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In the recent election, 22 new judges were elected to serve in the Nevada Eighth Judicial District Court. The first of several specially coordinated investitures is scheduled for February 5 at 3 p.m. The investitures for Judge Soonhee u2018Sunny’ Bailey, Department I; Judge Dedree u2018Dee’ Butler, Department J and Judge Michele u2018Shell’ Mercer, Department Z. will be live-streamed at https://www.facebook.com/clarkcountycourts. Investitures are formal ceremonies with significant symbolism, as new judges publicly swear an oath to uphold justice prior to being ceremonially robed. The ceremonies are usually done before a big gathering of family, friends and supporters. This year, the investitures will include coronavirus safety measures with just a few observers to reduce the potential for spread of the coronavirus.
“The District Court bench is welcoming 22 new judges during a time of unprecedented challenges due to the coronavirus. The investitures celebrate the arrival of the biggest and most diverse group of new judges to join the court at one time,” said District Court Chief Judge Linda Marie Bell. Judges Bailey, Butler and Mercer each bring unique experience to the Family Division that will be an asset as they work to address the mounting caseload our court faces.”
Prior to her election to department I, Soonhee “Sunny” Bailey served as a delinquency court hearing master where she started the Detention Alternative for Autistic Youth (D.A.A.Y. Court), a diversion court aimed to address the issues of youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She also served the Department of Business and Industry as the acting labor commissioner for the Office of the Labor Commissioner and as a hearing officer for the Nevada Taxicab Authority; the city of Las Vegas Municipal Court as an alternate judge; the Las Vegas Justice Court as a judge pro tempore; the Clark County Public Defender’s Office as a deputy public defender and worked in private practice at the Olson, Cannon, Gormley, Angulo and Stoberski law firm. She is also the co-author of the Courtroom Handbook on Nevada Evidence, which is currently in its 14th year of publication She received her undergraduate degree from University of Washington and her juris doctorate from Seattle University School of Law.
Prior to her election to department J of the Family Division, Dedree u2018Dee’ Butler, started her legal career as a law clerk and then an associate attorney at Schuetze & McGaha law firm where she primarily practiced family law and insurance defense. After participating in the UNLV Boyd Juvenile Justice clinic, she worked as a deputy public defender in the juvenile delinquency division of family court, representing children. She then served as a track attorney in the adult division of the public defender’s office. She served as the team chief of the domestic violence unit for about four years, with a total of over 10 years employed by Clark County. She received her undergraduate degree from Howard University and her juris doctorate from the University of Nevada William S. Boyd School of Law.
Prior to her election to department Z of the Family Division, Michele u2018Shell’ Mercer served as a pro-tem hearing master for the District Court and a hearing master for the Department of Family Services. She served as a consumer member of the Chiropractic Physicians’ Board of Nevada and volunteered to help community youth as a truancy diversion judge. She has been an instructor for the UNLV paralegal program and for the community college. She has also been recognized on the Pro Bono Honor Roll for her volunteer work. She has been in private practice, primarily in family law, for over 22 years. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her juris doctorate from St. Mary’s University School of Law.
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