Halverson legacy?!?

Ah, absence makes the heart grow fonder.  Judge Halverson hasn't been off our radar for more than a week and the media is framing her legacy.

The Review-Journal editorial reads:

A hearty "thank you" must go out to the single individual who has done the most to improve the Nevada judiciary: Elizabeth Halverson.

It's true. The arguably worst judge in Nevada, who has brought national embarrassment to the state, has been a positive influence on the selection of Nevada judges by making newspapers and voters pay closer attention to down-ballot judicial races.

Finally, Halverson deserves the legacy she deserves: she reminded voters that apparently it matters who sits on the bench.  So voting blindly can lead to dark, dark places.  So let's rally the voters this year, get them to the polls and remind them not to "pull a Halverson" by actually researching the candidates before they vote. 

Roundup on a Tues

What the hell is this state coming to?  I thought it was a libertarian paradise, but apparently you can't leave your baby outside the casino for an hour while you go in and gamble.  wtf?!? (RJ)

Advice for young attorneys from former politician and longtime Vegas litigator: "As Brian Wilson says, 'Hold onto your ego.'  Whenever you see an attorney performing in court, it’s not helping the client. The client might like it, but he’s really losing the case."  (LV Sun)  [advice for Mr. Callister: choose a job and stick to it]

Congratulations to:

Joe Schrage, who was hired as an associate by McDonald Carano Wilson.  (LV Business Press)

Brin Gibson, Greg Carlson and Abigayle Dang, who were hired as associates by Lionel Sawyer & Collins. (LV Business Press)

Evil Ed pleads to being evil or at least that there's sufficient evidence of his evilness

Judge Halverson should be feeling a little safer today [with the exception of constant health concerns due to severe overeating and lack of self-restraint] because Evil Ed has officially been pronounced evil . . . or at least that there's enough evidence to prove his evilness.

The RJ reports:

The husband of embattled District Judge Elizabeth Halverson pleaded guilty in court this morning.  Edward Halverson, 49, entered into an Alford plea to one count of battery with a deadly weapon with substantial bodily harm.  

In exchange for his plea, prosecutors agreed to drop a charge of attempted murder. An Alford plea means he doesn't admit to being guilty but understands there is enough evidence to convict him.

Edward Halverson told District Judge David Barker this morning that he didn't recall the incident. He'll likely be sentenced to 3 to 10 years in prison.

"He knows he's going to jail," said Bita Khamsi, the deputy public defender who represents Edward Halverson . . . 

He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 12. 

So that's it.  Judge Halverson was rejected by the voters, Evil Ed's off the scene for awhile.  She's gonna have to work to get back into the spotlight and make sure she's still the poster child for what's wrong with the Nevada bar/judiciary.  

Maybe she could start her own practice and have tv commercials: "Are you a wreck? Need a check?Hire Elizabeth Halverson.  You'll look better in front of the jury by comparison."

Friday Roundup

This story's been all over the legal blogs, but it's worth repeating due to the inventiveness of federal government IP attorneys: the feds now hold the trademark on the Mongols Motorcycle gang's logo and are trying to prevent the gang from displaying the logo.  (LV Sun) 

Because people asked for links on the proposed new ethical rules: Appealing in Nevada offers links to the proposed amendments.  (Appealing in Nevada)

Congratulations to Jacqueline Gilbert, Joseph Goldman, Christopher Pastore, Quinton Singleton and Nikkya Williams, who were named as associates at the growing Vegas heavyweight Lewis and Roca.  (Jaffe Legal News Service)

NV Supreme Court Candidate Pickering acts to prevent corruption . . . wait, isn't she running for judicial office in Nevada?!?

Kris Pickering, a candidate for the Nevada Supreme Court, has disclosed that the FBI and Las Vegas police have been investigating her former campaign manager, who attempted to blackmail her during her run for a seat on the state's High Court.

Las Vegas Now reports:

Back in June, Pickering heard an unusual proposal from one of her campaign managers, Gary Gray. Gray said that up to $200,000 would be put into her race for the Nevada Supreme Court, either for Pickering or against her.

If she didn't want the money to go to an opponent, Gray said, Pickering would have to agree to sign a letter removing herself from ever hearing a case involving the firm of Las Vegas lawyer Laura Fitzsimmons. 

Pickering says she was appalled but that Gray returned the next day carrying a similar letter signed eight years ago by then Justice Bob Rose.

"When we got to this point in the conversation, what he said was, ‘If you don't sign this letter, Fitzsimmons has bundled $200,000 and that will be put up against you.' I reported this to the authorities," she said.

FBI Agents and Metro Detectives began an investigation. A search warrant was served at Gary Gray's office to retrieve the letter signed by Bob Rose.

 Reporting a blackmail scheme and that former Supreme Court Justices may have been involved?!?  That's no way to win office in Nevada.  

The former campaign manager and former Supreme Court Justice Bob Rose deny the allegations.  (RJ)  What do you think readers?  Is Pickering a reformer? someone that blackmailers shouldn't fuck with?  or someone who knows how to conjure up a good publicity stunt in a state known for rampant corruption?

Mid-week Roundup

News that Dr. Needles Desai and friends may have [allegedly] infected more people in the Valley, bringing the number of people infected with Hep-C [allegedly] by Endoscopy up to 105.  (Las Vegas Now)  [free Hep-C infection is so much better than a free lollipop, don't you think?]

Congratulations to:

Seetal Tejura, who was named a partner at the Vegas legal sweatshop of Alverson, Taylor, Mortensen & Sanders.  (RJ)  [do you think she still only gets paid by the billable hour?

Brian Anderson, who was hired as an associate by Santoro, Driggs, Walch, Kearney, Holley & Thompson. (RJ)

Who do these people think they are?!?

The Nevada Supreme Court announced today that Nevada lawyers will have to disclose any prior reprimands or disciplinary sanctions they've received.  What?!?  Don't they know this is Nevada.  This is the Wild Wild West and hackneyed lawyering is a right of every bar member?

The Las Vegas Sun reports:

Nevada Supreme Court has adopted a new rule that requires lawyers to disclose if they have had any past disciplinary sanctions, including private reprimands.

Each attorney will be required to detail biographical information, training and area of specialization and reprimands imposed after March 1, 2007 or any public discipline regardless of the date.

The court is also ordered as part of the new rule that lawyers in private practice to reveal if they have malpractice insurance and the name and address of the insurance company. The rule becomes effective in 30 days.

How are we going to keep our usual cast of disreputable, inept attorneys employed if they have to disclose to clients how they have been sanctioned in the past for their unethical conduct?  I say we vote off all the Justices in order to keep this state's bar the national embarrassment that it is!

Sleeping with your step-daughter [allegedly when 14] can get you thrown off the bench

In a ruling that is sending shock waves through the legal community, apparently the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline found that a lawyer can't be both a judge and an [alleged] child molester/admitted sexual partner to your adult step-daughter.  Attorneys across the valley are nervously wondering what other acts they must refrain from if they want to sit as a judge.

The LV Sun reports:

The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline today ordered Clark County District Judge Nicholas Del Vecchio immediately removed from his job after he pleaded no contest to an 11-count complaint that accused him of having sexual relations with his stepdaughter while she worked in his office.

District Judge Richard Wagner, a commission member, told Del Vecchio “You are no longer a judge.”

Del Vecchio, who was defeated in the primary in his bid for re-election, wanted to stay on the bench until the end of his term at the end of the year to be eligible for medical benefits.

Del Vecchio, who has served since 2000, was originally charged with a 38-count complaint that accused him of forcing his 14-year-old stepdaughter to perform sexual acts on him and pose for nude photos. That allegation preceded Del Vecchio being elected. The 11-count amended complaint was filed against Del Vecchio by the commission on Monday, removing that allegation and others.

In the amended complaint, he was also accused of making racist statements to his bailiff, a man of Hispanic heritage, and also making sexist remarks to and about women in the courthouse.

The amended complaint said the stepdaughter, Rebeccah Murray, worked in the judge’s office in 2002 and 2003, when she was 24 years old. By that time the judge and Murray’s mother had divorced. Del Vecchio and Rebeccah started a sexual relationship, meeting at hotels during working hours for which she was paid her regular salary.

Poor Judge Del Vecchio.  Lost his seat on the bench and its probably not going to be easy for him to pick up other 14 yr old girls now that the word's out that he [allegedly] sexually abused his step-daughter.  Tough luck, buddy.

All signs suggest lawsuit against Governor is going to be fun to watch

Chrissy Mazzeo, the woman who accused the Governor of sexually assaulting her in a parking lot almost two years ago, has filed suit for violation of her due process and equal protection rights.  

Seems like this case will become the next new circus act to pass through town, so let's get to know our cast of characters shall we:

Plaintiff/Chrissy Mazzeo: former cocktail waitress who alleges Governor Gibbons sexually assaulted her in a parking lot at night after they had drinks together.  The Las Vegas Sun published a pictorial journey, prepared by Mazzeo's attorney, of the location where the assault [allegedly] occurred. (available here).

Defendant/Governor Gibbons: Typical political schmuck in the vein of a conservative Bill Clinton.  His approval ratings are currently at 27 percent.  Oh, and he's getting a divorce and potentially being sanctioned by the Family Court for failing to turn over financial records.

First Lady Dawn Gibbons: Two years ago, the Guv's loving wife stood by him and convinced the media that this all must be a lie.  Now, she hates his guts and Mazzeo's attorney suggests she will be called to testify. 

Plaintiff's counsel, Robert Kossack: a Las Vegas-based attorney and shop teacher? [the most recent press conference was held in his office, which is covered in wood working tools].  (LV Sun)  His response to why other attorneys wouldn't take the case, but he would: “People are afraid of power.”

New Celebrity Prosecution Scheduled

Now that O.J. has been found guilty and all that's left to do is sentence him, Vegas has had a hole in its celebrity prosecution schedule. Thankfully, hi-hop mogul and perennial inmate Suge Knight was willing to step up.

The Las Vegas Sun reports:

Hip hop mogul Marion "Suge" Knight's status check hearing has been rescheduled for Nov. 14.

The founder of bankrupt Death Row Records posted $19,000 bail
and was released from a Las Vegas jail in August. He appeared in Las Vegas
Justice Court on Sept. 26 on felony assault and drug charges.

Metro Police arrested Knight on Aug. 27 after officers say they saw him beat his girlfriend while brandishing a knife in a parking lot near the Las Vegas Strip. . .

Police said Knight had the drugs Ecstasy and hydrocodone when he was arrested.

Thank God for Suge Knight and domestic violence. Otherwise, the cameras and news crews might have left the courthouse.

Governor and Trial Attorney Don Campbell sued for [alleged] due process/equal protection violations

Looks like Nevada has yet another reason in the news to be embarrassed.  Our soon-to-be divorced Governor is being sued by the cocktail waitress who accused him of sexual harassment in the past.  The suit alleges the Governor and others violated her due process and equal protection rights.  (Complaint available here)

Las Vegas Now reports:

The Las Vegas cocktail waitress who accused then gubernatorial candidate Jim Gibbons of assault two years ago is suing the governor.

Chrissy Mazzeo claims, in October of 2006, Gibbons pushed her against a wall and propositioned her in a parking garage. No charges were ever filed.

The Governor responded that the claims were "groundless".  (RJ)

However, in a more interesting note for the Nevada Bar, prominent trial attorney Don Campbell is also named in the civil suit.  The plaintiff alleges that Campbell destroyed videotapes that allegedly showed Governor Gibbons making unwanted advances on former cocktail waitress Chrissy Mazzeo.

New Attorneys!

Congratulations to Nevada's newest attorneys (July '08 bar pass list available here).  Looks like the pass rate was 69%.  Passing the bar seems to be getting a little easier.  Don't tell the New Yorkers or we'll be flooded with east coast assholes/attorneys.

Good luck

Good luck to all those bar applicants who find out if they passed or failed in an hour.  I know all the clerks at this office are on pins and needles.

Midweek Roundup

Attention sex offenders, move to Nevada!  We care about your rights.  (Las Vegas Now)

The defendant who asked "am I my brother's keeper" in front of Judge Wall found out that apparently, he was and stabbing his brother to death = 10-25 yrs.  (RJ)

Congratulations to Christina Mallatt, who was named an associate at Fisher & Phillips.  (RJ)

And congrats to Kummer Kaempfer Bonner Renshaw & Ferrario, which was named Nevada's top law firm for land use and zoning law, mergers and acquisitions, government relations law, energy law and corporate law by the 2009 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. (LV Business Press)

Special Election Edition Roundup

Judicial election coverage is all over the papers these days.  The RJ is reporting that candidates already sitting on a bench are in the lead over mere lawyers running for judicial office.  (RJ) 

Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Sun editorial board clamored for more experience on the Supreme Court (Sun) and announced its endorsements for Justices of the Peace (Sun)  and Family Court (Sun) 

Wondering who's still running for the bench in Clark County, anyway?  The Las Vegas Sun has the answer:

Justice of the Supreme Court, Seat B

Nonpartisan

(Incumbent William Maupin decided not to see re-election)

Mary “Kris” Pickering Las Vegas 

Deborah Schumacher

Justice of the Supreme Court, Seat D
Nonpartisan
Mark Gibbons (incumbent)
Thomas Frank Christensen

Justice Of The Peace, Las Vegas Township Dept. 12
6-year Term
Non-partisan race
(New Office)
Steve Smith
Diana L. Sullivan

District Court Judges
6-year term
Non-partisan races
Dept. 6
Elissa Cadish (incumbent)
Benjamin Boone Childs Sr.

Dept. 7
Linda Marie Bell
Robert P. Spretnak

Dept. 8
Josh Kunis
Doug Smith

Dept. 10
Jessie Elizabeth Walsh (incumbent)
William D. Kephart

Dept. 12
Michelle Leavitt (incumbent)
Kurt Harris

Dept. 14
Donald M. Mosley (incumbent)
Chris Davis

Dept. 17
Michael Villani (incumbent)
Bruce L. Gale

Dept. 22
Susan Johnson (incumbent)
Donn Ianuzi

Dept. 23
Jason Landess
Stefany Miley

Dept. 25
(New Office)
Kathleen E. Delaney
Susan Scann

District Court Judge, Family Division
6-year Term
Non-partisan races

Dept. G
Cynthia “Dianne” Steel (incumbent)
Amy M. Mastin

Dept. I
Cheryl Moss (incumbent)
Greta G. Muirhead

Dept. J
Lisa M. Kent (incumbent)
Kenneth E. Pollock

Dept. K
Cynthia N. Giuliani
Vincent Ochoa

Dept. L
Jennifer L. Elliott (incumbent)
Dawn Throne

Dept. N
(New Office)
Mathew Harter
Gayle Beck Nathan

Dept. O
(New Office)
Ron Israel
Frank P. Sullivan

Dept. P
(New Office)
Jack Howard
Sandra L. Pomrenze

Dept. Q
(New Office)
Bryce C. Duckworth
Carl F. Piazza

Dept. R
(New Office)
Bill Henderson
Chuck Hoskin 

And the County is trying to reassure voters that their votes will count. (Sun)

Thursday Roundup

Sheldon Adelson is in the bullseye again: U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Bruce Markell has instructed the Nevada Gaming Control Board to show him behind closed doors the entire investigative report it did on Sheldon Adelson in 1989.  (Las Vegas Sun)

Oh and the Las Vegas Business Press decided to have a lawyer profile issue, profiling the gaming law work of Anthony Cabot, trial attorney work of Don Campbell, the government affairs work of Jim Wadhams, the employment law work of Mark Riccardi, the Entertainment law and IP work of Mark Tratos and the Business Reorganization work of Brett Axlerod [who in my opinion missed her calling as a rock star with that last name].

Economy tanking, NV Supremes uphold socialism in casinos

The continuing drop in the Dow Industrial average suggests that capitalism as we know it has come to an end and the Nevada Supreme Court has gotten the message, upholding the right for Wynn casino to force tip sharing on its dealers.

The Las Vegas Sun reports:

Wynn Las Vegas dealers will have to share their tips with their front-line supervisors, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled today.

The court ruled that a District Court judge was right when he dismissed the dealers’ challenge of a ruling by the Labor Commissioner that said Wynn didn't violate employment law by changing its policy on tip sharing, since the workers are employed at-will.

The court ruled unanimously that the state law that deals with the issue of tip sharing calls for the Labor Commissioner to decide whether the employees’ challenge was valid, not the District Court.

The court also ruled that, under Nevada labor law, the employees didn’t have a valid employment contract and therefore weren’t entitled to claim Wynn Resorts had breached their contract.

Ok, so its not actually socialism.  In fact, it sounds more like highway robbery.  They have to share tips with their supervisors?!?  I can't wait for the partners at my firm to require us paralegals to share annual bonuses with our supervising attorneys.  Won't that be sweet.

Midweek Roundup

Newsflash: "Judge Halverson made mistakes"  (RJ)

Meanwhile the attorneys for Endoscopy are busy arguing that they need to know how many people the 80 year old patients of Endoscopy have slept with.  (RJ)

Congratulations to Matthew Treu, who was named an associate at Bailey Kennedy.  (RJ)

Math is hard

Math is a hard subject for kids.  Hell, it can be hard for parents too.  That's why parents have to come up with innovative ways to motivate their children.

Las Vegas Now reports:

A Las Vegas man is facing child abuse charges for burning his 11-year-old daughter because she didn't know the answer to a math problem.

According to the police report, Anthony Perkins told police he placed a towel over the child's bottom, and then placed a hot iron on it. He admitted to seeing the burn marks on her body but did not seek any medical treatment.

Who says Las Vegans don't discipline their children.  This man should be running for School Board.

Midweek Roundup

Looks like this Construction Defect Home Owners' Association/politician/attorney scandal is heating up and will be high drama. A retired Las Vegas police officer named in the allegations of corruption committed suicide yesterday. (Review-Journal)

In the Endoscopy/Dr. "Needles" Desai civil matter, Judge Earl ordered that Dr. Needles and the other [alleged] scumbag greedy physicians who handed out free Hep-C to their patients will be deposed. (RJ) Although, I am guessing there will be a record number of times a deponent takes the 5th in each deposition.

Congratulations to Laura Bielinski, Christopher Kircher, Erin Lewis and Zachary Takos, who were named associates at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. (RJ)

Meanwhile, Harmful Error continues its coverage of the impending judicial election [now 100% Halverson free!] (Harmful Error)

No Running in [or from] Court

We all know that running in public places can be a public safety hazard. Well, apparently running from some public places, like say the Clark County District Court [when you face criminal charges], can be dangerous as well.

The RJ reports:

A man was shocked with a Taser in District Court after he tried to run away from officers . . .

Michael Gray was before District Judge Donald Mosley about 9 a.m. when he fled the courtroom through the front door, said Michael Sommermeyer, District Court spokesman.

Gray, who is facing a charge of possessing or selling a document to establish a false ID, was taken into custody, cuffed with his hands behind his back and returned to the courtroom.

He maneuvered the cuffs to his front and ran out of the courtroom through a back door, Sommermeyer said.Gray ran into District Judge Tim Williams' courtroom briefly before court marshals shocked him with a Taser and took him into custody.

See. You shouldn't run with scissors or away from a marshall with a taser. Bad things can happen!

Evil Ed pleads not guilty

Evil Ed plead not guilty to attempted murder charges this morning.

The RJ reports:

Edward Halverson, husband of embattled District Judge Elizabeth Halverson, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges this morning in District Court.
Halverson, 49, was indicted last week on charges of attempting to murder his wife.

Authorities said he struck Elizabeth Halverson in the head with a cast iron skillet during a fight at the couples' home.

Elizabeth Halverson spent more than two weeks in the hospital and had more than 100 staples inserted into her head to help heal deep cuts.

Edward Halverson is scheduled to go to trial on Dec. 1.

Too bad Judge Halverson's probably pissed at Evil Ed. Otherwise, she might be able to help him come up with an innovative legal defense, like the ones she used when trying not to get thrown off the bench permanently.

Hey, maybe he could argue that prosecuting him for attempted murder is a violation of the Americans with Disability Act because dealing with Judge Halverson day in and day out made him mentally and emotionally disabled. Hmm . . . might be safer to plead insanity based on the inability to understand his actions. I mean, he did actually marry Judge Halverson. Something's wrong there.