Carson's Wilson retiring after 15 years as district judge

Carson City’s First Judicial District Court Judge James Wilson announced in an Oct. 20 news release he is retiring after 15 years on the bench.

Wilson will leave office on Jan. 8. Per state law, Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo will appoint an interim judge to work until a successor is elected in the November general election and takes office.

“Judge Wilson was first elected to office in 2008 and has been re-elected two times since then,” states the release. “In his retirement letter to Gov. Joe Lombardo, he stated, ‘I have been very blessed. It has been an honor to serve with the other district judges throughout the state. I very much appreciate many who have helped me along the way, for those who entrusted me with public office and very grateful for the great people I have worked with at the court. It has been the experience of a lifetime serving as District Court Judge for Carson City and Storey County.’”

Since being elected, Wilson completed more than 1,000 hours of judicial education and in 2020, the Nevada Administrative Office of the Courts and the National Judicial College recognized his efforts with the Distinguished Jurist Award “for Exceptional Study and Accomplishment in the Field of Continuing Judicial Education,” according to the release.

“Judge Wilson spearheaded proposing a petition to the Nevada Supreme Court to approve repealing local rules and establishing new local rules to improve procedural efficiencies, consistency and certainty in the First Judicial District Court,” the release further states. “Being one of two District Court Judges in the First Judicial District Court, Judge Wilson has presided over numerous cases involving criminal, civil, family law, guardianships, estates, juvenile, adoptions and judicial petitions.”

According to Carson City’s website, Wilson is a lifelong resident of Nevada who was raised in the capital city and graduated from Carson High in 1973. He attended the University of Nevada, Reno, and fought fires for the Bureau of Land Management during the summer. He also worked as a smokejumper for the U.S. Forest Service and as a deputy sheriff in Carson City before going to law school.

In 1982, Wilson was elected district attorney of Elko County. He later returned to Carson City and operated a private practice before running for judge.

“I’m grateful for Judge Wilson’s decades of public service on the First Judicial District Court,” said Gov. Joe Lombardo. “Throughout his career, Judge Wilson’s rulings and decisions have consistently demonstrated sound judgment, experience, and extensive knowledge. I wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.”