Nevada Judiciary

Dec. 20, 2011

Three Nevada Supreme Court Justices were honored with awards at the 11^th Annual Pro Bono Awards luncheon, sponsored by the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada.

Chief Justice Nancy Saitta received the Champion of Children Award while Justices Michael Douglas and James Hardesty were honored with the Justice Nancy Becker Pro Bono Award of Judicial Excellence

The Champion of Children Award is given to a person in the legal community who has had “extraordinary vision and has effectively implemented positive change for children in foster care so they have not only a voice in court, but a voice in their future.”  The award was presented by Barbara Buckley, who heads the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada.

“I was completely honored to receive such an important award,” said Chief Justice Saitta, who chairs the Supreme Court’s Court Improvement Program for the Protection and Permanency of Dependent Children, better known as the CIP Select Committee.  A primary goal of CIP is to work for the improvement of children and families entering the child welfare system.  CIP most recently has been assisting in forming Community Improvement Councils in each judicial district to identify ways to improve the child welfare and dependency court operations.

“I greatly appreciate the work everyone involved with CIP does on behalf of children,” Chief Justice Saitta said.

The Justice Nancy Becker Pro Bono Award of Judicial Excellence is given “to recognize members of the Judiciary who have given their time, energy and influence to encourage pro bono work and access to justice.”

The co-recipients of the Pro Bono Award of Judicial Excellence, Justices Hardesty and Douglas, co-chair the Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission, which works to open the courthouse doors wider for those who come to the courts for assistance in resolving disputes.

“The award was a surprise and greatly appreciated,” said Justice Douglas.  “But the real focus should be on what the judiciary is doing to help people during these difficult economic times.”

“It is an honor to be mentioned at a ceremony recognizing all of the tremendous pro bono work performed by the lawyers in Clark County,” said Justice Hardesty. “They are the true heroes in the continuing effort to provide for the civil legal needs of so many in our community.  I am proud to offer whatever assistance I can to the remarkable success of the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada and its pro bono project and I thank them for noting my involvement in the statewide goal to improve Access to Justice for all Nevadans.”

All seven Supreme Court justices participated as presenters during the Pro Bono Awards Luncheon on December 2, 2011, at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Chief Justice Saitta presented the Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award to Dara Goldsmith and Marjorie Guymon. 

Justice Douglas presented the Lied Award for lawyers and law firms who have had the highest participation in pro bono cases.  Snell & Wilmer won for Most Hours for a Law Firm (1,330).  Kunin & Carman received the award for Most Cases for a Law Firm (27).  Richard Gordon was recognized for Most Hours for an Attorney (515).  Israel “Ishi” Kunin received the award for Most Cases for an Attorney (21).

Justice Hardesty presented the Law Firm Rising Star Award to the law firm of Hutchinson & Steffen for exhibiting a firm-wide commitment to pro bono programs.

Justice Michael Cherry gave the Ask-A-Lawyer Community Commitment Award to Robert E. Blau as a volunteer who made a tremendous commitment to the Ask-A-Lawyer Program.

Justice Kristina Pickering presented the Public Interest Law Student of Distinction award to Jessica Perlick.  The award is given to a law student who has done public work and promoted access to justice.

Justice Ron Parraguirre presented the Volunteer Surrogate Award recognizing a non-attorney volunteer who has made a difference in the life of a child with special educational needs.  The award went to Patricia LaMonica.