Judge Fred Martinez (Ret.) graduated from Colorado College with honors. After graduating from the University of Colorado School of Law, Judge Martinez joined the State of Colorado Public Defender’s Office and was responsible for first-chair Class-One Felonies.
Fred was a partner and litigator in a Denver-based law firm for 20 years, where he defended Fortune 500 Companies in cases associated with employment discrimination, personal injury, property damage, the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Fred became the National Coordinating Counsel regarding environmental exposure claims and developed litigation skills regarding Ethics, Professional Responsibility, and Appellate Litigation.
In 2014, Judge Fred Martinez was appointed by Governor Hickenlooper as a District Court Judge for the 18th Judicial District, where he served until 2023. As a District Court Judge, he presided over criminal, domestic, and civil dockets, spending most of his judicial career presiding over a civil docket.
Judge Martinez joined the Judicial Arbiter Group in March 2023.
Judicial Service
District Court Judge, 18th Judicial District, Colorado 2014-2023
Education
J.D. – University of Colorado School of Law
B.A. – Colorado College
Contact
Career Highlights
Voted Barrister’s Best Trial Judge for the State of Colorado in 2022
Colorado Supreme Court finalist
Frequent lecturer for continuing education
Co-authored 12 published appellate cases.
National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel (“NARTC”) Regional President
Litigated over 60 jury trials to conclusion as a lawyer
AV rated lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell
Voted one of Colorado’s top Lawyers by the “5280” magazine
Community and Professional Activities
Practice Monitor at the request of the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel NARTC College of Railroad Trial Advocacy Faculty
Provided internship opportunities, training, and mentoring for law students and emerging young lawyers.
Volunteer mentor for Law School “Sí, Se Puede”… “Yes We Can”, a program that mentors high achieving college students from diverse backgrounds
Volunteer at “Urban Peaks” and “Denver Rescue Mission”
Supreme Court Committee Member Re: The Unauthorized Practice of Law
Appointment to the Detention Oversight Committee, Denver, Colorado
Discernment Committee for Christ’s Episcopal Church
Former soccer player and youth soccer coach for the Centennial Soccer Club
Fun Facts
Yoga Practitioner for over 20 years
Avid mountain biker who completed the “Holy Grail”, an arduous 35+ mile trek in Buffalo Creek, Colorado
Captain of his track and cross-country teams.
