Nevada Judiciary

The Nevada Supreme Court’s Legacy of Justice Award for 2010 is being presented to two former District Court judges for their pioneering work in establishing Nevada’s first two Drug Courts.

Former Eighth Judicial District Judge Jack Lehman started the nation’s fifth Drug Court in Clark County in 1992 and former Second Judicial District Judge Peter Breen established Washoe County’s first Drug Court a short time later.

The Legacy of Justice Award is presented annually to the person or persons within the judicial system whose contributions, innovations, and achievements have resulted in significant improvements in the justice system and benefited the citizens of Nevada.

“Not only did these judges establish the first two Drug Courts, but they worked tirelessly to expand the Drug Court concept to courts throughout Nevada,” said Chief Justice Ron Parraguirre. 

Nevada currently has 46 Specialty Courts, including Drug Courts, Mental Health Courts, DUI Courts, Homeless Courts and Veterans Courts.

Judge Breen, 70, was the longest sitting district when he retired in 2009 after 32 years on the bench. Prior to becoming a judge, he worked as an attorney in private practice and as a Deputy Nevada Attorney General.  He continues to sit as a senior judge.

A Reno native who grew up in Goldfield and Tonopah, Judge Breen is a graduate of the University of Nevada Reno and Santa Clara University Law School.

Judge Lehman was appointed to the District Court bench in 1987 and retired in January 2003, but continued to serve as a senior judge until 2008.

Judge Lehman came to Las Vegas after World War II and was “Commander Lee” on a popular children’s show in the 1950s before serving as Director of Economic Development for the State of Nevada for four years.  He then spent 20 years as an attorney with the law firm of Lionel, Sawyer and Collins before taking the bench.

Judge Breen will be formally presented with a plaque from the Supreme Court by Chief Justice Parraguirre during a Washoe County Bar Association luncheon on May 12. 

Judge Lehman will be presented his plaque during ceremonies in Las Vegas in June.

The plaques recognize their “public service careers that have resulted in significant and innovative improvements in the justice system to the benefit of the citizens of Nevada.”

This is the second Legacy of Justice Award ever presented.  The first went to former Supreme Court Justice Bob Rose, who was a court reform advocate during his three terms on the Supreme Court.