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Judge Deborah Schumacher Interview

Judge Schumacher has a distinguished eleven year judicial career. She is the only judge running for the Nevada Supreme Court in her race. Judge Schumacher was a business and litigation partner with the prominent Nevada firm of McDonald Carano Wilson, LLP. Judge Schumacher is well-respected by her peers and her excellent judicial performance and integrity are a matter of public record.

Judge Schumacher became a juvenile judge because of her commitment to Nevada’s children and families. Her efforts to improve the their lives have including the Nevada Children’s Justice Task Force, the task force on the Professionalization of Foster Care in Nevada, and the Statewide Adoption Advisory Committee.

Judge Schumacher has been been a leader among judges. In 2000, she joined the faculty of the National Judicial College. In 2006, she was elected President of the Nevada District Judges Association by her fellow judges.

Judge Schumacher and her husband Kirk have been married for 25 years and have three children. Her community commitments have included public libraries, women’s athletics, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), the International Folkloric Ballet, and the Adoptive Family Network. In 2007, she provided testimony to the Nevada Legislature on her experiences as a parent of an autistic child.

Why is your judicial experience as a family court judge important?

The Nevada Supreme Court is the court of final appeal for all Nevada cases. The highest court should have Justices with experience in every area of Nevada law, including matters concerning elders, juvenile delinquents, kids in foster care, domestic violence, termination of parental rights, paternity, and divorce. I have expertise in these areas. No current Supreme Court Justice was a Juvenile and Family Court Judge. When the Nevada Supreme Court decides one of these cases–such as last year’s case modifying when parent can change a child custody order–these decisions impact many Nevadans in a highly personal and important way. My background would complement the current Supreme Court. My opponent is a skilled lawyer, but has never been a judge and has no expertise in juvenile or family law.

In addition, every District Court Judge’s responsibility includes sitting as a appellate judge in review of matters from lower level judges. I have heard hundreds of appeals of Court Masters’ decisions, using the same standard of review as the Supreme Court uses. It has helped to prepare me for the Supreme Court position I’m seeking.

In addition, my experience as a District Court Judge for 11 years is important. Every current Justice had a successful career as a District Court Judge before becoming a Supreme Court Justice. The best lawyers are frequently strong advocates. As the National Judicial College teaches, it takes an individual several years to make the change from being a partisan advocate for one side to being the neutral decision-maker. This is an important reason why an experienced judge should be chosen for our State’s highest Court.

Finally, I have a public record as a basis of my request for Nevadans’ vote. We need many things in a good judge, but none more important than solid judgment. I don’t have to tell you why I would/could/should be a successful judge if you elect me–I am a successful judge and I’m asking you to promote me to the next level of the judiciary.

How much time do you have?

Not enough! I handle more than 2000 cases per year, and am the Mother of three, one of whom is still at home. I was raised by a stay at home Mom, and I love some of the rhythms of my childhood, especially home cooked dinners and annual holiday events. (We have a great annual gingerbread house night in our family, for instance, and I am nut about Halloween.) I have always worked hard to parent well. I wish there were more hours (even minutes) in the day.

Besides being a family court judge what other experience do you have in law?

Prior to becoming a judge in 1997, I was a partner at the McDonald Carano Wilson law firm, in the Reno office. I came to Reno from an association with a major San Francisco firm, Burnham McCutchen. In both firms, I practiced in the area complex commercial transactions and litigation, bankruptcy, business and general civil litigation, including products liability. I have extensive civil litigation experience, which the Nevada Supreme Court recognized when it appointed me to the statewide commission that proposed revisions to the Nevada Rules of Civil Procedure. I have been on the State Bar’s Business and Family Law Executive Committees. My law clients were diverse: from individuals to small businesses to commercial lenders. My representation of the Farm Credit System took me into rural Nevada and gave me a better understanding of our State. While still a McDonald Carano partner, I also worked part-time as a “Court Master”, which is a limited jurisdiction judicial officer.

My first law related job was with the Constitutional Studies Center at the University of Notre Dame. I worked on a brief to the U. S. Supreme Court that the Center was preparing in First Amendment (freedom of religion) case. My first summer job during law school was with a Bay Area firm that specialized in maritime law. Not much application in Nevada!

I frequently teach lawyers and judges. I have been on the faculty of the National Judicial College since 2000. In 2006, I was awarded Nevada’s Basic Certificate of Judicial Education, which signifies that I have taken 240 hours of continuing judicial education.

In 2005-06, I was President of the Nevada District Judges Association. My duties included representing the interests of the State’s trial judges during the last legislative session. During my tenure, I had the opportunity to learn about the circumstances and needs of District Courts across Nevada.

Before attending law school, I studied and taught U.S. History, and legal history in particular. While studying law and society, I realized I wanted an active role, not just a scholar’s role, and thought even then I wanted ultimately to become a judge.

What are the different levels of the judicial system and and how do they work together?

Justice Courts and Municipal Courts are courts of limited jurisdiction that preside over misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic cases, disputes in which less than $10,000 is at issue and preliminary matters in gross misdemeanor and felony cases. These judges’ decisions are appealed to the District Court. District Court Judges preside over felony and gross misdemeanor criminal cases, juvenile crimes, civil matters over $10,000, family law cases and child abuse and neglect cases. District Courts also have court masters, whose recommendations are reviewed by the District Court Judges. District Judges’ decisions are appealed to the Nevada Supreme Court. In addition to deciding all appeals, the Supreme Court supervised the entire judicial system in Nevada.

What levels have you served on and how has this helped you?

I have served as a Court Master and a District Court Judge. This service spans 15 years and has allowed me to develop and demonstrate judicial skills and a judicial temperament. It has also allowed me to work in court administration in a variety of ways, which is important because of the Supreme Court’s responsibility for the entire justice system. For example, the Supreme Court tasked me to assist in creating a bench book for judges handling child abuse and neglect cases. (A “bench book” is a judicial education tool judges use on the job.) I served for years on the Federal-State Judicial Council, which exchanges information between our state and federal judiciaries. The Supreme Court also appointed me to the Commission that recommended changes to lawyer ethics rules and to the Commission that revised the Nevada Rules of Civil Procedure. These are just examples of my work in court administration.

What is the purpose of the Supreme Court and what impact does it have on the individual?

The Supreme Court has the final word on all matters of Nevada law. Its decisions affect every Nevada citizen and business. For example, it recently upheld the constitutionality of the term limit initiative passed by voters and decided which candidates will appear on our election ballots in November. Just to mention a minute selections of the topics its decisions have covered: the validity of prevailing wage laws, child custody standards, automobile search and seizure standards and residency requirements for office holders. No Nevadan is untouched by its decisions.

Why did you decided to pursue an election to the Supreme Court?

Although I’ve been told I need a snappier answer, the truth is this: I would love to do the primary work that the Supreme Court does and I think I have the skills and experience to do it well, for the benefit of our citizens. Although the Nevada Supreme Court has a number of responsibilities, its core job is the tell us what Nevada law is. In my current job, with responsibility for thousands of cases every year, everything has to move through pretty fast. I would really enjoy the challenge of working through complex legal issues and writing clear opinions. My graduate school education in history included teaching writing to college freshman. I am confident that I have the analytical and writing skills to do the job of a Supreme Court Justice.

As I already mentioned, there is no current Justice who was a Juvenile and Family Court Judge. I could add that expertise to the benefit of the current Court. Also, the Supreme Court’s administrative responsibilities include something called the Court Improvement Project. That project focuses on the improvement of court handling of the cases of kids in foster care. These kids are among our most vulnerable citizens and they deserve our best efforts. I am the “Lead Judge” in Washoe County in a nationwide Model Court Project that is dedicated to improving the handling of foster care cases and I would like to use that knowledge for the benefit of the whole State.

How has being a district court judge affected your every day life?

It has been a privilege to be entrusted with this level of responsibility for the well-being of our citizens and I am aware of that every day. All judges are somewhat isolated by the nature of the office, but I am lucky to have several good friends who are also judges, which helps minimize the impact of isolation. It has given me the opportunity to make positive changes in the court system, especially with respect to how foster kids’ cases are handled, and that is very gratifying.

How important is it that every person young and old comes out and votes in the election?

Voting is a precious civil right of U.S. citizens, which African Americans, Native Americans, women and other citizens fought hard to win. We are less of a democracy if large numbers don’t participate. Millions of people in other countries have no say in who governs them, and they sometimes risk their lives to vote. How can we take voting for granted?

In addition, your vote really does count. In the 2000 presidential race, Al Gore won the popular vote by less than 1 percent even though George W. Bush won the electoral vote by less than 1 percent and therefore became President. Small numbers of additional voters going to the polls could have changed the outcome. This year’s presidential election also looks to be very, very close. Government affects our everyday lives in big ways. So, have your say in how it comes out.
What should someone look for in a judicial candidate?

A judicial candidate should have high ethical standards and unquestioned integrity, excellent legal knowledge and interpretation skills, the ability to write well, relevant professional experience, a good work ethic, and a judicial temperament, which includes open-mindedness, decisiveness, compassion and common sense. It is important that the candidate lack a personal agenda to be imposed via the court.

What are some important issues for young people to become educated on?

There are many, but among them: how our government works at the local, state and national levels, environmental challenges, health care and health insurance (including our responsibility for keeping ourselves healthy), the economy, national defense, immigration reform, the quality of children’s education, and a huge number of social issues, such as hunger and homelessness.

What is an Intermediate Appellate Court? Should one be brought to Nevada?

Nevada needs an Intermediate Appellate Court, but the barrier is cost during tight economic times. The Nevada Supreme Court is carrying several times the recommended case load for a state’s highest court, which means that it can spend less time than might be best on some of the most difficult cases. At present, the Nevada Supreme Court is our only appeals court beyond the trial level. That means they hear every case–trivial or vitally important–from prisoners complaining about peanut butter to death penalty cases. An Intermediate Court of Appeals could handle some of these cases, so that the Nevada Supreme Court could focus on its most important job: being the final arbiter of Nevada law.

What is your educational background?

BA, History & Political Science, Valparaiso University
MA, U. S. History, University of Chicago
Doctoral Candidate (U. S. History) and Law Degree, University of Notre Dame

User Generated Questions

What are some of your favorite local events? (Hot August Nights, Street Vibrations, Hot Air Balloon Races)

I love barbecue, so the rib cook-off is at the top of my list. And even though my kids are big now, we still do Dawn Patrol at the Balloon Races every year. Pops on the River at Art Town is great. (This year I and campaign volunteers dressed as English Judges–wigs and all–and won Most Outrageous Table.) I also love near-by events, like the 4th of July fireworks at Donner Lake and apple picking at Apple Hill.

Do you wear a Helmet when you ride your bike? Yes

What do you wear under the robe? Ordinary clothes, except when the air conditioning isn’t working.

Do you hoola hoop? Not in at least 10 years, when my kids had them. My Dad tells a great story about hoola hoops. Before he retired, he ran a small business that sold building materials, including plastic pipe. He says that at the height of the initial hoola hoop craze, there was a shortage of plastic water pipe for home construction because manufacturers had re-tooled to make more profitable hoola hoops.

What do you think of the TV series Reno 911? I’ve never seen it, but my daughter assures me it’s ridiculous.