Rawlinson formally sworn in as appellate judge

LAS VEGAS - Members of the legal community celebrated a historic event when Johnnie Rawlinson was formally sworn in as the newest member of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Almost 2 years ago, Rawlinson was sworn in during a similar ceremony as Nevada's newest U.S. district judge.

She was the first black woman in the state's history to hold that position, and she is now the first black woman to sit on the 9th Circuit.

''There's only one other job she can aspire to - the United States Supreme Court,'' U.S. District Judge Martin Jenkins of California said during Friday's ceremony, drawing loud applause.

After recommending Rawlinson last year for the 9th Circuit position, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he wouldn't be surprised to see her sitting on the country's highest court someday.

Reid also recommended Rawlinson for her first judgeship. As the senior Democrat in Nevada's congressional delegation, Reid has the privilege of recommending federal judicial candidates while a Democrat occupies the White House.

The senator was working in Washington, D.C., on Friday and could not attend the ceremony, which drew hundreds of Rawlinson's friends, relatives and colleagues to the Artemus Ham Concert Hall at UNLV.

During the ceremony, Jenkins praised Rawlinson for ''her willingness to share her knowledge and talents with others.''

Senior U.S. District Judge Lloyd George of Nevada, whose decisions Rawlinson is now in a position to review, described her as an intelligent woman with a ''high level of humility.''

Although the 9th Circuit is based in San Francisco, Rawlinson will maintain her chambers in Las Vegas. She began work as a circuit judge in July.

Before becoming a judge, Rawlinson, 47, spent 18 years with the office of the district attorney.