R&H Senior Associate Appointed to County Court Judgeship

On June 9, 2025, Colorado Lieutenant Governor DiannePrimavera announced R&H Senior Associate Richard Schmittel’s appointment to the La Plata County Court judgeship in the 6th Judicial District. 

In his new role as judge of the people’s court, Rich will handle misdemeanors, traffic violations, evictions, protection orders, and civil cases under $25,000. 

His bench appointment also serves as a homecoming for Rich. Prior to joining R&H, he served as Deputy District Attorney in Colorado’s 6th Judicial District Attorney’s Office from 2014 to 2018. He is also an alumnus of Fort Lewis College in La Plata County, where he earned his business degree in 2009 before attending law school. 

Rich was a valued member of the firm’s Civil Litigation Team. During his tenure, Rich represented clients in a wide range of civil disputes from construction defect claims to wrongful employment termination, negotiating favorable settlements on their behalf.

Rich credits his preparedness for the bench to his time with the firm, noting that the broad and practical foundation in civil litigation he acquired during his tenure will be integral to the civil docket of a county court judge. 

“While working at Robinson & Henry, I was given the opportunity to work with clients from all walks of life, including pro se parties, which has reinforced the importance of clear communication and procedural fairness—skills that translate directly to the bench,” Rich said. 

He recently told the Durango Herald that his judicial philosophy “will balance accountability with rehabilitation”, noting that judges have a professional responsibility to rule consistently, centralizing the community’s best interests. 

Rich attributes the diverse caseload he handled during his employment at R&H to deepening his understanding of the procedural and substantive legal issues that are common in county court. 

“Maybe most importantly, Robinson & Henry taught me how to balance legal precision with human understanding,” he said, pondering how his time with the firm helped him cultivate one of his most valuable skills — the ability to actively listen and remain neutral while navigating contentious issues. 

“A core judicial skill,” he added.

Rich’s appointment will take effect on July 1, 2025. We are confident he will serve the La Plata County community impartially and fairly, and we wish him well on this exciting endeavor.