Colorado Governor Jared Polis has appointed Jon J. Olafson to the 2nd Judicial District Court. The vacancy was created by the retirement of the Hon. Shelley I. Gilman and is effective December 1, 2023. 

Olafson is a Shareholder at Buchalter, PC and Adjunct Professor at the University of Colorado School of Law, positions he had held since 2023. His practice consists primarily of employment and commercial litigation. Previously, he was a Partner at Lewis Brisbois, Bisgaard, & Smith, LLP (2017-2023); Of Counsel at Polsinelli, PC (2015-2017); Senior Attorney at ALG Attorneys (2011-2015); Senior Associate at Bustos Law Offices (2010-2011); Senior Associate at the Law Offices of John M. Cox (2009-2010); Senior Associate at Wilson, Elser, Moskovitz, Edelmen, & Dicker (2006-2009); Attorney at Walker Sewell (2004-2006); Attorney at McCauley, Macdonald, & Devin (2004); and Attorney at Harris, Lively, Duesler, & Hatfield (2002-2004).

He earned his B.A. from the University of North Dakota in 1998 and his J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2001.

Colorado’s 2^nd Judicial District includes Denver County. Unlike all other judicial districts in Colorado the Second Judicial District is not a combined court. Denver is comprised of four constitutionally separate courts; County Court, District Court, Probate Court and Juvenile Court.