Parraguirre to replace Pavlikowski

Wednesday, Sept. 1, 1999 | 10:34 a.m.

Las Vegas Municipal Judge Ron Parraguirre is moving to the big time.

The 40-year-old judge, who has spent the last eight years handling misdemeanors and traffic cases in the lower court, was named today by Gov. Kenny Guinn to replace retiring District Judge Joseph Pavlikowski.

The governor's spokesman Jack Finn said the appointment was made because of Parraguirre's "reputation, credentials and experience."

Parraguirre, an attorney since 1986 and the son of longtime Las Vegas lawyer and former Nye County District Judge Paul Parraguirre, has been highly rated in attorney surveys for his Municipal Court performance.

He beat out two private attorneys -- Allan Earl, 57, and Kenneth Cory, 55 -- for appointment to the position that pays $100,000 a year and handles civil and criminal trials in addition to a variety of other legal matters.

Finn said it was a difficult appointment for the governor because he was "very impressed with all three finalists."

Seven attorneys had applied for the appointment and the Nevada Judicial Selection Commission narrowed the field last month to the three finalists.

Parraguirre attended California State University at San Diego for his undergraduate degree before earning his law degree from the University of San Diego Law School.

No date has been set for him to assume the job. Once there, he will face election in 2000 to retain the seat for the remainder of Pavlikowski's term, which expires at the end of 2002.