Juvenile court judge retiring

After 19 years on the juvenile court bench, Special Master David Nielsen will retire Nov. 1.

"My wife's been retired for a few years and we'd like to travel a little bit," said Nielsen 57. "I may go into private practice. I could do arbitration. I'll be doing some things probably working for the courts."

Nielsen was appointed by the First Judicial District Court in January 1991. In 1996 he became the Discovery Commissioner and began administering the Civil Arbitration Program and the Family Mediation Program.

He established the Juvenile Drug Court Program in 1999 and in the past 10 years more than 100 juveniles have participated and received treatment and counseling for drug abuse.

Throughout Nielsen's tenure, he also has presided over matters in the absence of the Justices of the Peace and Municipal Court judges in Carson City.

"Judge Nielsen has always been a big advocate for the youth in Carson City. This holds true beyond the bench. He was involved with me while coaching kids in Little League Baseball and even took the time to take two (kids) who were removed from their homes to a San Francisco Giants game," said Chief Juvenile Probation Officer John Simms. "He wore many hats on the bench and wore all of those hats with compassion, dignity and wisdom."

Longtime Carson City Senior Deputy District Attorney Kristin Luis has been appointed to take Nielsen's place.

She was selected by the First Judicial District Court judges, by Nielsen, and other panel members, as the incoming juvenile special master.

Luis was hired on at the Carson City District Attorney's Office in January of 2000.

She received her juris doctorate from Gonzaga University School of Law. She also attended the University of Nevada, Reno and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Political Science and Economics. Luis takes over the bench on Nov. 1.