CLARK COUNTY FAMILY COURT P

The unusual race for the new Family Court Department P judgeship pits a sitting midterm judge against a longtime local attorney who accuses the judge of "manipulating the system."

At issue is Family Court Department E Judge Sandra L. Pomrenze's decision to run for the equivalent Department P seat even though her own term doesn't expire until 2010.

"I think it's unfair to the voters who elected her four years ago," her opponent, Jack Howard, said.

He added that if Pomrenze wins, the governor will appoint a replacement to finish out her Department E term, "putting it (the judgeship) back in the highly political arena versus a vote by the voters."

But Pomrenze said she is simply dealing with "a set of circumstances" that she is "trying to adapt to."

The judge pointed to a Legislature decision that addressed judges who run in what they call "off years." In order to get all the District Court judges on the same election cycle, several Family Court judges elected four years ago will run in 2010 for four-year, rather than six-year, terms.

Pomrenze said the decision effectively abolishes her seat at the end of her term and creates a new seat, disallowing her to run as an incumbent. Instead, she'll have to run for the newly created replacement seat.

"I want to keep my seat, but it's being taken away from me," she said. "You take the job that's available now rather than trying to predict the vagaries of the future."

Pomrenze, who was licensed to practice law in Nevada in 1986, is in her first term as judge. She said she is a fair jurist who hopes to devote the rest of her career to Family Court.

"It's incredibly rewarding and challenging," she said. "You can have such an important impact on our community. It's a huge responsibility, but I believe I'm up for it."

Howard is a veteran Clark County attorney with concentrations on family, criminal and civil law. He has served as a hearing master and judge pro tem in Family Court and is a pro tem judge in the Boulder City Municipal Court.

He said his varied experience and even temperament will make him a good judge.

"I've judged in every single area of family law -- juvenile, child support enforcement, guardianship and temporary protective orders," he said.

Howard earned his law degree from the California Western School of Law.

Pomrenze earned her law degree from the John Marshall Law School.

Contact reporter Lynnette Curtis at lcurtis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0285.