DENVER - Today, Governor Polis appointed LaQunya L. Baker and Jacob A. Edson to fill two judicial vacancies on the 18th Judicial District Court. The vacancies are created by the retirement of the Honorable Jeffrey Holmes and the resignation of the Honorable Peter Michaelson. Mr. Edson's appointment is effective July 1, 2023, and Ms. Baker's appointment is effective August 1, 2023.
Ms. Baker is a County Court Judge in Arapahoe County, a position she has held since 2022. Her docket consists of civil matters. She is also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, a position she has held since May 2023. Previously, she was a partner and co-owner of Baker Oliver Simpson Law PLLC (2019-2022); part-time Magistrate in Denver County Court (2022); visiting assistant professor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law (2021-2022); Civil Litigation Associate with Senter, Goldfarb and Rice, LLC (2019-2020); Chief Litigation Associate with Whitcomb Selinsky, P.C. (2018-2019); and Deputy for the State Public Defender in Golden (2016-2018). Ms. Baker earned her B.A. from The College of Charleston in 2013 and her J.D. from the Charlotte School of Law in 2016.
Mr. Edson is a District Court Magistrate in the 18th Judicial District, a position he has held since 2021. His docket consists primarily of criminal matters. Previously, he was the Chief Deputy District Attorney (2015-2021); Senior Deputy District Attorney (2011-2015); and Deputy District Attorney (2002-2011) in the 18th Judicial District. Mr. Edson earned his B.A. from Colorado State University in 1997 and his J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2002.