- Quickdraw McLaw
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Left open by the decision of suspended Judge Steven Jones, there are five candidates seeking the bench in Family Court Department C. They are: Rebecca Burton; John Hall “Jack” Howard, Jr.; Lynn Hughes; Marsha Kimble-Simms; and, Michele “Shell” Mercer.
Yes, we know there is a chance people will game the voting system, but thankfully we have a commenting system where readers like you can give us your input on the candidates. If you know that so and so is only getting a lot of votes because they shared a link to the site on Facebook, then counteract it in the comments by letting us know why someone else is a better candidate. These posts are meant to facilitate debate about the candidates and their merits and what should shape our decision in the upcoming primary.
Who should the people vote for in Family Court Department C?
Rebecca Burton was admitted to the bar in 1992 and went to Hastings College of Law. Here is her election webstie: http://rebeccaburton.org/
Jack Howard was admitted in 1975 and went to Cal Western. Website: http://www.johnjackhoward.com/Firm%20Info/Lawyers/1068329.aspx
Lynn Hughes was admitted in 1997 and went to Indiana University. Website: http://www.electlynnhughes.com/aboutus.html
Marsha Kimble-Sims was admitted in 2003 and does not provide her law school on the bar website. Unable to locate a website for her.Previosuly applied to fill a judical vacancy.
(http://www.nevadajudiciary.us/index.php/jscommissionnews/1506-16-attorneys-apply-to-fill-two-vacancies-on-the-district-court-bench-in-clark-county-2)
Article posted regarding Marsha by Veterans in Politics for whatever that is worth.
(http://stevewsanson.wordpress.com/2011/05/12/kimble-simms-violated-canon-rule-4-and-rule-4-1-a-11-and-engaged-in-an-unfair-election-practice-by-knowingly-and-willfully-misleading-the-public/)
Shell Mercer was admitted in 1998 and went to St. Marys University. Endorsed by Veterans in Politics. (http://www.lasvegassun.com/community/press-releases/4877/)
Previously ran for family court in 2008. (http://ranchocabron.com/harmfulerror/election_2008/)
Unable to locate website for her.
Their websites are linked to on their clickable names in the post above.
Kimble-Sims also ran for NLV Muni Court I believe several times as well as numerous other judicial elections and appointments. Very constant candidate.
Hmm… a few other candidates follow the same business model, usually the dregs of
the legal community.
They figure that if they run enough times, the unsuspecting public will vote based solely on having seen their signs. Some day we'll have Judge "Stanford tough and NFL smart"
Or scumbag judges who cannot buy an endorsement.
Some of the judges on the bench ran over 6 or 7 times to get elected, Henderson, who did not get an opponent and Harter come to mind.
Neither is a bad judge at all, in my view. At any rate, I'm not sure the appointment process is any panacea. Elections yield both good and bad judges, and the appointment process yields both good and bad judges. And both methods are imbued with politics, although somewhat different types of politics between the two. I do concede that the screening process for appointments is no intense that it lessens the chances for a real odd ball to be selected, unlike elections.
Typo in 9:56. It was meant to read that the screening process for appointments is "so" intense, not "no" intense. It does seem that process is so comprehensive that the three finalists usually don't have major skeletons in their closet, while with elections, you never know.
jhowardforjudge.com is the site I found for Jack Howard, I'd look at that one, lots of experience/endorsements.
Thanks. I updated the link when you click his name to go to this website.
Burton's web page convinced me that she has the credentials and experience. But I don't know her or the other candidates. Is her level of competence commensurate with her bio? Does anyone know?
I am honestly getting a bit skeptical about the endorsement process and whether it really vets anything related to the job or is mostly political ties of consultant.
Rebecca Burton is HIGHLY competent. She has a mountain of experience. She has a brilliant mind. She is respectful of other attorneys and opposing litigants. She is an attorney to look up to, and an attorney that is a pleasure to work with.
My experience with Rebecca Burton is that she is a scorched earth litigator. She will light up the fax machine and mail with letters and motions in order to generate hours. Lynn Hughes is a good famliy law attorney and I have also appeared in front of him when he has been the Guardianship pro tem judge. I like him and he acts very fair. Jack Howard is also a good guy and I like him. He has run for judge in both family court and criminal/civil court in the past.
I have heard Rebecca Burton called many things such as highly competent, a Mountain States Super Lawyer, 10 out of 10 on AVVO.com, easy to work with, wise, friendly, and all-around good person. But, I have never heard her to be called a scorched earth litigator. Rebecca has all the traits of a superior jurist and will make an outstanding judge in Department C.
I have had cases against Rebecca Burton and I found her to be very thorough and competent. Also, she was not interested in grinding out the case to generate fees. Her approach is a direct one…no messing around, just get to the heart of the matter and see if it can be resolved. She is definitely not lazy, and seems genuinely interested in doing a good job on the bench.
I have a generally good relationship with the other candidates also, but as far as experience and temperament, Rebecca Burton gets my vote.
Rebecca is a great attorney. I definitely think she will make a great judge!
Lynn Hughes is like having an untrained monkey on the bench. We have appeared in front of him on a number of occasions when sitting as a Small Claims Referee and frankly the concepts of law go right over his head.
@11:03. I would have to disagree about Lynn. I have appeared before him a time or two in guardianship, and he understands the law well and is always prepared. He will make a great judge.
Jack Howard is the real deal. He has almost 40 years of experience and has been judge pro tem in family court. He is fair and thorough in his decision-making process. He would be an asset to Dept. C. He understands that his decisions affect people's lives; he doesn't forget the "human" element behind judicial decisions. He knows the law and applies his knowledge justly. He doesn't shy away from a heavy work-load as he has dedicated himself to pro bono cases with the zeal of a fresh graduate; he actually loves his work. Jack Howard ALL THE WAY!