Judge Cherry announces run for Supreme Court

Clark County District Judge Michael Cherry announced on Monday he will run for a seat on the Nevada Supreme Court.

Cherry, 61, said he will seek Seat C, which is being vacated by Justice Bob Rose, who is retiring at the end of his term in 2006.

Cherry said he brings "a wealth of experience in civil and criminal cases and construction defects."

"I have practiced law in Nevada courtrooms for more than three decades and my experience as a judge and trial attorney has prepared me for a seat on our state's highest court," he said.

Cherry was elected to district court in Las Vegas in 1998 and re-elected in 2002. He was licensed to practice law in Nevada in 1970, beginning his career as a public defender. He entered private practice in 1977.

He was named a special master in the early 1980s to oversee litigation stemming from the MGM Grand and Hilton Hotel fires in Las Vegas, working with hundreds of lawyers representing the resorts, victims, insurance companies, construction firms and others.

Cherry also served as a justice of the peace pro tem and as an alternate municipal judge in Henderson and Las Vegas.

He returned to public service in 1997 as head of the newly created Special Public Defender's Office in Clark County, then was elected district judge the following year.

He said he expects the race will cost about $500,000 but that he has a head start because he has about $100,000 left from his last campaign.

Cherry said he intends to move to Northern Nevada if elected.

Rose has been a member of the court since 1988. He has announced plans to retire at the end of this term.

n Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.