The Nevada Judiciary has announced new leadership roles with Justice Douglas W. Herndon taking on the position of Chief Justice of the Nevada Supreme Court, following Justice Elissa F. Cadish. Concurrently, Judge Bonnie A. Bulla steps into her role as Chief Judge of the Nevada Court of Appeals.
Justice Herndon will serve a two-year term and assumes responsibility as the administrative head and public representative of the Nevada Supreme Court. "I am honored to serve as Chief Justice of the Nevada Supreme Court," he stated, expressing gratitude towards his predecessor, Justice Cadish, for her leadership.
Justice Cadish reflected on her tenure by saying, “It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve as Chief Justice and lead our Nevada Judiciary this year,” adding that she trusts in Herndon's capabilities for continued success.
Herndon joined the Nevada Supreme Court in 2020 after 15 years as a District Court judge in Clark County's Eighth Judicial District Court. His career is marked by accolades such as the Light and Wisdom Diamond Award for Judicial Excellence in 2019.
Judge Bulla replaces Judge Michael P. Gibbons as Chief Judge of the Nevada Court of Appeals. Appointed to this court in 2019 by Governor Steve Sisolak, Bulla previously served over a decade as Discovery Commissioner in Clark County’s Eighth Judicial District Court.
Expressing appreciation for her new role, Bulla said, “I am grateful for this opportunity to lead the Court of Appeals,” acknowledging Judge Gibbons' previous contributions.
Bulla's legal career spans 37 years, including leadership roles within legal associations and committees revising civil procedure rules in Nevada. She was honored with the Liberty Bell Award by the Clark County Law Foundation in 2018.
Justice Cadish will continue her service on the Supreme Court with a new six-year term starting today, while Judge Gibbons remains on the Court of Appeals.
The Nevada Supreme Court consists of seven Justices elected to six-year terms and serves primarily to review appeals from District Courts. The Nevada Court of Appeals started operations in January 2015 under a model that helps manage caseloads between it and the Supreme Court effectively.
For more information about Nevada’s judicial branch, visit their official website at https://nvcourts.gov/supreme.