Gov. Jared Polis on June 6 appointed Judge LaQunya Baker and Magistrate Judge Jacob Edson to fill two judicial vacancies on the 18th Judicial District Court. The vacancies are created by the retirement of Judge Jeffrey Holmes and the resignation of Judge Peter Michaelson. Edson’s appointment is effective July 1 and Baker’s appointment is effective Aug. 1.
Baker is a county court judge in Arapahoe County, a position she’s held since 2022. Her docket consists of civil matters, according to the announcement. She’s also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, a position she’s held since May 2023.
Previously, Baker was a partner and co-owner of Baker Oliver Simpson Law from 2019 to 2022, part-time magistrate in Denver County Court in 2022, visiting assistant professor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law from 2021 to 2022, civil litigation associate with Senter Goldfarb & Rice from 2019 to 2020, chief litigation associate with Whitcomb Selinsky PC from 2018 to 2019 and deputy for the Office of the State Public Defender in Golden, Colorado, from 2016 to 2018.
Baker earned her bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston in 2013 and her J.D. from the Charlotte School of Law in 2016.
Edson is a district court magistrate in the 18th Judicial District, a position he’s held since 2021. His docket consists primarily of criminal matters, according to the announcement.
Previously, Edson was the chief deputy district attorney from 2015 to 2021, senior deputy DA from 2011 to 2015 and deputy DA from 2002 to 2011 in the 18th Judicial District.
Edson earned his bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University in 1997 and his J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2002.