Chief Justice Ben Coats discusses his legal career, appellate practice as a jurist and lawyer and the role of the Chief Justice as the Chief Executive Officer of the Colorado Courts. Listen to find out what the Chief Justice is hoping to accomplish during his tenure.
0:00 Opening
2:00 Journey to the Law
4:00 No Deferment 1970 – 1971
5:20 Army Service
7:15 Department of Defense High School in Paris
9:00 Military Father from Sterling, Colorado and Fall of 1967
10:56 Typical Day as Chief Justice
13:58 Appointed to Supreme Court May 2000 and Sitting on Nominating Commissions
15:41 Being the Chief Executive Officer of the Colorado Courts
19:40 Practicing Appellate Law as a New Lawyer
22:00 Big Boost: Arguing in Front of the Colorado Supreme Court
23:29 Attraction to Appellate Practice
25:34 Reading the Case Law is Reading the History of a Jurisdiction
27:53 1986: Arguing in Front of the United States Supreme Court
32:00 How Do You Prepare for Oral Arguments?
39:34 Serving as Figurehead for the Colorado Judicial Branch
41:10 Core Functions of Courts, Role of Judge and Changes in the Law and Judicial Administration
46:34 Fifteen New District Court Judges
49:34 What Are You Hoping to Accomplish During Your Tenure?
52:59 Getting to Know the Guest
57:00 Closing