Shearing to retire from high court

The first woman elected to Nevada's Supreme Court says she'll retire next year after 12 years on the bench.

Miriam Shearing was also the first woman to serve as chief justice -- holding that position for two years. She will finish her final year in office as chief justice once again.

Before her election to the high court, she was the first woman elected a district judge in Clark County. She served 10 years on the district bench before running for the Supreme Court.

Her first election followed a nasty and negative campaign where she began as the underdog against J. Charles Thompson. After her victory, the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline protested the tone of the campaign, drawing apologies from both Shearing and Thompson.

She was unopposed in her bid for a second term in 1998.

Shearing, 68, said she wants to sit as a senior judge when the high court needs the help because of recusals by sitting members of the court.

She and her husband Steven, who runs a medical business, have a home at Incline Village.

Since Shearing's election, two more women have joined her on the court. Deborah Agosti, currently chief justice, was elected out of Washoe County. Nancy Becker was elected from Clark County. Both were district judges before becoming justices.