Carson City lawyer chosen as district court judge

A Carson City lawyer appointed Tuesday by Gov. Kenny Guinn as First District Court judge will continue his family tradition of public service.

James Todd Russell, a partner in the law firm of Allison, MacKenzie, Russell, Pavlakis, Wright & Fagan, said Tuesday that he is excited to serve Nevadans, following his father and grandfather.

Russell's grandfather, Clark J. Guild, was a district court judge for Carson City. Russell's father, Charles, was a two-term Nevada governor.

"I appreciate the support of the governor and the judicial selection commission," Russell said. "I'm looking forward to serving the citizens of Carson City and Storey County as a district court judge."

Russell, 59, served as chairman of the Nevada State Ethics Commission from 2001-2003. He has lived in Carson City for most of his life and has worked in the Carson City law firm for 30 years. Russell is a 1969 graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno. He earned his degree of juris doctorate from the University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

He is married to Jeanne and they have two sons: Matt, a radiologist at the Mayo Clinic and Tim, an engineer with Resource Concepts in Carson City.

Russell was selected to fill the First Judicial District Court vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Michael Griffin. Since Russell is filling the unexpired term of Griffin, he will be up for election in 2008. There are two district judges in the Carson District Court. The other post is held by Bill Maddox.

Guinn also reappointed Dennis Neilander as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Guinn's chief of staff, Keith Munro, was also named to the Gaming Control Board. Charles Howard Bowling was appointed to the Nevada Commission on Tourism.

Neilander has been a member of the Gaming Control Board since 1998. He was reappointed in 2002 to another four-year term and named chairman of the Gaming Control Board in 2003.

Munro, 41, has working in the governor's office since 2000. Previously, he was a senior deputy attorney general in the Nevada Office of the Attorney General. Munro, who will fill the seat being vacated by Bobby Siller, will join the Gaming Control Board on Jan. 1.

Bowling, 46, of Las Vegas, fills the Nevada Commission on Tourism board position vacated by Elaine Wynn. He is the executive vice president of sales and marketing for MGM Grand Resorts.

• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.