Thomas W. Henderson

Thomas W. Henderson was appointed to the Eighteenth Judicial District Court in 2023 after 35 years as a civil litigator. He is the Arapahoe District Court's presiding civil judge. He was president of the Arapahoe County Bar Association from 2020 to 2021, co-chairs its Access to Justice Committee and often serves as a judge in its annual high school mock trial competition. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Whitman College in 1983 and graduated from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 1987.

One member was absent for the commission's 8 to 0 vote, and one seat was vacant. The commission reports that attorney and non-attorney respondents to its survey, "although low in response numbers, found no performance issues in any evaluation criteria."

The commission writes that Judge Henderson "effectively applies the law to the facts before him" and is "consistently described as respectful, fair, careful and reasoned, very knowledgeable in the Rules of Evidence, and able to handle complex cases." When many of the district's judges changed, he "assisted with a smooth transition due to strong leadership and communication skills." He "is cognizant of the need to take extra time with pro se parties to make sure they understand his rulings."