LAS VEGAS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE

Four private lawyers, including a career FBI agent, will vie for a seat in the ever-expanding Las Vegas Justice Court and its newly created Department 12.

Colby Beck, David R. Linn, Steve Smith and Diana L. Sullivan each wants the judgeship, which was created to handle growing Justice Court case-loads.

Beck, 37, said his experience, including time as a city prosecutor in Chicago and a small claims court referee in Las Vegas, gives him a well-rounded background to preside as a justice of the peace.

As a judge, he said, he would rule often from the bench to move cases along and avoid frustrating delays. Beck said he always rules from the bench when hearing small claims cases.

"Judges are there to make decisions," Beck said.

Sullivan, who is also a small claims court referee and substitute justice of the peace, takes a different approach. She rules from the bench in only about a quarter of her cases and takes the rest home for further review. She issues written opinions in those cases, which she believes helps people understand her decisions and feel more satisfied about the process, she said.

Sullivan, 41, also said she would treat everyone in the courtroom the same.

"I treat people who represent themselves with as much respect as the lawyers," the Nevada native said.

Linn has been a lawyer for three decades. Twenty-two of those years were spent as an FBI agent.

The 62-year-old entered private legal practice after retiring about five years ago from the FBI. During his time as an agent, he spent 13 years in the FBI's Las Vegas office. His assignments included investigating white collar crime and public corruption.

He said moving to the bench would continue his commitment to public service.

As a judge, Linn said he would be fair and impartial and not legislate from the bench.

Smith, who declined to give his age, has been a lawyer for 27 years, the past 17 in Nevada. He served as a public defender and prosecutor in Phoenix before moving to Nevada, where he has served as an arbitrator and substitute justice of the peace.

"I've cut my teeth on a lot of judicial-type functions," Smith said.

Contact reporter Brian Haynes at bhaynes@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0281.