Columnist Jeff German: Judge smashes barrier

Friday, March 26, 2004 | 11:18 a.m.

It is rare, but exciting, when we come across someone who breaks racial barriers in his profession.

Inevitably, comparisons are made to the great Jackie Robinson, who paved the way decades ago for blacks in major league baseball.

Today Gov. Kenny Guinn named Chief District Judge Michael L. Douglas to succeed the late Myron Leavitt, making Douglas the first black to serve on the Nevada Supreme Court.

When I began inquiring about Douglas' qualifications for the job several days ago, I heard nothing but praise for the veteran jurist, who has been a District Court judge here since November 1995.

"You won't find anyone in the legal community who has a bad thing to say about Judge Douglas," predicted Tom Pitaro, a criminal defense attorney who's never shy about voicing an opinion.

Dan Polsenberg, who makes a living practicing in front of the Supreme Court, said: "I have no doubt that he could be a great justice."

All of the attorneys, prosecutors and judges I interviewed described Douglas as hard-working, fair-minded, even-tempered and knowledgeable about the law. They said he has every attribute necessary for the high court.

Douglas is considered a moderate (middle of the road on legal issues) who will bring a natural diversity to the Supreme Court. From what I can gather, he also will bring intellect and sound legal reasoning, which are critical to maintaining the stability of any court of higher opinion.

Guinn regards him as a team player who can help the court build a consensus on most issues, which is how the governor views his own role in state government.

In January 1999 Guinn made former FBI boss Bobby Siller the first black member of the Gaming Control Board.

Siller, who calls Douglas one of his closest friends, said the judge's appointment speaks well of society's changing values.

"We have arrived at that level where we're becoming more capable of judging people by their qualifications and character than their color," he said. "We're placing an outstanding individual in that position."

The Supreme Court is getting someone who not only is dedicated to his profession, but who also is involved in numerous civic and charitable activities.

It's almost as if Douglas has been preparing for this moment his entire career.

With his breadth of experience as a judge, private practitioner and civil lawyer in the district attorney's office, Douglas was clearly the most qualified of the three names the Commission on Judicial Selection, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Miriam Shearing, forwarded to the governor. The other two finalists were David Hamilton, a Reno civil attorney, and Gregory Smith, a Las Vegas labor lawyer.

As the selection process narrowed, it became obvious that Douglas had broad support -- from the likes of Nevada Legal Services, which serves the poor, to the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, which represents the cops on the street.

It was the kind of support that will make Douglas a good fit on the Supreme Court and, like Jackie Robinson, help him blaze a path for others to follow.