Department L
David S. Gibson
Office - (702) 455-0158
Fax - (702) 382-4239
Law Clerk - (702) 455-0168
Email - deptllc@clarkcountycourts.us
Location - FAMILY Courtroom 09
Family Court House
601 North Pecos RD, Las Vegas, NV. 89155
David S. Gibson, Jr. was appointed to Family Court on Nov. 20, 2018, by former Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval. Prior to his appointment, Gibson worked for six years as a Juvenile Dependency Hearing Master in the Eighth Judicial District Court’s Family Division. Governor Sandoval noted Gibson’s experience in Family Court when announcing Gibson’s appointment. “David has worked with the current sitting district court judges in the Eighth Judicial District, and I am confident that his experience and understanding of family court cases will serve him well in this new role,” said Sandoval. From his appointment until May 2020, Gibson heard an all General Domestic calendar. Due to his experience in several case types, he was then reassigned to a split calendar hearing Juvenile Delinquency and Dependency (abuse and neglect) with long time Judge William Voy. Upon Judge Voy's retirement in May 2022, Judge Gibson's duties were once again reassigned to an exclusively Juvenile Delinquency calendar until Judge Frank Sullivan retired in February, 2023, and Judge Gibson was then reassigned to hear the 4 & Under Juvenile Dependency Calendar. Judge Gibson also hears the Family Treatment Court calendar and the Juvenile Mental Health Petitions.
In January, 2023, Judge Gibson began to serve as presiding judge over the Family Division, and he currently serves on several committees.
Gibson is a graduate of the UNLV Boyd School of Law, and was admitted to the State Bar of Nevada in 2002. Prior to becoming a juvenile dependency hearing master, he worked for several years as a solo practitioner as well as for the firm of Mills & Mills and Rands, South & Gardner. Gibson is a lifelong resident of Henderson, Nevada. He is an Eagle Scout and has held several positions of leadership and service in his Church, including serving a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in Capetown, South Africa, 1993 to 1995. Gibson also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Las Gaviotas Foundation, a non-profit organization providing funding for post elementary education for children in Guatemala, Mexico and Peru. On a personal note, Gibson is a former football player, an avid Rugby fan and currently holds a black belt in Chun Kuk Do Karate and a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He also enjoys tabletop gaming, reading and travel.
Courtroom Protocol
No weapons are allowed. There is no eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in any courtroom.
Proper courtroom attire is required. No shorts or tank tops are allowed in the courtroom, shoes are required. T-shirts, which show offensive slogans or pictures, are not allowed. Hats should be removed before entering the courtroom.
While in the courtroom, sit quietly when court is in session. Do not talk or whisper. The court proceedings are being recorded by a court recorder and noise can interfere with the preparation of this important record.
All beepers, cellular telephones, and electronic devices must be turned off before entering the courtroom. Avoid reading newspapers, or books in the courtrooms, particularly if your use of such material may be a distraction to others.
Attorneys are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards at all times, and to strictly adhere to the opportunities, requirements, limitations, and deadlines set by the judge. All counsel are to be punctual for all conferences, hearings and trials. They are to be civil to one another as well as to all parties, witnesses, and court personnel - whether in front of a jury or the court.
As the Court intends to follow ADKT 0581 and ADKT 0613 with respect to the presumptions about in-person vs. virtual hearings, Department L would like to add some additional clarification with respect to hearings in our courtroom. Department L is asking that our community partners make the requests/file notices for exceptions required under the ADKT as timely as possible. However, as Judge Gibson believes the flexibility of a truly hybrid appearance availability best serves the interest of the parties, the children and the partners, requests will routinely be granted (with a few caveats).The caveats are: in order to appear virtually, you must have adequate operational internet connectivity that allows you to be seen and heard without interruption. Also, the Court will continue to reserve the right to refuse virtual availability to parties or people who prove to be disruptive or unmanageable in their behavior via virtual appearance.