Commission on Judicial Selection Nominates Finalists for Clark County Judicial Positions
LAS VEGAS, NV, February 10, 2023 – The Nevada Commission on Judicial Selection convened over four days, from February 7 - 10, 2023to interview 33 applicants vying to be appointed to one of five vacancies on the 8th Judicial District Court. The Commission has completed its work in four of the five seats by selecting three nominees in Departments VII, XIXX, N, and O. The Commission will forward the names of all nominees to Governor Lombardo. The Governor has thirty days from the date of receipt of the applicant names, to make an appointment.
Department 7 made vacant by the election of Justice Linda Bell to Supreme Court Seat A. There were 10 applicants to fill this vacancy. Department 29 was made vacant by the retirement of the Honorable David Jones. There were eight applicants to fill this vacancy. Department C was made vacant by the resignation of The Honorable Rebecca Burton. There were four applicants to fill this vacancy. Department N was made vacant with the passing of The Honorable Mathew Harter. There were four applicants to fill this vacancy. Department O was made vacant with the retirement of the Honorable Frank P. Sullivan. There were seven applicants to fill this vacancy. The Commission nominated the following applicants to Governor Lombardo:
Department 7:
Danielle Chio
Robert Allen Stephens
Marni Watkins
Department 29:
Mr. Douglas Hedger
Mr. Jacob Reynolds
Mr. Trent Richards
Department N:
Paul M. Gaudet
Stephanie McDonald
Jason Stoffel
Department O:
Mr. Robert Cerceo
Ms. Kerri Maxey
Ms. Regina McConnell
Nevada attorneys at least 25 years old, with 10 years of legal experience, and 2 years of Nevada legal practice and residency were eligible to apply.
Governor Lombardo has thirty days to select an appointee for each vacancy from the names provided by the Commission, by March 10, 2023. To serve the entirety of the term, the appointed judge is required to file as a candidate in the November 2024 general election. The current term for all district court judges in Nevada, expires January 4, 2027.
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About the Commission on Judicial Selection
The Nevada Commission on Judicial Selection is composed of seven permanent
members and two temporary members for each selection - the Supreme Court Chief Justice, three non-attorneys appointed by the Governor, and three attorneys appointed by the State Bar of Nevada. Neither the Governor nor the State Bar may appoint more than two permanent members from the same political party, and cannot appoint two members from the same county. During each Commission’s Selection process, two temporary members are appointed by the Governor and State Bar respectively. Temporary Commissions expire at the conclusion of each selection process.
To view the public portions of the judicial application or for more information on the Commission on Judicial Selection, please visit the Commission's webpage at https://nvcourts.gov/AOC/Committees_and_Commissions/Judicial_Selection/Overview/
About the Nevada Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Nevada is the highest court of the Nevada Judicial branch. There are seven Justices on the court who serve six-year terms, with one Justice serving as Chief Justice. To learn more about Nevada’s judicial branch, visit https://nvcourts.gov.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Emma Williams
The Ferraro Group
MediaInquiries@nvcourts.nv.gov