Cotter Conway

I have the qualifications, skills, and experience to excel in this judicial position. In addition to over 32 years practicing law, I have proudly served this community as a jurist over the last 8 years. I currently work at the Reno Justice Court as a judicial officer appointed by the elected Justices of the Peace. The position, known as a Court Referee, handles misdemeanor citations, contested civil infraction hearings, small claims trials, and other civil matters, including evictions and protection orders. I have also presided over criminal matters as a Judge Pro Tempore in the Reno Justice Court, Sparks Justice Court, Sparks Municipal Court, and Incline Justice Court.

• I am the only candidate with the right experience having served as a Judge Pro Tempore in Washoe County for close to 8 years.
• in 2021, I was appointed by the Justices of of the Reno Justice Court to serve as the Court Referee (the first ever to be so appointed).
• I am the only candidate with experience in a Specialty Court. I was assigned to the Co-Occuring Disorder Court in the Reno Municipal Court for 8 years. And I now preside over the DUI Court in Reno Justice Court when the presiding judge is unavailable. I think it's important to seek out a way to rehabilitate offenders charged with misdemeanors. A lot of criminal behavior is because people may not have an option, or at least they don't think they have an option, because of their drug addiction or their mental illness. Those issues should be addressed, if possible, in the lower courts. It may be too late when the offender is facing a felony in the District Court.

A judicial candidate cannot campaign on policy or how he would rule if he made it to the bench. He must remain impartial. So the important thing for a judicial candidate is to highlight his experience both on the bench as well as in the practice of law. And it's important for the voter to make that choice based on that proven experience.

The following qualities contribute to a judge's ability to uphold justice and serve the public effectively: 1. Judicial Temperament - the ability to apply the law to the facts and to understand how a decision will affect those that appear before the court; 2. Impartiality - remaining neutral and unbiased, regardless of personal beliefs or external pressures; 3. Fairness - treating all parties equally and ensuring due process; 4. Communication Skills - effective communication with counsel, jurors, witnesses, and parties; and 5. Compassion - recognizing the human impact of decisions.

It might not have been my first job but I spent a summer working at the Ponderosa Ranch (that's right, of Bonanza fame) in Incline Village, Nevada. My actual first job was as a camp counselor at a YMCA camp in upstate New York. I did that for 3 or 4 summers in my teens. I had been a camper at the same camp.

Deadpool. I enjoy his sarcastic sense of humor!

Empathy is indeed a crucial quality for a judge. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It is important for a judge as it helps him understand the litigants, consider the real-life consequences for individuals, and treat all parties with respect regardless of their background or circumstances. While judges must apply the law objectively, empathy (as well as compassion) enhance their ability to serve justice effectively.

Yes, previous experience is beneficial for one seeking a judicial position. Having an extensive resume gives a judicial candidate the qualifications, skills, and experience necessary to do the job. It gives him the insight one can only receive by actually sitting on the bench and doing the job of a jurist. The right experience makes him the right choice.

A man was driving along a rural road when he saw a chicken running down the road. He noticed the chicken was running at an impressive 30 mph.
So he sped up and the chicken kept pace. They raced down the road until suddenly, the chicken veered off into a barnyard. The man followed and saw a farmer.
He asked the farmer, ‘Why is that chicken so fast?’

The farmer replied, ‘Well, you see, my wife, my son, and I love the drumstick but, of course, there are only two. So I bred chickens with three legs so we wouldn't fight over the drumstick.’

The man was amazed, 'How do they taste?’
The farmer said, ‘I don’t know. I haven’t been able to catch one yet!’"