By Paul C. Ray, Esq.
Mark your calendar and be sure to RSVP for the Meet Your Judges Mixer at clarkcoutybar.org. This year the big shindig will be on September 5 at the top of the World Market Center. Invite a colleague to join CCBA so that they can enjoy the CCBA membership price to attend the event. Meet Your Judges is a special opportunity to interact with your members of the judiciary.
A few years ago, a movement developed to seek amendment of the Nevada Constitution to have our judges appointed rather than elected. The theory is that judges are more independent, impartial, and unbiased, if they do not have to raise funds and curry favor from the public, including attorneys and parties who appear before them. Many people still believe this could improve our judicial system.
While such a plan can be worth considering, there is no rush. The conventional wisdom for now seems to be that the Nevada electorate has no appetite for such a change.
One advantage of the current system is that the judges need to meet members of the legal community. Therefore, the judges are accessible. The judicial election system helps judges stay in touch with public preferences in a helpful way.
Similarly, the current system allows the public to know better who their judges are and to learn what judges do. For example, many judges participate in worthwhile charitable or nonprofit service organizations to positively interact with the public and to contribute to the community. The CCBA often has judges participating in our service projects.
Another benefit of having accessible judges may exist this year. Judges by profession are neutrals. In the current vitriolic political climate, judges’ neutrality can have a steadying influence in our public discourse.
I ask judges and attorneys alike to help bring the temperature down on the vitriol in our public conversations. We need civility more than ever this year. Let’s be courteous in our dialogue.
Unfortunately, we have learned many negative facts and opinions about our political candidates this year. Of course, we should all learn and act in accordance with our First Amendment rights as we choose. Let’s be constructive in our profession and in our community.
Take advantage of the September 5 Meet Your Judges event to participate with the CCBA in a respectful, enjoyable way.
About the author
Paul C. Ray serves as President of the Clark County Bar Association for 2024. Paul practices business and real estate litigation and appeals at his firm, Paul C. Ray, Chtd..
About the article
© 2024 Clark County Bar Association (CCBA). All rights reserved. No reproduction of any portion of this issue is allowed without written permission from the publisher. Editorial policy available upon request.
This article was originally published in the Communiqué (Aug. 2024), the official publication of the Clark County Bar Association. See https://clarkcountybar.org/about/member-benefits/communique-2024/communique-aug-2024/.
The articles and advertisements appearing in Communiqué magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the CCBA, the CCBA Publications Committee, the editorial board, or the other authors. All legal and other issues discussed are not for the purpose of answering specific legal questions. Attorneys and others are strongly advised to independently research all issues.