Chad Lundquist/Nevada Appeal Outgoing District Attorney Noel Waters talks on the phone while working to clear his office Wednesday afternoon. Waters decided in September he would not seek a sixth term, and has accepted a position with one of Nevada's most prestigious and largest private law firms, Lionel, Sawyer & Collins.
Outgoing District Attorney Noel Waters has accepted a position with one of Nevada's most prestigious and largest private law firms, Lionel, Sawyer & Collins.
"I was sort of prepared to go where the opportunities took me. It's good for me to be able to stay here," he said Wednesday as he packed up the office he's held since 1985.
As Carson City's longest-serving district attorney, Waters decided in September he would not seek a sixth term. He instead submitted his application for the judgeship being left vacant by the retirement of Carson City District Judge Michael Griffin.
He didn't get the appointment, but after a meeting with partners from Lionel, Sawyer and Collins two weeks ago, Waters was offered the position.
He will serve as counsel to the firm in its Carson City and Reno offices.
Lionel Sawyer & Collins Managing Partner Paul Hejmanowski noted in a press release that Waters is the latest in a long line of Nevada public servants who have entered private practice at the firm.
Among the public servants who have moved there are its co-founder, former Gov. Grant Sawyer, former Nevada attorney general, governor, and U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan and chairman of the Clark County Commission Rory Reid.
Among the firm's other attorneys are former federal, state and local government administrators, attorneys and prosecutors.
Lionel, Sawyer and Collins has approximately 80 attorneys throughout its Las Vegas, Reno, Carson City and Washington, D.C., offices.
"Noel Waters brings to the firm a unique knowledge of the state of Nevada and its law. His experience and skills provide an additional resource to our clients that cannot be replicated at any other firm," Hejmanowski said.
Waters, who utters "Jiggers, it's the press," at the sight of a reporter, refers to a DUI defendant as being "hoot-owl drunk," or asks to be identified as "intrepid crimebuster," said he will continue to teach pro-bono at the Peace Officers Standards Training at Western Nevada Community College.
"This will be an interesting change of pace," he said. "In some ways, it's kind of nice to switch gears. But gosh, it's been a lot of fun."
• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.