New judges appointed

Tuesday, April 23, 2002 | 10:48 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn today appointed two women to the district court bench in Clark County.

The governor chose Justice of the Peace Jennifer Togliatti to succeed District Judge Stephen Huffaker, who retired. He named Municipal Judge Michelle Leavitt to replace District Judge James Mahan, who was appointed a federal district judge.

Guinn said both women "have distinguished themselves in the legal field, and I believe they will become excellent state court judges."

Both new judges will have to run for re-election in November, but the appointments give them the advantage of incumbency.

Togliatti, 35, has been a justice of the peace since 1998 and presided over the preliminary hearing in the high-profile Ted Binion murder case. She is a graduate of Bishop Gorman High School, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and Cal Western School of Law. She worked for the Clark County District Attorney's Office before becoming justice of the peace.

Leavitt, 36, has presided over thousands of cases as municipal court judge in Las Vegas. She is a graduate of Las Vegas High School, UNLV and Cal Western School of Law, where she graduated cum laude. She is the daughter of Supreme Court Justice Myron Leavitt.

Guinn called Togliatti "an excellent attorney with an admirable work ethic. She is an exceptionally intelligent person with strong values."

He said Leavitt "is an intense and hard worker who has demonstrated her ability to handle a major caseload with the highest level of proficiency."