New federal judge ready to dive into busy calendar

Kim Smith

Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2002 | 8:52 a.m.

Nevada's newest federal judge is ready to step in and help his overburdened colleagues.

U.S. District Judge Larry R. Hicks will begin presiding over cases Monday, three days before a formal investiture ceremony. He took the oath of office Nov. 29.

President Bush nominated Hicks to replace U.S. District Judge Johnnie Rawlinson in August. His appointment was confirmed by the Senate in November.

Rawlinson was appointed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Hicks will be the sixth federal judge in the state, described as one of the busiest federal districts in the nation. The lifetime federal court appointment carries an annual salary of $145,100.

Clark County District Judge James Mahan has been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee to fill the seventh and final open seat on Nevada's federal bench. He awaits a vote by the full Senate, expected after Congress returns from its break.

Hicks spent more than 20 years at the Reno law firm of McDonald, Carano, Wilson, McCune, Bergin, Frankovich and Hicks, where he handled business, commercial and complex litigation. Before that Hicks served as Washoe County district attorney for four years.

Clark County District Attorney Stewart Bell, who served with Hicks on the State Bar Association's board of governors, had high words of praise for the new judge.

"He's a very, very fine guy," Bell said. "He's intellectually astute, he has a good sense of fairness and he has a great demeanor."

Whenever Hicks speaks, Bell said, it's like the old E.F. Hutton commercials, "everyone listens."

"The people of Nevada will be well served by him," Bell said.

Hicks said Monday that he was flattered to even be considered for an appointment to the federal bench, since be believes it to be the "pinnacle of the legal profession."

Having never considered himself much of a politician, Hicks confessed he was somewhat concerned the process would be a political adventure. He had met Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., who recommended him to the president, only once before, and he wasn't sure Ensign remembered the encounter.

In the end, Hicks said, he was never asked how he would vote on particular issues or what his personal views are.

"I couldn't have been more impressed with the objectivity and the fair consideration given during the process," he said.

Hicks said he believes his 32 years as a lawyer and his personality will stand him in good stead.

"I'm comfortable with lawyers, with the litigation process and with trials," he said. "I'm anxious to take on my part of it all."