Las Vegas leads nation in glut of homes for sales, say Realtors. [Nevada Current]
Las Vegas police attorney, Lyssa Anderson, makes case for intervention in Rudin lawsuit. [RJ]
Nevada needs court interpreters. See if you qualify. [8NewsNow]
Speaking of other languages, how many of you offer legal services in a language other than English? Is it a big part of your business? Do you hire staff that can interpret for you? Other than Spanish, what language do you encounter the most? Any good war stories involving interpreters in the courtroom?
Have you seen how attorneys work when they send statements out less than monthly?
Guest
Anonymous
July 16, 2025 12:50 pm
This will give away the case in question but we had a case in which Plaintiff(s) speak exclusively a European language that is not Spanish or German. Defendant(s) exclusively speak a European language that is not Spanish or German. Case went to trial. To be able to simultaneously translate for all parties, lets just say that there were more interpreters needed than there are certified interpreters in the EJDC. The Parties could not share interpreters. It was a mess.
Many moons ago when i was a clerk we had a Laotian criminal defendant and simply could not find a translator certified. When we finally did it was the wrong dialect, it was one of the most frustrating things we ever dealt with during my time there
My only Laotian criminal story: 2 Laotian criminal defendants had a baby boy. They gave him up for adoption. The single, adopting mother (recently divorced) was an heiress from one of the most famous families in America. She and her mother flew in to pick up the baby. Really nice individuals. I was so happy for that baby.
Had to get a certified translation of a couple of hundred pages of med records from one of the less-common European languages. That was a bill, let me tell you.
Guest
Anonymous
July 16, 2025 3:26 pm
Judge Wanker in Pahrump files a writ petition seeking the Nevada Attorney General’s Office to represent her in disciplinary proceedings before the Commission on Judicial Discipline. Something you don’t see every day. https://caseinfo.nvsupremecourt.us/public/caseView.do?csIID=72508
Disgraced North Las Vegas Municipal Court Judge Catherine Ramsey got into trouble when she used her official North Las Vegas credit card to hire an attorney to represent her for alleged misconduct.
, after receipt of the Commission letter, Judge Wanker, pursuant to NRS 41.0339(1)(a), submitted a written request to the Nevada Attorney General for legal representation. Since the judicial complaint against Judge Wanker had been filed by First Assistant Attorney General Craig Newby, the judge requested conflict counsel be appointed. On June 24, 2025, Leslie Nino Piro, General Counsel for Attorney General Aaron Ford, sent a letter to Judge Wanker via electronic mail advising in part that “Nevada law does not authorize the Office of the Attorney General to representa judge – or to engage conflict counsel on behalf of a judge – in any proceedings before the Commission. See NRS 1.1415-1.4695.” This June 24, 2025, Attorney General Determination is the basis for the writ petition filed concurrently herewith. The writ petition seeks clarification regarding whether the Nevada Attorney General is required under NRS 41.0339 to provide legal representation to a state judicial officer in a complaint brought against the judicial officer by the Nevada 2 Commission on Judicial Discipline.
Maybe Reba can waive in pro hac vice to help out here.
I don’t know what the allegation is against Judge Wanker, but she is kind of a cowboy judge. Sometimes that works in my favor, sometimes it doesn’t. I appreciate her pragmatism, but that often comes at the expense of due process and following the statutes/rules.
I had a case in front of her a few years ago where she became very aggressive with opposing counsel and I. It was extremely unprofessional and insulting. Afterwards, opposing counsel was basically begging me to join him in filings a complaint with the Commission. I declined. I told him that was a massive drain on my time and energy, that while I thought Judge Wanker was out of line, it wasn’t worth it.
I think my last cow county court appearance was in Hawthorne. Sat in a courtroom with walls covered in animal heads and large stuffed animals in front of the bench. The judge was impatient and rude to everyone. Life is too short.
The law, on paper, is the same across the entire state. Yet in some of those rural courtrooms, the way things are done would leave you with the impression that you were not just in another state, but a totally different country.
I’ll always remember my time in that court. Over a decade ago, I (from LV) had a pro bono case in Pahrump. It was supposed to be a simple and straightforward appearance for my client, so we arranged to do it by Court Call. We get on, and Judge Wanker says basically, “no, you need to be here in person for this.” So that was fun. No good reason for it, in my opinion, but it cost me and the client a few hours of our lives.
Firstivus Maximus – Tuus es aemulor
Victor sum
Romanes eunt domus
Heu, tinnitus meus sonat.
The posts today are the most arcane form of Espanol I have ever seen.
Humor
If other businesses worked like the health insurance industry
– You total comes to a mysterious number you will receive in a few weeks with no explanation.
Have you seen how attorneys work when they send statements out less than monthly?
This will give away the case in question but we had a case in which Plaintiff(s) speak exclusively a European language that is not Spanish or German. Defendant(s) exclusively speak a European language that is not Spanish or German. Case went to trial. To be able to simultaneously translate for all parties, lets just say that there were more interpreters needed than there are certified interpreters in the EJDC. The Parties could not share interpreters. It was a mess.
Many moons ago when i was a clerk we had a Laotian criminal defendant and simply could not find a translator certified. When we finally did it was the wrong dialect, it was one of the most frustrating things we ever dealt with during my time there
My only Laotian criminal story: 2 Laotian criminal defendants had a baby boy. They gave him up for adoption. The single, adopting mother (recently divorced) was an heiress from one of the most famous families in America. She and her mother flew in to pick up the baby. Really nice individuals. I was so happy for that baby.
Had to get a certified translation of a couple of hundred pages of med records from one of the less-common European languages. That was a bill, let me tell you.
Judge Wanker in Pahrump files a writ petition seeking the Nevada Attorney General’s Office to represent her in disciplinary proceedings before the Commission on Judicial Discipline. Something you don’t see every day. https://caseinfo.nvsupremecourt.us/public/caseView.do?csIID=72508
Disgraced North Las Vegas Municipal Court Judge Catherine Ramsey got into trouble when she used her official North Las Vegas credit card to hire an attorney to represent her for alleged misconduct.
, after receipt of the Commission letter, Judge Wanker, pursuant to NRS 41.0339(1)(a), submitted a written request to the Nevada Attorney General for legal representation. Since the judicial complaint against Judge Wanker had been filed by First Assistant Attorney General Craig Newby, the judge requested conflict counsel be appointed. On June 24, 2025, Leslie Nino Piro, General Counsel for Attorney General Aaron Ford, sent a letter to Judge Wanker via electronic mail advising in part that “Nevada law does not authorize the Office of the Attorney General to representa judge – or to engage conflict counsel on behalf of a judge – in any proceedings before the Commission. See NRS 1.1415-1.4695.” This June 24, 2025, Attorney General Determination is the basis for the writ petition filed concurrently herewith. The writ petition seeks clarification regarding whether the Nevada Attorney General is required under NRS 41.0339 to provide legal representation to a state judicial officer in a complaint brought against the judicial officer by the Nevada 2 Commission on Judicial Discipline.
I think the answer is, “You’re on your own.”
Agreed. I don’t think NRS 41.0339 applies by its terms because proceedings before the Commission on Judicial Discipline are not civil actions.
You’d think a judge, even a Nye County one, could determine that with a little reading.
Maybe Reba can waive in pro hac vice to help out here.
I don’t know what the allegation is against Judge Wanker, but she is kind of a cowboy judge. Sometimes that works in my favor, sometimes it doesn’t. I appreciate her pragmatism, but that often comes at the expense of due process and following the statutes/rules.
I had a case in front of her a few years ago where she became very aggressive with opposing counsel and I. It was extremely unprofessional and insulting. Afterwards, opposing counsel was basically begging me to join him in filings a complaint with the Commission. I declined. I told him that was a massive drain on my time and energy, that while I thought Judge Wanker was out of line, it wasn’t worth it.
I think my last cow county court appearance was in Hawthorne. Sat in a courtroom with walls covered in animal heads and large stuffed animals in front of the bench. The judge was impatient and rude to everyone. Life is too short.
The law, on paper, is the same across the entire state. Yet in some of those rural courtrooms, the way things are done would leave you with the impression that you were not just in another state, but a totally different country.
Boulder City is a fine example
I am confident that it is better with Tilman on the bench. Though I have not been out there in many years.
I’ll always remember my time in that court. Over a decade ago, I (from LV) had a pro bono case in Pahrump. It was supposed to be a simple and straightforward appearance for my client, so we arranged to do it by Court Call. We get on, and Judge Wanker says basically, “no, you need to be here in person for this.” So that was fun. No good reason for it, in my opinion, but it cost me and the client a few hours of our lives.
Been there, don’t that. Never again.
That sucks! Thank goodness most hearings are virtual now.