Nevada to get another federal judgeship

WASHINGTON - Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., announced Thursday that Nevada will get another new federal judge next year.

That will bring the total number of U.S. District Judge seats in Nevada to seven.

Ninth Circuit Court Justice Proctor Hug Jr. of Reno said the new position is badly needed.

He said the District of Nevada - especially Las Vegas - is among the busiest in the federal system.

"For the last three or four years, it's been in the top three to five as far as caseload per judge," he said.

Hug said the new position means Nevada has two spots on the federal bench to fill this coming year. Right now, Howard McKibben and David Hagen sit as District Judges in Reno with Philip Pro, Kent Dawson and Roger Hunt in Las Vegas.

In addition, he said there is a vacancy in Las Vegas as a result of Johnnie Rawlinson being appointed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. That position remained unfilled when the 106th Congress adjourned this past week and, along with the new position, will be filled this coming year.

In addition, former Chief Judge Lloyd George sits as a senior judge in Las Vegas and Ed Reed as senior - which means semi-retired - in Reno.

Hug said, however, because of the press of business both those judges have very heavy caseloads.

Reid said he will work with Sen.-elect John Ensign to see those positions are filled as quickly as possible once the 107th Congress opens for business.

"Our federal courts in Nevada are already facing a backlog so it is imperative that the consideration process begin immediately," said Reid.