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The recent election brought a wave of 22 new judges to serve on the bench of the Nevada Eighth Judicial District Court; all were women. Some of their investitures were delayed due to the pandemic. Recently, eight judges took their ceremonial oath in front of friends and family. The first of the two delayed investiture events was held September 29; the second took place on September 30.

Chief Justice James W. Hardesty, from the Nevada Supreme Court welcomed the new judges at the first ceremony and said, “Most significant fact: 56 percent of the district court judges in the state of Nevada bench are women. This is an exciting time to welcome their service and we look forward to the many changes that will likely occur in District Court operations.” Justice Hardesty added, “Not to be outdone, the Nevada Supreme Court now has a majority of women serving on the court.”

District Court Chief Judge Linda Bell formally welcomed the new judges and said, “I appreciate how this group came in they have worked so hard. They did not let the pandemic slow them down at all. We’re a very busy court. Just to give you a little idea of how hard this group has worked. Since they have been on the court collectively, they have processed, edited and signed more than 2000 orders. They have reviewed and signed 120 search warrants. They have conducted 30 settlement conferences and completed 37 trials; and just in August alone, did 731 orders. Welcome formally to the court – we are very happy to have you,” said Judge Bell.

“We’ve been welcomed to the court with open arms,” said Judge Barisich. “Becoming an attorney was a goal.  Becoming a judge was a dream and I am proud to be living that dream.”  Her inspiration for the job came at a young age. She said, “I met a judge when I was eight years old.  I do not remember the content of that conversation but I do remember I was hooked.”  The new judge wrapped up by thanking the people of Clark County and promised to work hard for them.

“I didn’t realize how hard being a judge really is,” said Judge Nadia Krall, who was elected to department 4. She promised to learn from the experience. “We are here to serve and promote justice. I serve one person and that is Lady Justice.”

Judge Amy M. Mastin was elected to department M in the Family Division. Judge Mastin opened her speech by letting people know, “Ceremonies and events are not my thing.” She made it clear that she was there to thank people. She thanked Judge Hardcastle who gave her the first job out of law school as his law clerk. “He doesn’t know this but his words still guide me every day. Not just on the bench but in life,” said Judge Mastin. “Don’t let unreasonable people make you unreasonable. There’s a little nugget that you can use every day of your life.” She thanked Judge Hoskin for giving her an opportunity and for being a mentor. She gave heartfelt thanks her husband who she said married her on election night, so that win or lose, it was the best night of her life. She shared that her daughter was the inspiration for her to go to law school.

Judge Jessica K. Peterson’s inspiration to join the bench came from the superheroes of her childhood. “My favorite cartoon was Super Friends because I loved Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman would be a pretty cool job,” said Judge Peterson in Department 8.  “As a judge, I get to be pretty close. I get to assist litigants and in their quest for justice every day and I get to wear a cape too.” She quoted US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia: “There is just no way as a judge you can make both sides happy all the time.” “If want to be a good and faithful judge, you have to resign yourself to the fact that you’re not always going to like the conclusions you reach. If you like all your decisions all the time, you’re probably doing something wrong.”

The Clark County Amphitheater was the setting for the second set of investitures.

I’m standing here today because of all the people that helped me through my life,” said department 1 Judge Bita Yeager.  “I have to thank my family especially my mom.”

She credited Judge Lee Gates for being where she is because he took a chance on her and hired her as his law clerk. She said that so many other mentors and colleagues that have helped to shape her.

Judge Yeager borrowed top three list strategy that she uses in the mental health court, over which she presides. She cited the top three thing she will continue to do as a judge: “I will work hard be prepared and do my very best. Two: I will not forget where I came from. What it was like to deal with difficulties that come from being a trial attorney.” She added that she would not forget people without means face other set of challenges homelessness, lack of transportation abuse or addiction. “I will remember how important it is for a person feels like they’ve been hurt. As a plaintiff as a defendant as a victim of crime. I will remember how important it is to treat people with courtesy on what may be their worst day ever, because the judge sets the tone in the courtroom.” “Number three: I will not forget that people lives are affected by the decisions I make in every case; and I will be mindful of that responsibility.”

 “Public service has been with me since childhood,” said department 21 Judge Tara Clark Newberry. “It all started in sixth grade with an orange sash and a plastic badge. At about 11:30 in the morning, I stepped into duty. I crossed the kindergartners in front of the school, because I was on safety patrol.” She made a promise to her grandfather that she wouldn’t stop with her education, despite joining law enforcement. She shared a little bit about her background as a law enforcement officer in Cincinnati.

“The reason I wanted to be a judge was because I saw the need for representation in our legal systems,”  “I think it’s important that anyone that appears in front of our courts be able to see themselves in those who are judging them and it’s important to have a much diversity as possible.” “I try to be the judge I would want to appear in front of.”

“I was helped by many, many, many people,” said Judge Christy Craig. She recalled that the second person she called after passing the bar was Bob Larson. He was second in charge the Public Defenders’ Office. “I told him, I’m Christy Craig, I just past the bar and you totally need to hire me. He didn’t hire me but I tortured him for the next two and half months until he gave me a job.”

She said the Public Defenders’ Office “was like a little incubator.” A place where they could debate legal issues, such as: “Can a can of pumpkin mix actually be a deadly weapon?”

“The person I have to thank the most is my husband,” said Judge Craig. She gave all credit to her husband for encouraging her to go to law school and carrying the ball with their family the whole time she went to school.

“It’s just you and I that stand between food and air conditioning. I can feel the pressure,” joked Judge Duckworth before he gave the speech for Judge Margaret Pickard.  “Without courts there is no justice there is no freedom. As John Adams declared over 200 years ago if we have a government of laws and not men we need judges forever ensure our legal rights are protected.”

“It’s been a long journey for me. My very first childhood memory was at 4 years old, twirling around with red patent leather shoes,” said Judge Pickard.  When her dad’s friend asked her what she wanted to do when she grew up, she said, “I want to be a lawyer, just like my dad because my dad is my hero.” She credited her mother for teaching her to be civic minded.

“My goal in courtroom 12 is to make sure that everybody is treated with dignity and respect, because it’s often the worst day of their life when they enter that courtroom. I want them to know that I recognize them as a human being and I understand that we’ve all had our individual journeys,” said Judge Pickard. “I want to as a judge be incredibly kind and patient; and I learned that from my husband.”

 “The credentials that you all bring to the bench are impressive and we wish you well, said District Court Chief Judge Bell as she wrapped up the ceremony. “This is the last investiture of our 22 new judges all women. I have worked with each of these women in a professional capacity. I know our community is getting the finest people in this group. Who are all so dedicated to community services such hard workers, such incredible professionals who have dedicated to making things better for the citizens of this community and I know they will continue to do so. So welcome!”

The investitures for Judge Veronica Barisich, department 5; Judge Nadia Krall, department 4, Judge Amy M. Mastin, department M, and Judge Jessica K. Peterson, department 8. The live-streamed speeches were all very inspirational and are worth viewing in their entirety athttps://www.facebook.com/clarkcountycourts. Investitures are formal ceremonies with significant symbolism, as new judges publicly swear an oath to uphold justice prior to being ceremonially robed in front of family, friends and colleagues.

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