Editorial: Experience, decisiveness are needed on the bench

Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006 | 7:46 a.m.

On Oct. 22 the Sun offered its endorsement of Nevada Supreme Court Justice Nancy Becker. Today the Sun offers its endorsements in the other contested Supreme Court race and in four contested races for District Court.

Michael Douglas was appointed to the Nevada Supreme Court in March 2004 by Gov. Kenny Guinn, and won election to Seat F that following November. Before that he served two terms as a District Court judge, and earlier he worked within the civil division of the Clark County district attorney's office. Douglas' decisions are well-reasoned, as can be expected of a judge with his experience.

The Sun endorses Michael Douglas.

Justice Michael Cherry is running unopposed for re-election to the Supreme Court's Seat C.

In Clark County District Court, Judge Tim Williams is running to retain the Department 16 seat. In April, after Judge John McGroarty retired, Gov. Kenny Guinn appointed Williams to the seat until a new judge could be elected for an initial two-year term. This seat primarily handles civil cases, which matches Williams' experience over the past 22 years as an attorney specializing in civil litigation. We believe this experience gives Williams the edge over his opponent, Conrad Hafen, who has prosecuted criminal cases the past 13 years as a chief deputy in the attorney general's office.

The Sun endorses Tim Williams.

Departments 22 and 23 are new in District Court, created to relieve the backlog of civil cases. Those elected will serve an initial term of two years.

In our view, the edge in District 22 goes to Susan Johnson, who three times in recent years was a finalist for a gubernatorial appointment to the bench. Considering the rigorous qualifying credentials needed to become a finalist, this is an impressive accomplishment. Johnson was admitted to the Nevada bar in 1985 and has had her own law practice since 1994. She has specialized in civil cases and has acted as a mediator, arbitrator, settlement judge for the Nevada Supreme Court, temporary judge for Justice Court and as a short-trial judge for District Court. Johnson's knowledge of the law and well-rounded experience would add quality and expertise to District Court.

The Sun endorses Susan Johnson.

The Department 23 race is between attorney and former District Court law clerk Elizabeth Halverson and attorney Bill Henderson, who has practiced law for 20 years in Las Vegas. Halverson says her 10 years of experience as a law clerk prepared her for the job of judge. In our view, however, Henderson's experience has left him better prepared. He notes that he represented clients in hundreds of criminal, civil and family cases that have come before District Court.

The Sun endorses Bill Henderson.

The new Department M is within District Court's family division. Experienced family-law attorney William Potter is facing Robert Lueck, who served one term as a Family Court judge before losing his seat in the 2004 general election. Potter promises that his 10 years of experience as a family law attorney will enable him to render decisions fairly and quickly.

The Sun endorses William Potter.