Seven apply for Carson City judicial post

Seven lawyers including District Attorney Noel Waters and former DA Bill Maddox have applied for the Carson City judicial seat being vacated by Michael Fondi.

The Judicial Selection Commission is on a fast track to select one of them as his replacement because Fondi's retirement is effective Aug. 11.

Waters, 51, is in his third term as Carson DA. He has made no secret of his desire to move to the district court bench when an opening occurred.

Maddox, 52, is one of the most prominent defense lawyers in Carson City. He is also a former U.S. attorney for the state of Nevada.

The others on the list are:

Patrick O. King, 47, Gardnerville. In addition to his private practice, he is president and chief operating officer of Whiskers and Paws Catering.

Kay M. Macuil, 41, who is a deputy with the Elko District Attorney's Office.

James W. Shewan, 51, Reno, a deputy with the Washoe District Attorney's Office. Tim Terry, 47, Carson City, head of the Medicaid Fraud Unit of the Attorney General's Office. Joseph L. Ward, 45, of Carson City, also with the Attorney General's Office.

Notably absent from the list was former state Sen. Ernie Adler, who expressed an interest in the post.

The nine-member selection commission headed by Supreme Court Chief Justice Bob Rose will interview the seven candidates Aug. 10 in Carson City. Its job is to forward a list of three finalists to Gov. Kenny Guinn who will select one of them as Fondi's replacement.

Seven members of the commission are term appointees. But for each district judge's post, two temporary appointees are added from the district where the judge will serve. In this case, they are former Carson City Mayor Jim Robertson and Carson City lawyer Todd Russell, who was originally one of those expected to apply for the post.

All of the applicants must be licensed lawyers, at least 25 years old and a Nevada resident for two years or more. They must be "qualified electors" - which means citizens in good standing.

Each of the seven filled out an application containing 48 questions dealing with everything from their education and law practice, professional and personal conduct, health, business and community involvement.

Carson City has two district judges: Mike Griffin and Fondi. Fondi is third in seniority among Nevada's 57 district court judges, having served 23 years. He is closely followed by Griffin.

Fondi, 63, has not specified his plans for the future.