Judge Joanna Kishner of Department 31 of the Eighth Judicial District Court has spent her life deeply connected to Las Vegas. Born and raised in the city, she grew up during a time when Las Vegas combined the excitement of the entertainment capital of the world with the close knit feeling of a small town. From attending Clark High School to eventually returning home to build her legal career, Judge Kishner’s path has been shaped by a strong commitment to public service and the community that helped raise her. Influenced by mentors, family values centered on service above self, and a lifelong respect for the justice system, she has served the people of Clark County on the bench for more than fifteen years. In this edition of Meet the Incumbent, Judge Kishner reflects on her childhood in Las Vegas, the experiences that inspired her legal career, and what it means to serve as a judge in the same community where she grew up and raised her own family.

Vegas Legal Magazine (VLM): You were born and raised in Las Vegas. What was the city like during your childhood?

Judge Joanna Kishern (JJK): Las Vegas was the entertainment capital of the world but it had a small town feel. Our community was one of paradoxes. It was not unusual to go to school or know someone whose family worked for the FBI and to also know someone, who I found out years later, had a relative who may have been under investigation. I would see people you read about and saw in movies and also met people who were part of working families. At the time, it did not seem unusual to have Liberace come over and say hello when we were eating at his restaurant, have Joan Rivers sit near me at an event, or have friends whose mothers were show girls. It also was not unusual for school age children to see the shows on the Strip. For example, in high school sometimes we would go to a show after a school dance. One time we went to see Wayne Newton and he did so many encores that I missed curfew. I was about to be grounded so my friend reached out to his father who worked in the showroom and his father explained to my parents that Wayne Newton had performed past his scheduled time. As a result, I was not grounded.  At the time, I did not appreciate how unique my experiences were but now I do.

VLM: What are some of your earliest memories of growing up here?

JJK: One of my earliest memories was how individuals who did not live in Las Vegas viewed Las Vegas very differently than I did. There were several occasions when I was young when I would be at camp, at an out-of-town school function, or on vacation, when someone would ask me where I was from. I would respond Las Vegas. On more than one occasion, the response would be “I didn’t know people actually lived there” or “I didn’t know they have schools there as I thought there were only casinos.” I would generally try and explain that we were a typical community nestled in the desert with beautiful mountains. I will acknowledge, however, that there may have been an occasion when a person was persistent in her misconception, that I may have joked that our teachers didn’t teach us to count to ten but, instead, we were taught to count to twenty-one by playing blackjack.

VLM: How has Las Vegas changed the most since you were young?

JJK: Due to the increase in population and the changing views on gaming, there are now more sports and cultural/arts activities than there were when I was growing up. As I am sports enthusiast and a supporter of the arts, I enjoy the opportunity to go to these events locally. There is also a positive derivative effect as many of these companies participate in charitable organizations and/ or provide support to our schools. The change in population has also resulted in an increase in crime. The increase in crime is an ongoing challenge we address in the court system.

VLM: Did growing up in Las Vegas shape your perspective on justice or community in a unique way?

JJK: Yes, it shaped my perspective on both. My father was very active in community service including Rotary. Rotary’s motto is “Service above self”. I was raised on that motto and I continue to follow that every day. It impacts my view both on community and justice. As I explained further in my response to another question, I wanted to be a judge since I was a youth as I was taught how important the justice system impacts everyone in our community on a daily basis.

VLM: Were there particular neighborhoods, schools, or community spaces that influenced you?

JJK: The neighborhood I grew up in is now called McNeil. I was fortunate that we felt safe playing throughout our neighborhood as the neighbors all looked out for everyone’s children not just their own. My neighbors showed me the importance of being part of a community.

The neighborhood I grew up in also gave me the opportunity to attend quality public schools such as West Charleston (now Howard Wasden) Elementary, Matt Kelley Sixth Grade Center, Hyde Park Junior High and Clark High School. By attending those schools, I not only made lifelong friends, but I was fortunate to have outstanding teachers who instilled in me a love of learning and sense of how important our community is. Over three decades later, I was honored to be asked to be a part of Clark High and ATEC’s parent/community boards which allowed me to help students pursue their own goals.

VLM: Did you always imagine building your career here, or did you ever consider leaving?

JJK: After graduating Clark High School, I knew I wanted to expand my knowledge and experience elsewhere so that I had a broad based background. I also always planned to return to Las Vegas as I knew early on that I wanted to do public service in my hometown.

VLM: How does serving the community you grew up in feel different from serving elsewhere?

JJK: It is the reason I became the Judge in Department 31. In 2010, the Court expanded from twenty-five departments to thirty-two. I chose to seek to be the Judge in Department 31, because it was symbolic of Nevada Day which is October 31st. For me, I believed that I had the breadth and depth of experience based on my then over twenty years of being an attorney combined with being a Justice of the Peace Pro Tem, Arbitrator, and Small Claims Referee. I felt I also had shown a strong commitment to the community through my pro bono work and community service. By selecting to serve in Department 31, it brought together all of those factors as well as my desire to serve the community where I grew up and raised my children. I am reminded every day for the past fifteen years of how important it is to serve our Nevada community as I welcome individuals to Department 31.

VLM: Do you ever run into people from your childhood in your courtroom?

JJK: Yes, in many contexts. There have been several occasions where a prospective juror is someone I went to school with, volunteered in the community or knew my parents. More recently, as my children are in their twenties, I am now seeing some of their friends not only as jurors, but also as attorneys. To ensure transparency, I do various things. First, I review the juror list and look at the jurors who come into Court. I then disclose to the attorneys/litigants if I know anyone. Second, in my introductory remarks, I state that I was born and raised in Clark County and ask if any prospective juror knows me. It is a humbling experience when someone I knew when I was a child or who I knew as a teacher comes into Court and says an unprompted complementary comment about me. Similarly, there was a chuckle in the Courtroom when one time a person said they knew me before I could walk. It is also enjoyable to see the kids that I made snacks for or attended my children’s birthdays, now appear as part of a legal team or jurors.

VLM: What do longtime Las Vegas residents understand about this community that newcomers might not?

JJK: We are fortunate to be a melting pot of long-time residents and newer residents; each of which bring their own experiences and perspectives. Those who have lived in the Clark County area for a long time understand that we have a unique sense of community that is often found in smaller towns. Longtime residents do not seem surprised that this sense of community has resulted in several of us seeking to serve the public as Judges whereas individuals who have moved to our community more recently seem surprised that many of us are or were judges. To illustrate my point, I graduated Clark High School in 1982. I went to high school with the late Judge Valerie Adair (1981), former Justice and Judge Abbi Silver (1982), Judge Kathleen Delaney (1983), and Judge Denise Gentile (1983).

VLM: What does it mean to you personally to give back to the city that raised you?

JJK: Personally, I am honored and humbled that our community has provided me the opportunity over the last fifteen years to serve the community where I was born and raised and where I raised my children. Whenever I volunteer or speak at schools and to groups, I try and express my appreciation that I had so many mentors during my youth which helped me develop the breadth and depth of expertise that I use now to serve our community.

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

JJK: As I mentioned, I was born and raised in Las Vegas where service above self was put into action every day. I was fortunate to have excellent teachers who inspired me as well. I believe that you need to give back and work hard which resulted in my being a Valedictorian, Student Body Treasurer, Yearbook Editor, Spanish Cub President, and having many other roles in high school.

I then went to Claremont McKenna College where I double majored in Political Science and Psychology Magna Cum Laude while working with Autistic children. I worked at a local law firm, Lionel Sawyer and Collins, during a summer and a Los Angeles firm another summer. I chose two majors as I felt they would provide me a good foundation for a career in law as well as allow me work with special needs children.

Afterwards, I went to UCLA School of Law. At UCLA, I continued my community work through the Homeless Legal Project while continuing to strengthen my experience by externing for a full semester for a federal Judge, working as the Managing Editor of the Federal Communications Law Journal, participating in Moot Court, and clerking for two national/international law firms.

After law school, although I knew I wanted to return to Las Vegas in the future, and wanted to be a Judge, I knew I needed to have a strong breadth and depth of experience. I accepted the job offer that not only would allow me to develop my skills, but also could provide me the opportunity to work on Los Angeles Dodger’s matters and potentially work on some matters in Nevada. I was then offered the opportunity to expand my experience to be an in-house Senior Counsel at Warner Bros. I worked at Warner Bros. until I had my son.

Once I started my own family, I knew I wanted to raise my children where I was raised. I returned home to Las Vegas and accepted a position at an international law firm. In addition to representing clients, I volunteered my time pro bono including being an advocate for children through the Children’s Attorney Project. In order to prepare myself to transition to be a full time Judge, I was a Justice of the Peace Pro Tem, Small Claims Referee, and Arbitrator. I also continued to hone my mediation skills.

As I discussed above, when Department 31 was created, I felt my over twenty years of experience, combined with my dedication to the community, meant it was the right time to pursue my dream of serving our community as a Judge. I have served as the only Judge in Department 31 since its inception.

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

JJK: My biggest influence was the way I was brought up. While my father was a constant positive influence, he also introduced me to community leaders who were also lawyers and/or Judges such the late Judge Lloyd George, the late Samuel Lionel, and former Justice Miriam Shearing. Each of these individuals gave back to the community in a variety of ways which inspired me to be a Judge.

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

JJK: Throughout my life, I have worked with a very broad cross-section of individuals with all levels of capabilities. I have counseled, advocated, and represented a wide variety of clients with different needs throughout the world. I believe that these experiences have influenced me to be very well-prepared and not merely state my ruling. Instead, I ask questions and explain my rulings. My goal is that each litigant and attorney will understand that I read and listened to everything, that he/she/they were treated fairly and impartially, and that the ruling was based on the law. Regardless, if I have a pro se litigant, a newer attorney, or a very experienced attorney, I want each individual to understand that whatever the ruling is, it was fully and carefully considered.

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

JJK: I enjoy spending time with my adult children doing things we all enjoy. For example, my son and I will travel to areas where we can visit sites but also see the Golden Knights, Dodgers or Lakers play. My daughter is more interested in art and culture, so we go to art and cultural events.

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

JJK: Every day I learn and have the opportunity to help people and companies resolve issues.

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

JJK: The most challenging aspect is that some individuals take a ruling personally rather than acknowledging that each decision needs to be based on the law.

VLM: How has your perspective on justice evolved since you first took the bench?

JJK: I realize every day that the law evolves and changes and I adapt with each new change by researching, preparing and listening to those who appear. While the legislature may change or modify a law, or the appellate courts may make new precedent, my perspective that justice needs to be timely, fair, and impartial has not changed.

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

JJK: I appreciate when attorneys are prepared, show professional courtesy, and demonstrate that they care about their clients and the law.

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

JJK: We have an excellent bar with excellent lawyers. At the same time, everyone makes mistakes. Many of the mistakes can be minimized if an attorney is prepared and reads the rules and case law applicable to his/her matter. To not show up for court, or to come unprepared, negatively impacts the attorney’s client. It can also negatively impact others who are waiting to have their matter(s) heard.

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

JJK: There are a several ways the legal community can support one another. One way is if an attorney realizes that another attorney is having a personal difficulty or health issues, they can accommodate those needs as I do from the judicial side. Sometimes referring the person to Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, or the free counseling program through the State Bar, can help someone in need. Other times, listening to the person so that he/she knows someone cares can be a solution.

If the issue is lack of understanding or being new to the profession, then offering mentorship or guidance can help. There are numerous continuing education programs that are available for free or at minimal cost. Suggesting some specific courses can help support as well.

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

JJK: I would suggest that newly-licensed attorneys find a mentor. If the newly-licensed attorney is in a firm, then reaching out to someone more experienced in their field would assist them. They should also reach out to support staff as oftentimes the support staff are very familiar with procedures and can offer valuable insights.

I would also advise a newly admitted attorney to observe court as he/she/they can easily connect via Zoom to almost any hearing or trial and observe not only other attorneys, but the Judge so that they gain knowledge, understanding, confidence, and be comfortable in court. Observing is also important in developing a style of presentation as you can observe how many different individuals address an issue.

Additionally, all attorneys should be familiar with the rules that apply to their case as that is going to guide each matter. The rules apply to everyone, equally, so having an understanding of both procedural and substantive rules will not only allow the lawyer to feel more comfortable in court, but it will also help him/her/they be more successful.

As a final pointer, I would suggest that the person be prepared rather than just try and wing it. Successful attorneys are prepared and explain things in a simple manner that leads the Judge or jury to rule in their favor.

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

JJK: I wish I had a crystal ball that works. While I have enjoyed the challenges I have undergone since I graduated law school and passed my first bar in 1989, I wish I knew how much I would enjoy being a lawyer and Judge.

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

JJK: As the former president of the Nevada District Judges Association, I would have had the opportunity to work with Judges throughout the state. I would like it if we could collaborate more so that we can better appreciate what Judges in each District encounter and learn from each other.

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

JJK: I see the role of judges evolving to meet the community needs. One way to do that is through effectively and efficiently managing our dockets and participating in settlement conferences to help parties resolve their issues.

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

JJK: I would hope that my legacy reflects that I truly care about justice and access to Justice so that everyone’s voice is heard fairly and impartially. In addition to the numerous hours I spend ensuring that occurs in Department 31, I also serve on the statewide Access to Justice Commission, I serve on Legal Aid of Southern Nevada’s Pro Bono Advisory Committee, I am a Trustee of the Law Library and am a member of the Standing Committee on Judicial Ethics. In each of these roles as well as my other legal and community activities, I try and promote justice and access to our courts for everyone.

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

JJK: My family and my friends are part of my village of support.

VLM: What do you do to decompress from the pressures of the bench? Personal Hobbies?

JJK: In addition to spending time with my family and volunteering, I am part of a book club and a mahjong group. I learned to play Pickleball and do yoga.

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

JJK: I enjoy the people. I have friends that I grew up with which makes living and working here enjoyable. At the same time, Las Vegas is such a welcoming community, I continue to make new friends at who are now my friends and continue to become friends with new people I meet in all types of situations.

VLM: Your top three restaurants and bars?

JJK: I enjoy trying new restaurants as well as long time restaurants. I have recently enjoyed meals at Sushi Fever, Anima by Edo, and Golden Steer.