Chief Justice Mark Gibbons has announced the Nevada Commission on Judicial Selection has submitted the names of three individuals to Governor Steve Sisolak for his consideration to fill the empty seat in Dept. 14 of the Family Division, Second Judicial District Court in Reno. The vacancy became available following the resignation of former Judge David Humke.
The nominees, in alphabetical order:
- Jennifer Helen Rains, 41, Attorney, Washoe County Public Defender's Office
- Tamatha R. Schreinert, 48, Attorney, Silverman Kattelman Springgate, Chtd.
- Sandra A. Unsworth, 59, Attorney, Law Office of Sandra A. Unsworth
Nine Nevada attorneys with 10 years of legal experience and two years of Nevada residency applied for the position and participated in public interviews in Carson City. The Governor’s appointee must run in the 2020 General Election and win to retain the seat.
In selecting the finalists, the Commission considered the applicants’ interviews along with information in comprehensive applications about education, law practice, business involvement, community involvement, and professional and personal conduct. The Commission also considered letters of reference and public statements during the interviews.
The Commission is composed of seven permanent members – the Supreme Court Chief Justice, three non-attorneys appointed by the Governor, and three attorneys appointed by the State Bar of Nevada.
For District Court vacancies, two temporary members are appointed from the judicial district where the vacancy occurs – a non-attorney by the Governor and an attorney by the State Bar – bringing the Commission membership to nine.
Hillary Shieve, Mayor of Reno, and Marilee Cate, Washoe County District Attorney’s Office, served as temporary members for this judicial selection. A list of permanent Commission members can be found at Commission Members