Of late, there has been a barely audible clamoring for information about the judicial candidates in Clark County’s 2014 primary races. I’ve taken it upon myself to compile some information that voters may find useful in making comparisons among the candidates. These data are gathered from a number of sources, including Martindale, the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Voter Guide, the websites of political groups in Clark County (especially here and here), and the data I have compiled for my own research (see my LVRJ op-ed and this plain English supplement).
Before I continue, I’d like to include a few caveats. I do not intend to suggest that
- all of the information presented here is (or should be) relevant to any particular voter’s decision, nor that
- there is no additional information that would be relevant to that decision.
I’ve included the judge’s partisan affiliation, as reported by some of the sources listed above. I have also included their Nevada Bar admission year, their educational history, and links to their responses to the prompts sent by the LVRJ for the Voter Guide. This is information that voters may or may not find helpful in making their decisions.
For incumbent (or formerly incumbent) judges, I’ve also included the overall retention percentages (i.e., the percentage of attorneys recommending the judge’s retention) from the LVRJ‘s “Judging the Judges” surveys. Of course, I have made clear in my previous work that I don’t trust these surveys to be without serious problems (for a summary see Judging the Judges’ Tilts Against Women; see also Implicit Gender Bias in Judicial Performance Evaluations and Are Judicial Performance Evaluations Fair to Women and Minorities? A Cautionary Tale from Clark County, Nevada). For a shortcut, I recommend adding about 10-12 points to the scores of female judges and about 15-18 to the scores of minority judges to counteract the effects of bias in the surveys.
I have not included links to information about additional media coverage of the candidates. Neither have I included direct links to campaign websites (where voters may be able to glean endorsements and additional resume and biographical information), but the links to the LVRJ Voter Guide pages provide this information.
- District Court Department 2
- District Court Department 22
- District Court Department 24
- District Court Department 28
- District Court, Family Division, Department B
- District Court, Family Division, Department C
- District Court, Family Division, Department J
- District Court, Family Division, Department L
- District Court, Family Division, Department P
- District Court, Family Division, Department T
| District Court Department 2 |
| Phung Jefferson (D) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- University of Nevada, B.S.
- Western State University, J.D.
2001
Law Office of Phung H. Jefferson, Esq.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/phung-jefferson
NA |
| Richard Scotti (R) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- University of Southern California, A.B.
- Hastings College of Law, J.D.
1988
Partner, Kemp, Jones & Couthard
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/richard-scotti [no answer]
NA |
| William S. “Bill” Skupa (D) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- University of Nevada Las Vegas, B. S.
- University of California at Los Angeles, J.D.
1970
Law Offices of William S. Skupa
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/william-s-skupa
NA |
| John G. Watkins (D) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- University of Missouri, B.A.
- St. Louis University, J.D.
1980
?
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/john-g-watkins
NA |
| District Court Department 24 |
| Anthony Ashby (R) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- University of Nevada, B.A.
- Whittier College School of Law, J.D.
1993
?
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/anthony-ashby
NA |
| Jim Crockett (D) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- Loyola University, B.A.
- McGeorge School of Law, J.D.
1974
Senior Partner, Law Office of Crockett & Myers
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/jim-crockett
NA |
| Joe Hardy, Jr. (R) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- Brigham Young University, B.A.
- Brigham Young University, J.D.
2000
Co-Managing Partner, Gordon & Rees
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/joe-hardy-0
NA |
| Tony Liker (D) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- ?
- University of Oregon, J.D.
1992
Law Office of Tony Liker
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/tony-liker [no answer]
NA |
| District Court, Family Division, Department B |
| Ellen J. Bezian (R) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- ?
- Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D.
1997
Law Office of Ellen J. Bezian
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/ellen-j-bezian [no answer]
NA |
| Kristine Brewer (R) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- ?
- Thomas Jefferson School of Law, J.D.
2004
Brewer Blau Law Group
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/kristine-brewer [no answer]
NA |
| Jane D. Femiano (D) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- University of Maryland, B.S.
- University of Maryland, J.D.
1989
Clark County Family Court (hearing master)
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/jane-d-femiano
NA |
| Thomas G. “Tom” Kurtz (R) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- Rochester Institute of Technology, B.S.
- State University of New York at Binghamton, J.D.
1983
Clark County Family Court (hearing master)
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/thomas-g-kurtz
NA |
| Linda Marquis (D) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- University of Middle Tennessee, B.S.
- University of Nevada Las Vegas, J.D.
2003
Associate, William B. Terry, Justice of the Peace Pro Tem
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/linda-marquis
NA |
| Joseph A. Scalia, II (R) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- University of Maryland, B.A.
- University of Baltimore, J.D.
1992
Law Office of Joseph A. Scalia
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/joseph-scalia
NA |
| Shann D. Winesett (R) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- University of Nevada, B.A.
- Loyola Law School, J.D.
1993
Pecos Law Group
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/shann-d-winesett [no answer]
NA |
| Heather Bailey Zana (D) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- Arizona State University, B.A.
- University of Nevada Las Vegas, J.D.
2003
?
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/heather-bailey-zana [no answer]
NA |
| District Court, Family Division, Department C |
| Rebecca Burton (D) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls, B.F.A.
- University of California, Hastings, J.D.
1992
RL Burton Law
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/rebecca-burton
NA |
| John Hall “Jack” Howard, Jr. (D) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- Occidental College, B.A.
- California Western School of Law, J.D.
1974
John H. Howard Jr.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/john-hall-howard
NA |
| Lynn Hughes (R) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- University of Nevada, B.A.
- Indiana University School of Law, J.D.
1997
Hughes Law Office
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/lynn-hughes
NA |
| Marsha Kimble-Simms (D) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- University of Michigan, B.A.
- University of Detroit Mercy, J.D.
1991
Simms Law Firm
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/marsha-kimble-simms [no answer]
NA |
| Michele “Shell” Mercer (R) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- University of Texas at Austin, B.S.
- St. Mary’s University of San Antonio, J.D.
1998
Law Office of Shell Mercer
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/michele-mercer [no answer]
NA |
| District Court, Family Division, Department L |
| Jennifer L. Elliott (R) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- ?
- McGeorge School of Law, J.D.
1986
Family Court Judge (Incumbent)
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/jennifer-l-elliott
2004 71
2006 74
2008 73
2010 70
2012 59
2014 61 |
| Paul “Mitch” Gaudet (R) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- Southeastern Louisiana College, B.S.
- Louisiana State University, J.D.
1992
?
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/paul-gaudet
NA |
| Mary Perry (R) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- University of Nevada, B.A.
- University of Nevada Las Vegas, J.D.
2001
Law Office of Mary D. Perry
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/mary-perry
NA |
| District Court, Family Division, Department P |
| David R. Ford (D) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- San Diego State University, B.S.
- California Western School of Law, J.D.
1981
David R. Ford, Attorney at Law
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/david-r-ford
NA |
| Nathan Gibbs (R) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- Brigham Young University, B.S.
- Brigham Young University, J.D.
1996
R. Nathan Gibbs, Ltd.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/nathan-gibbs
NA |
| Sandra L. Pomrenze (R) |
Education:Admitted to NV Bar:
Current Position:
LVRJ Guide Answers:
Judging the Judges: |
- University of Illinois, B.A.
- John Marshall Law School, J.D.
1977
Family Court Judge (Incumbent)
http://www.reviewjournal.com/voting-guide/candidates/sandra-l-pomrenze
2006 63
2008 62
2010 56
2012 54
2014 47 |
If you notice an error or omission, please post in the comments (along with your source) and I’ll revise as needed.
My best to you, dear voters!
