Clark County District Court, Department 1

Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2004 | 3:49 a.m.

Kenneth C. "Ken" Cory has, in his short time wearing the judicial robes of District Court Department 1, developed a philosophy that justice must be meted out in an "even-handed" way for the public to perceive that justice was done.

He faces in the September primary two attorneys, Gregory DeNue, a longtime local resident, disabled veteran and youth sports coach; and Bill Henderson, who has served as a truancy master and alternate hearing master in Clark County Family Court.

The top two vote-getters go on to the November general election.

Cory, a Henderson attorney, was appointed in January by Gov. Kenny Guinn to replace Gene Porter, who resigned Oct. 24.

Cory, 60, graduated from Las Vegas High School and attended Long Beach State University and Brigham Young University, where he received his law degree.

He has been an attorney since 1971. Cory was a federal prosecutor and then served as deputy city attorney for Las Vegas. He was named Nevada's first full-time federal public defender in 1974 and served for six years in that position. After that he went into private practice.

In 1996, Cory ran for District Court Department 11 but lost to then-incumbent Michael Douglas, who now is a Nevada Supreme Court justice.

DeNue, 43, a Bishop Gorman High graduate, earned his law degree from Loyola Law School, wants to protect the community and keep the streets safe by fairly and impartially administering justice.

DeNue, who graduated from Army Officers Candidate School, served as law clerk to former District Judge Jack Lehman, now a senior district judge. DeNue now is an attorney with the Jones Vargas law firm and is a member of the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.

Henderson, 45, earned his law degree from Washburn University and has served on the executive council for the family-law section of the State Bar.

He said he would diligently read all legal briefs that are submitted, will start court on time, be completely prepared and move cases through the system as diligently and fairly as possible.