attorney General Janet Reno to work on the prosecution team handling the appeal of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh.
“We couldn’t be happier that Sean is returning to the firm,” Dan Reilly said. “He’s a great friend and a terrific human being, and his legal skills are extraordinary.”
The state Supreme Court’s nominating commission will meet in August to review applications and select nominees for the governor so the vacancy can be filled.
The annual salary for the job is $134,128. The initial term for a court of appeals judge is a provisional two years, then the judge must be retained by voters for an eight-year term.
Application forms and instructions on filling them out are available from the nominating commission at 101 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 800, Denver, CO 80202. Applications also are available on the court’s website at .
An application along with 15 copies must be filed by 5 p.m. July 26.
The nominating commission will also accept candidate suggestions from the public no later than 5 p.m. July 19.
