From a childhood fascination with truth and justice to a career defined by thoughtfulness, empathy, and decisiveness, Judge Peterson’s path to the bench is anything but ordinary. In this candid conversation with Vegas Legal Magazine, Judge Peterson reflects on the early influences that shaped her love of problem-solving, the mentors and moments that guided her toward the judiciary, and the personal experiences that continue to inform her no-nonsense yet deeply human approach to the law. Equal parts insightful and disarming, the interview offers a rare look at the woman behind the robe – one who believes that clarity, kindness, and careful thinking are just as essential to justice as the written word of the law. 

Vegas Legal Magazine (VLM): Can you tell us a little about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in law? 

Jessica K. Peterson (JKP): I was born in London England in 1971.  I moved to California in 1975.  My mother limited my television time as a child, except for Saturday mornings when I could watch all the cartoons I wanted.  My favorite was Superfriends and my favorite character was Wonder Woman.  She had a truth lasso and I thought one of these days I would like a truth lasso.  I was an inquisitive child, as my mother liked to say I was the original “why” child.  I would ask a question and she would send me upstairs to our encyclopedias and if the answer was not there I would ride my bicycle 10 blocks to the library. I remember watching Murder She Wrote, Matlock and LA Law growing up and always was intrigued by how the characters were able to solve the crime and figure out the puzzle.  Figuring things out was always of interest to me and so I knew that I would always be involved in the law in some fashion or another.  I was ten years old when Sandra Day O’Connor was appointed as a Supreme Court Justice.  In her, I saw a woman who was both a lawyer and a mother ascend to one of the highest positions in the country.  I thought that was pretty cool and aspired to be her. 

VLM: Who or what had the biggest influence on your decision to become a judge? 

JKP: The what goes back to my childhood, researching and figuring things out is truly what I love to do.  As a Judge, one is presented with puzzles, having to read and understand and figure out the answer is at the end of the day what we do as Judges.  I love working through issues and coming up with answers.  The who is Judge Charles Johnson of the 57th Circuit Court in Emmett County Michigan.  I clerked for him in my last quarter of law school.  After working for him, and seeing how he approached the law from both a legal and equitable approach I knew that I wanted to do what he did. 

VLM: Looking back, what experiences shaped your approach to the bench? 

JKP: My approach stems from both my professional and personal experiences. As an attorney,   sometimes when I left the courtroom I would wonder how the Judge had arrived at their decision; this made it difficult to explain the decision to clients and often resulted in clients asking me to appeal or file Motions for Reconsideration.  Additionally, I remember sometimes having to go to Court and waiting for long periods of time before my case was called.  I vowed that when I became a Judge that the attorneys who appeared before me would always be able to understand my decisions and that I would endeavor to value their time.   

From a personal perspective, I have been exposed to many different people and walks of life. I lived in Europe for two years in high school, moved to Utah, Washington State then Michigan before moving to Nevada in 2007.  I have been a receptionist, a nanny, a waitress, a bartender, an office worker, a sandwich maker, a hostess, an attorney and a Judge.  All of my prior experiences have shaped me into someone who knows that everyone is important, none of us are perfect and everyone really is doing the best they can.  I try very hard to be both fair and equitable while remaining within the confines of the law when rendering my decisions. 

VLM: Outside of the courtroom, what are some of your personal interests or hobbies? 

JKP: My biggest hobby is spending time with friends and family, it really doesn’t matter what we are doing.  I also enjoy getting involved with community events. There is not a lot I won’t do, I enjoy cooking, painting, gardening, playing poker, working out, going to the theater both Smith Center and regular movies, playing with my dog, reading, heck – I can even make cleaning the house fun! – just don’t ask me to go hiking. 

VLM: What do you enjoy most about serving as a judge? 

JKP: There are so many things that I love about this job. I love being able to do as much legal research as I want without having to worry about billing clients for it. I love being able to help people resolve their cases, which I get to do a lot of through the Settlement Conference program.  I also love the feeling that I am making a difference in people’s lives. I have had many people that have told me that they could tell that I cared not just about the job but the people, which I do, and so it is extremely rewarding when the efforts that you make are recognized. 

VLM: What is the most challenging aspect of the role that people might not realize? 

JKP: Transitioning from being a lawyer to a Judge you can find yourself thinking why is someone not making a certain argument or objecting — avoiding the desire to play the “third lawyer” and not interjecting can be challenging. Having to rule in favor of one side when both sides are making valid and compelling arguments can be challenging. Balancing the need to insure that everyone is heard while still being conscientious and respectful of every other attorneys valuable time can be a challenge. 

VLM: What qualities do you most appreciate in attorneys who appear before you? 

JKP: Being prepared – this does not mean knowing what is contained in their Motion or Opposition, this means being prepared to answer the questions that the Court has that might not be contained in their Motion or Opposition.  I like attorneys who listen to both the Court and opposing counsel to understand rather than to respond and who are patient with both opposing counsel as well as the Court. 

VLM: What are some common mistakes you wish attorneys would avoid in your courtroom? 

JKP: Lack of courtroom decorum, by way of example interrupting or talking over each other or the judge; failing to respond to questions that are being asked, or attacking opposing counsel either in the courtroom or in written pleadings.  Forgetting that zoom appearances they should act like they are live in the courtroom. 

VLM: How do you think the legal community in Las Vegas can better support one another? 

JKP: Setting client expectations in the beginning of a case can go a long way to being able to work with opposing counsel.  If your client understands that you are going to run the day to day aspect of their case, it will make being able to give professional courtesies to the other side easier and will generally enable you to move your case forward easier. Also, if a deadline is coming up be proactive, while everyone needs to manage their own workload, if you know that there is a whole host of discovery that needs to be done that has not been done, maybe reach out to opposing counsel before they have to file the Motion seeking the extension and see if you can agree.  Lastly, BE KIND. 

VLM: What advice would you give to young or newly licensed attorneys starting out in the profession? 

JKP: Get involved in the legal community.  Go sit in courtrooms during Motion Calendar.  I learned the most from just going and sitting in certain Judges courtrooms after I was done with my hearing for the day.  CLE’s are required but your best education will come from watching how others do it and listening to Judges. Remember to have fun and to fight over the legal issues never make it personal.  At the end of the day, win or lose, you should be able to leave the courtroom and go have coffee, lunch or cocktails with opposing counsel. 

VLM: Looking back at your own career, what do you wish you knew as a young lawyer? 

JKP: I wish I would have known about all the organizations that are available to help you become a part of the legal community. 

VLM: What would you like to see more of from your fellow judges across Nevada? 

JKP: Our judiciary is very collegial.  We help each other – I would love to have more education on certain aspects of cases that the more senior judges may have had more experience with.  I think we do a good job now on a one on one basis of helping each other but maybe a more concerted and combined effort at education. 

VLM: How do you see the role of judges evolving over the next decade? 

JKP: Judges will always be necessary.  While AI can certainly increase the speed at which a Judge can obtain answers to research questions and may even potentially assist in drafting decisions, AI also hallucinates cases and does not yet have the creativity, empathy, or critical thinking  necessary to replace people.  I think the focus these days being more on rehabilitation than punishment at least in the criminal realm that Judges will take a more active role in creating diversionary programs that will help to rehabilitate people. 

VLM: What do you hope your legacy will be when people look back on your judicial career? 

JKP: I hope that I am remembered as a thoughtful, caring, intelligent and creative judge. One that followed the law at all times and looked at legal problems through a pragmatic lens and offered alternative ideas and solutions to solving those legal problems. I hope I am remembered as fair but tough and as funny and kind. I am certain I will be remembered as someone who has a no nonsense approach, a quick mind and an appreciation for preparedness. 

VLM: What keeps you grounded in a profession that can be demanding and high-pressure? 

JKP: I know it may sound hokey but truly being grateful every day that I get to live my life. In 2012,  I had brain surgery, I was told that if when I woke up that I was unable to speak that I would never speak again, anyone who knows me knows I am a chatterbox so the idea that I could potentially never speak again was terrifying – not to mention I could have died.  Going through something like that changes your perspective on life, and I am just grateful to be here and that I get to help people on a daily basis.   I also try to remember that EVERYONE, from the litigants to the attorneys is doing the best they can with what they know.  Some of us know more than others, that does not make us better or worse it just means that we may approach and look at issues from a different viewpoint and perspective. Talking problems and issues out with colleagues and friends and taking time for daily reflection and meditation helps remind me of that.  Additionally, remembering to have fun everyday even if it is just dancing in my kitchen as I mop the floors (remember I said I could make cleaning house fun) because laughter and joy truly is the best medicine. 

VLM: What do you enjoy most about living and working in Las Vegas? 

JKP: From the shows to the restaurants to the opportunities to get involved in the community there is always something to do. I like how Las Vegas is a “big little city” and that it is a community that will come together in times of tragedy as well as celebration.  The temperate climate and ability to wear open toed shoes 330 days a year also doesn’t hurt.  I have now lived here longer than anywhere else I have lived, I bought a home and have set down roots. I am proud to call Nevada home.  

VLM: Your top three restaurants and bars? 

JKP: Herbs & Rye – One of the few places that can make an actual Sazerac and the steaks are good too. 

Echo and Rig – blueberry pancakes and bottomless mimosas. I still love Marche Bacchus even if Jeff and Rhonda are no longer the owners simply for the location.  

But as most people who are my friends know – as long as it’s not Brussel sprouts or liver I’m in… 

Final words…in honor of my late Godfather the legendary David E. Davis Jr., who was always proud of me and who always pushed me to be better… Cogito Ergo Zoom.  This was David’s adaptation of Rene Descartes ‘cogito ergo sum’ which means ‘I think, therefore I am’. My godfather substituted “think” for “go fast” (“zoom”), reflecting a belief that a person’s intelligence and decisiveness are demonstrated by their ability to act quickly and with purpose. I strive every day to balance patience with decisiveness and to be circumspect and thoughtful in my approach to this job while always acting within the confines of the law.  I promise I will continue to do so for as long as the community will have me.    

Yours in service.  JKP