Sandoval picks two new Clark County judges
Gov. Brian Sandoval appointed a U.S. prosecutor and a private lawyer in Las Vegas on Thursday to fill two judicial seats in Clark County District Courts.
Joseph “Joe” Hardy Jr. and Louis Eric Johnson were selected to replace vacancies left when Abbi Silver and Jerome “Jerry” Tao were named to the newly created Nevada Court of Appeals.
Hardy and Johnson were two of four finalists recommended to the governor by the Nevada Commission on Judicial Selection.
Hardy, a 42-year-old partner with the law firm Gordon & Rees, received his law degree from Brigham Young University. He lost a bid for a District Court seat last year. He is the son of Republican state Sen. Joe Hardy.
“Throughout his career, Joe Hardy has demonstrated the qualities necessary to serve Nevada families as a fair and thoughtful member of the judiciary,” Sandoval said in a news release. “He has my trust and confidence as he joins the Eighth Judicial Court.”
Johnson, 54, is an assistant U.S. attorney who served as the chief of the Criminal Division for the District of Nevada. He is married to District Judge Susan Johnson.
“Eric is an intelligent and articulate individual with a wealth of courtroom experience,” the governor said. “His temperament and knowledge of the law will serve as valuable assets on the bench. I am proud to appoint Eric to this distinguished court.”
Contact David Ferrara at dferrara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039. Find him on Twitter: @randompoker.
