Kris Pickering

Pickering was born in San Francisco, California. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Yale University in 1974 and a J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law in 1977. After graduation, Pickering clerked for U.S. District Judge Bruce R. Thompson. Before her election to the Nevada Supreme Court, Pickering was a private attorney. She was elected to the Nevada Supreme Court in 2008. Pickering served as chief justice of the court in 2013 and 2020.[1][5][6][7]

As of July 2021, Pickering was a member of the American Law Institute and served as co-chair of the Nevada Access to Justice Commission.[1][8]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am the Chief Justice of the Nevada Supreme Court and am running for reelection. Since I joined the court in 2009, I have participated in the decision of 1000's of cases; authored opinions on criminal law, civil law, water law, family law, constitutional law, and administrative law; served on the Nevada Pardons Board; co-chaired the committee tasked with updating the NRCP; and helped lead the effort that led to the creation of the Nevada Court of Appeals. I am deeply committed to access to justice - I founded the Nevada Appellate Pro Bono program in 2013 and currently co-chair the Nevada Access to Justice Commission.

Nevada is my home. I grew up in northern Nevada, graduating from Reno High School. From there I went on to Yale University (BA) and law school at Georgetown University and UC Davis King Hall School of Law (JD). I returned home to Nevada and tried cases and argued appeals in Nevada's state and federal courts until I joined the Nevada Supreme Court.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

My 10 years service as a Nevada Supreme Court Justice gives me the experience required to do the job.I follow the law and apply it fairly and impartially.As Chief Justice, I am working with fellow members of the Nevada Judiciary to lead our courts through the COVID-19 crisis.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Access to Justice

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

This is not a matter of political philosophy so much as a matter of access to justice. I believe deeply in the fairness of our system of justice. At the same time, we must recognize that no system is perfect 100% of the time and we must be vigilant and open to correcting mistakes when they a occur. A book that I recommend on that point is Bryan Stephenson, Just Mercy.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The Nevada Supreme Court hears and decides appeals involving every area of law that touches the lives of Nevadans - criminal, civil, family, employment, administrative, constitutional, environmental and water law. The appellate issues are processed through the evidentiary and procedural rules that control jury and bench trials and motion practice in district court. A justice's core responsibility is to know and apply the law competently and fairly.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Working for my dad, who was a pediatrician in northern Nevada who also traveled to rural areas to provide care to critically ill children.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

As a Justice on the Nevada Supreme Court, I am a member of the Nevada Pardons Board, with the Governor and Attorney General. These proceedings are a matter of grace, not entitlement, and require an understanding of Nevada's criminal, sentencing, and parole and probation laws and the ability to assess the competing interests of the defendant, the victim, the victim's family, the prison system, and society as a whole.

Is there a particular judge, past or present, whom you admire?

There are many - Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, across the board; Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes for his decisions on the First Amendment; Justice Robert Jackson for his clear thinking and the ability he had to express his thoughts in writing; Justice Richard Posner for his brilliance; and Justice Thurgood Marshall.

Have you ever been rated by a Bar Association? If so, what was the rating?

In 2018 I received an 83.9% retention rating from the Washoe County Bar Association.

In 2019 I received a 75% retention rating from the lawyers surveyed in the Las Vegas Review Journal's Judging the Judges Survey. I also receive a 4.1/5 substantive law rating.