Commission on Judicial Selection Selects Finalists
for Supreme Court Vacancy
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The Nevada Commission on Judicial Selection met on November 10 to interview six applicants and select candidates to forward to Governor Steve Sisolak for appointment to fill the judicial vacancy in the Nevada Supreme Court Seat F. The judicial position was made vacant by the retirement of Justice Abbi Silver in September 2022. The commission forwarded the applications of:
- Hon. Scott Freeman, Reno, Nevada Judiciary, District Judge;
- Hon. Tierra Jones, Las Vegas, Nevada Judiciary, District Judge; and
- Patricia Lee, Esq., Las Vegas, Hutchison & Steffen, Partner.
Nevada attorneys with 15 years of legal experience and at least two years of Nevada residency were eligible to apply.
Sisolak has until December 12, 2022, to select an appointee from the three names provided by the commission. The appointed justice will serve out the remainder of the term for Seat F, expiring January 6, 2025. To serve an additional term as the justice of Seat F, the appointed justice is required to file as a candidate in the November 2024 general election.
The Nevada Commission on Judicial Selection is composed of seven permanent members—the chief justice, three non-attorneys appointed by the governor, and three attorneys appointed by the State Bar of Nevada. The governor and the state bar must appoint commissioners from differing political parties and counties.
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This Week at the State Bar |
The ADR Section met November 16 and adopted new bylaws and discussed possible programs for the 2023 State Bar of Nevada Annual Bar Conference. Judge Charles Hoskin also thanked the section for being involved in drafting the guidelines for the Private Sector Mediators for Family Law Cases in the Eighth Judicial District Court.
The Real Property Law Section met November 15 and discussed potential changes to Nevada legislation during the upcoming session of the Nevada Legislature. They also encouraged section participation in the upcoming 2023 Bar Conference.
The State Bar of Nevada is seeking volunteers to fill open attorney and non-attorney positions on the Northern Nevada Disciplinary Board. Interested applicants are asked to apply for the disciplinary board no later than Thursday, December 15.
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Commission on Judicial Selection Seeks to Fill Two Positions |
The Commission on Judicial Selection invites applications from bar members to fill the following two vacancies:
- Temporary Member from Clark County; and
- Permanent member from any Nevada county other than Clark County or Carson City.
The temporary member will serve for the duration necessary to fill a vacancy in the Eighth Judicial District Court. The permanent member’s appointment is for a two-year term commencing January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2024.
Article 6, Section 20, of the Constitution of the State of Nevada, calls for the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Nevada to appoint attorney members to the Commission on Judicial Selection.
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State Bar Seeks Feedback on Formal Ethics Opinion: NDAs |
The State Bar of Nevada’s Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility has drafted a formal opinion and is seeking comments from licensed Nevada attorneys. The opinion addresses whether a Nevada attorney may require a prospective client to sign a non-disclosure agreement (“NDA”) as a condition for receiving legal advice.
The draft opinion will remain posted on the State Bar of Nevada’s website until December 20. Attorneys may voice their opinions about this matter using the online comment form.
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Las Vegas City Attorney’s Office Makes Diversity in Hiring a Priority |
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The State Bar of Nevada has asked firms to share their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to foster conversation and provide ideas for how other Nevada firms might incorporate them into their own organizations. This week’s initiative comes from the Las Vegas City Attorney’s Office.
The Las Vegas City Attorney’s Office has made a conscious effort to change the makeup of its attorneys. When Bryan Scott was hired as the City Attorney in 2020, he was the only attorney of color; the Civil Division was all male. The office actively recruited by attending affinity bar association events and encouraging diverse candidates to apply in job announcements. Today, the office employs four attorneys of color, including Scott, and seven female attorneys across its Civil and Criminal Divisions. A City Council resolution also makes DEI a priority through implicit bias and DEI-related training for all city employees; the training is required of all city attorneys.
If your firm has a DEI initiative it would like to share in a future announcement, contact Lisa McGrane at lisam@nvbar.org.
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Featured CLE: Deposition Fundamentals |
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Deposition testimony can make or break a case. It is sworn testimony that can be used to impeach at trial. It can expose the relative strengths and weaknesses of each party's case. It can lead to crucial admissions or denials of liability. Yet many lawyers, regardless of experience, do not fully appreciate or understand the purpose of depositions or how best to utilize them in a particular case.
This course, led by Shirley Blazich of Claggett & Sykes, is designed to provide a practitioner with the skills necessary to properly evaluate the purpose of a deposition and to teach the fundamental tools of deposition taking and defending.
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Program Date:
December 5
Time:
2 – 5 p.m.
Location:
State Bar offices in Las Vegas and Reno; Zoom
CLE Hours:
Three General Credits
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