Reid chooses assistant DA to fill federal judgeship

      Sen. Harry Reid's second choice for a federal judgeship is Johnnie Rawlinson, an experienced prosecutor who could become the first black on Nevada's federal bench as well as the first woman to serve as a U.S. District Court judge in the state.

Johnnie Rawlinson Name: Johnnie B. Rawlinson Age: 44 Education: Graduated North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University with a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1974; obtained law degree from McGeorge School of Law in 1979. Work experience: --Three months in 1980 as lawyer for Nevada Legal Services. --1980 to present: employed by Clark County district attorney's office, first as deputy district attorney, then chief deputy district attorney in 1989, and assistant district attorney in 1995. Family: Husband, Dwight; children, Monica, 19, Traci, 14, and David, 7.

      Rawlinson, 44, has been a prosecutor with the Clark County district attorney's office since 1980 and was on the short list for a federal magistrate's job in 1991.
      Reid, D-Nev., announced the nomination Monday in a news release, 11 days after his first nominee, U.S. Attorney Kathryn Landreth, asked that her name be withdrawn from consideration because she wants to attend to "personal missions."
      Rawlinson was among those Reid considered initially in May, after U.S. District Judge Lloyd George said he will take senior status Dec. 1.
      Unlike Landreth, who was criticized for her lack of courtroom experience, Rawlinson's experience includes trial work.
      "In light of the fact I was a finalist for the U.S. magistrate's position, my credentials speak for themselves," the assistant district attorney said Monday, describing herself as a moderate who holds middle-of-the-road, mainstream America beliefs.
      When District Attorney Stewart Bell took office in 1995, he promoted her to assistant district attorney in charge of civil, family support and administrative divisions, making her the first female assistant district attorney in the office's history.
      She also heads the office's hiring committee, is a member of the death penalty review board and presents evidence at coroner's inquests.
      Rawlinson has advised county boards and agencies and has an expertise in arbitration, collection law, hospital law, local government purchasing, employment-labor law and workers' compensation.
      Reid said he wanted a woman in the position because it was time to break the all-male profile of the District Court. "But she's the most capable person around, no matter the sex, no matter the person. I feel I have the best person for the job."
      As to why she was his second, not his first, choice, Reid cited his long-standing friendship with Landreth.
      The legal community on Monday praised Rawlinson for her intelligence, experience, work ethic, integrity and judgment.
      "The only negative about this appointment is that I lose an absolutely top quality assistant," Bell said. "But my loss is more than offset by the community's gain."
      He said Rawlinson has "character and personal integrity that's above reproach."
      "She probably has the best judgment of any lawyer I've ever met," Bell said. "When I have a difficult question or ethical problem doing my duties, I usually call on her for advice and after talking to her, I have a comfort level that an appropriate decision has been made."
      Although the bulk of her career has been on the prosecution side, Rawlinson is also respected by the criminal defense bar, said defense attorney Karen Winckler, who was "absolutely delighted" by the appointment.
      "She's been in the community a long time and understands the Nevada political scene," said Winckler, describing Rawlinson as "hard working, patient, intelligent and just a real good person."
      While Reid is expected to gain some political benefits by choosing a woman and a minority, Winckler said she was "more pleased he chose someone with qualifications. See, there are qualified females out there."
      George, whose position Rawlinson will fill, said she has the intellect, academic background and demeanor to represent the ideal judge.
      "She's tried a few cases in federal court and in spite of the fact she's a very nice person, she's not abused by anybody," he said, calling her exactly what a judge should be -- balanced, bright and objective.
      Bell summed up her leadership ability saying, "Johnnie is never reluctant to take the lead when that is necessary, and she doesn't run her mouth when she has nothing to say."
      Clark County District Judge Michael Douglas, who had been recommended to Reid as a good judicial prospect, said Rawlinson was even-tempered, smart "and she brings a load of experiences in court ... she's been in the pressure cooker."
      Earlier this year, as legal adviser to the Clark County School Board, Rawlinson advised board members against releasing a controversial special education report.
      The report was released after the Review-Journal filed a lawsuit, and Clark County School Board member Lois Tarkanian, who wanted the report released, had only praise for Rawlinson.
      "By golly, she's not somebody you can buy or pressure, and there's so few people you can say that about today," Tarkanian said.
      Rawlinson said aside from her family, her nonwork time is taken up by community service, volunteer work with the state bar and her church.
      Her nomination by President Clinton, considered automatic, and confirmation by the U.S. Senate is required. Federal judicial nominees undergo background checks and are evaluated by the American Bar Association as part of the confirmation process.
      The lifetime appointment pays $133,600 a year, a raise from the $120,000 she now receives.
      Rawlinson said she plans to continue working at the district attorney's office while her nomination is pending.
      She is the mother of three. Her husband, Dwight, is purchasing and risk manager for the city of North Las Vegas.
      Rawlinson said she has known Reid since he was on the Nevada Gaming Commission (1977-81) but never worked for him politically.
      She moved to Las Vegas in 1979 after graduating in the top 10 percent of her class at the McGeorge School of Law. Born and raised in North Carolina, she was almost a straight-A student.
      Johnnie is her real first name, not a nickname, said the seventh daughter in a family of seven children.