Judge Nikea T. Bland: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Nikea T. Bland is a judge for the 2nd Judicial District Court of Colorado. She was appointed to the bench by Governor Jared Polis on November 13, 2019, filling a vacancy created by Senate Bill 19-043.

The 2nd Judicial District encompasses Denver County. Bland has presided over criminal and domestic relations dockets.

Prior to her appointment, Bland was a senior associate at O’Malley & Sawyer, a law firm she joined in 2011. During her tenure there, she specialized in criminal defense as well as juvenile dependency and neglect matters. Before that, she spent time as an associate at Elkus & Sisson (2009 to 2011).

Bland earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Richmond in 2000. She spent the next few years working as a youth counselor for at-risk children before completing a J.D. at the University of Colorado Law School in 2005.

After graduating from law school, Bland began her legal career as a deputy state public defender with the Colorado State Public Defender’s Office. She served in that capacity until 2009, at which time she became associate general counsel for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (Local 7).

Her memberships have included the Colorado Bar Association and the Sam Cary Bar Association. She has also been involved with the Arapahoe County Bar Association Mock Trial Program at William Smith High School.

She is a recipient of the Lowery Kelley Memorial Trial Advocacy Award (2006).

Bland was raised in Richmond, Virginia. She relocated to Colorado in 2001.