Judge Stavely was appointed to the Boulder County Court bench in August 2001. He has practiced law since graduating from the University of North Dakota Law School in 1978. Prior to his judicial appointment, Judge Stavely worked for 19 years as a partner in the law firm of Chrisman, Bynum & Johnson. His practice consisted of personal injury, landlord/tenant, traffic, criminal matters, contract disputes, family law, administrative hearings concerning licenses, employment issues and probate litigation.

Judge Stavely also sat as Presiding Judge of the Louisville Municipal Court for the past 12 years.