More lawyers interested in judgeship

The list is growing of attorneys vying for the Carson City judgeship being vacated by 23-year veteran Michael Fondi.

Tim Terry and Ernie Adler have said they will apply for appointment to the District Court Department II position opening up mid-August.

Todd Russell and Allison Joffee both said they considered applying for the position, but decided the timing was not right. Joffee said if District Attorney Noel Waters is appointed to Fondi's seat, she will campaign for his job.

"I have considered applying, but I am more interested and I think there is more for me to do as a district attorney," she said.

Fondi announced his retirement Thursday and plans to don his black robe for the last time in August. The move was expected, following several months of rumors that he was considering retirement after the election-filing deadline for 2000.

Because of the timing of the announcement, a replacement will be appointed to serve until 2002, the end of Fondi's term. Bar members statewide will be notified of the opening by the Supreme Court, at which time they may apply to the state's Judicial Selection Commission. The Commission sends a list of three names to Gov. Kenny Guinn's office, from which he appoints a judge.

When the position comes up for re-election, the judge must live in the first judicial district, which comprises Carson City and Storey County.

Terry, 47, director of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at the state attorney general's office, attempted unsuccessfully to unseat Fondi in 1996, the only time Fondi has run contested since he was appointed in 1977. He came in a close second with 44 percent of the vote.

"I've been planning to be a judge for quite some time," he said. About his time in the attorney general's office, he said it has allowed him to "match wits and go against some of the best attorneys in the world.

"It's been fascinating work. I get to work with different agencies and the justice department."

Terry started his Nevada law career as a graduate out of California Western clerking at the state Supreme Court. After his clerkship finished, he stayed on as a staff attorney for two more years before going into private practice. He started in the attorney general's office in 1991.

Adler, 49, also worked as a chief in the attorney general's office, heading the criminal division until he left 16 years ago to go into private practice. He served for two terms in both the state Assembly and state Senate. He has also helped draft uniform code for revised statute legislation.

"I've had law experience in all areas that the district judge deals with," he said.

Adler is registered Democrat and Terry is registered Republican, although both doubt affiliation carries much weight in the governor's choice.

Waters and his predecessor Bill Maddox, also a former United States attorney, have also said they will be seeking the open spot.