The Hon. James B. Breese (Ret.) served as a judge for the Denver County Court in Colorado. Breese was appointed to the bench by former Mayor Federico Peña in 1987. He retired on April 30, 2015.
Prior to his appointment, Breese was an attorney in private practice, specializing in criminal defense matters in Denver. He supplemented his practice with service as a clinical professor of law at the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law, and the University of Colorado Law School.
Breese earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in 1969. He later completed a J.D. at Northeastern University School of Law in 1973.
His memberships have included the Marsh American Inn of Court. He has also been involved with the Board of Trustees of the Denver Bar Association, the Executive Council of the Colorado County Judges Association, and the Jury Reform Committee of the Colorado Supreme Court.
He is a recipient of the Judicial Excellence Award from the Denver Bar Association, the Alfred Harrell Award for Distinguished Service from the Marsh American Inn of Court, and the Faculty Humanist Award for Teacher Excellence from the University of Colorado.
When not presiding over legal proceedings, Breese enjoys outdoor activities, including fishing, hiking, and camping.