Nominated 2013
Judy LaBuda graduated from Berlin high School in 1975. She went on to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Education from University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she graduated with Distinction and a Masters Degree in Behavioral Disabilities – Rehabilitation Counseling Psychology also from UW-M. From 1981 to 1989, Labuda worked as a rehabilitation counselor, rehabilitation supervisor and later regional director for IntraCorp.
She earned a third degree, Juris Doctorate (law) from the University of Colorado School of Law, ranking fifth in the class and earned numerous awards for her academic performance such as Order of the COIF (top 10% of class); Colorado Trial Lawyers Association Advanced Trial Advocacy Award; Legal Aid & Defender Outstanding Student Attorney; American Jurisprudence Award in Wills & Trusts; Civil Procedure at CU Law School; Supervisor of the Year – IntraCorp.
She became a trial attorney and owner of LaBuda & Associates, P.C., practicing in State and Federal Court from 1992 to 2010, with emphasis on employment, family and disability law. In June of 2010 she became Senior Assistant Attorney General for the State of Colorado. In July of 2012 she was sworn in as District Court Judge in the 20th Judicial District at the Colorado Judicial Branch.
Continuing a life-long dedication to volunteerism and service started even before high school, Judy developed a non-profit organization to help maintain and fund orphanages in Northern Thailand. She stated she has embraced Margaret Mead’s quote: “Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world; indeed it is the only that that ever has.” Her community service has brought other awards starting with the Wisconsin Governor’s Award for Community Service in 1976.
Her life passions are family, friends, the law, traveling (having visited 48 states and 30 countries) and trying to ensure we live in a just world.
Her life motto is: Take risks, make good choices.