Welcome Justice Richard Gabriel

The former judge on the Colorado Court of Appeals takes over for Justice Gregory Hobbs.

By JAMES CARLSON

Fall 2015

The Supreme Court just got its resident musician.

Late last month, Gov. John Hickenlooper swore in Justice Richard Gabriel as the newest member of the Colorado Supreme Court. Justice Gabriel, who previously served on the Colorado Court of Appeals, is also well-known for playing trumpet in various jazz bands.

“He has that wisdom,” Hickenlooper told Colorado Public Radio at the ceremony, “but he’s also fun to be around.”

Gabriel replaces Justice Gregory Hobbs who retired in early September.

Hickenlooper praised Justice Gabriel’s “strong background in commercial litigation and business law,” an area the governor said has traditionally been underrepresented on the high court.

Prior to becoming a judge in 2008, Gabriel was a partner at Holme Roberts & Owen where he specialized in general complex and commercial litigation. He was also an associated at Shea & Gould in New York City and served as a law clerk to the Honorable J. Frederick Motz of the U.S. District Court in Maryland.

Gabriel graduated from Yale University and received his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

James Carlson is the Information Resources Coordinator for the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel.