Attorney Khamsi named Las Vegas justice of the peace

Clark County commissioners appointed attorney Bita Khamsi for a vacant Las Vegas justice of the peace vacancy on Tuesday.

Khamsi is currently a team leader for the county public defender’s office, overseeing a group of 11 people.

She was picked from 18 applicants and was one of three finalists recommended to commissioners from a judicial selection committee headed by Nevada Supreme Court Justice Mark Gibbons.

Khamsi has been an attorney for 20 years, working for 18½ years in the public defender’s office.

The commission voted 4-2 on the decision, with Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani saying she had promised to support Amy Chelini, another finalist. Giunchigliani wished Khamsi well after the decision.

Khamsi isn’t sure when she’ll don the black robe. She said she has a couple of trials on her workload, and needs to talk with her boss about when she’ll transition to the judge position.

The other finalist was Richard Scow, the son of County Commissioner Mary Beth Scow. The commissioner recused herself from the discussion and vote to avoid conflicts of interest.

The vacancy became open when Justice of the Peace William Kephart was elected as a District Court judge on Nov. 4.

The Justice Court job pays $153,449 a year.

Contact Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com or 702-405-9781. Find him on Twitter: @BenBotkin1.