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Under Oath

Charles R. Greenacre

Member Spotlight

August/September 2021

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Profile

Hometown: Gardena, California
Law School: Georgetown University Law Center
Live in: Olathe
Works at: City of Montrose
Practice Areas(s): Municipal Court Judge
CBA Member Since: 1973

Charles Greenacre was appointed Montrose Municipal Court Judge in March 2021. Previously, he was a county court judge in Montrose County and a district court judge in the Seventh Judicial District, retiring in 2015. He also served as a senior judge from 2015 to 2020.

Why did you become lawyer?

I believed then, as I do now, that the legal profession can change society for the better.

Outside of the law, what are your hobbies?

For many years, a small farm has been my primary hobby. I have grown hay, corn, pinto beans, and wheat. Farming is a stress reducer for me.

Favorite place you’ve traveled to:

France is my favorite destination. I love the wine, bread, and cheese as well as the historical towns.

Favorite spot in Colorado:

The Western Slope, where I live. There are abundant outdoor opportunities, all within a short distance. And the scenery in the Rocky Mountains is beyond compare.

Last movie you watched:

The Trial of the Chicago 7.

What sport do you love to play or watch?

I practice tai chi and watch NFL football.

What advice would you give to a new lawyer?

Negotiate for your client as zealously as you would litigate for them. Because litigation is expensive, stressful, and time consuming and often results in uncertain outcomes, a negotiated settlement is more often the best outcome for your clients.

What technology has transformed your practice?

When I began practicing law in 1973, the technology we rely on today, such as word processing, email, e-filing, and internet-based legal research, was nonexistent. The technological change since then has been dramatic and made the practice of law more efficient.

Why are you a dues-paying member of the CBA?

The CBA provides leadership in advancing the rule of law, promoting diversity in the legal profession, improving the judicial system, and many other areas. Through my membership, I can support these important efforts.

What organizations are you involved with?

I’ve been involved with the Western Colorado Migrant and Rural Coalition, which coordinates resources for migrant and rural farmworkers in Western Colorado. Two Coalition priorities are offering scholarships to students from farmworker families and providing health services for migrant farmworkers.

On your desk right now:

I have a rotating globe and a Fonz (thumbs up) bobblehead. The globe reminds me the world is bigger than me and always changing. The Fonz reminds me not to take myself too seriously.

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