Conte Vs. Dist. Ct. (Conte)
Conte Vs. Dist. Ct. (Conte)
Opinion
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEVADA
WAYNE D. CONTE, No. 83758 Petitioner, vs. THE EIGHTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, FILE IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF CLARK; AND THE HONORABLE DEC 1 7 2021 MARY D. PERRY, DISTRICT JUDGE, ELIZABETH A. BP.OWN Respondents, CLERK OF SUPREME COURT
and BY 6 .`ir DEPUTY CLERK JESUSA E. CONTE, Real Party in Interest.
ORDER DENYING PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS AND PROHIBITION
This emergency, pro se, original petition for a writ of mandamus and prohibition seeks to disqualify the respondent judge based on her past association with opposing counsel's law firm. Having considered the petition and supporting documentation, we are not convinced that our extraordinary and discretionary intervention is warranted. See Pan v. Eighth Judicial Dist. Court, 120 Nev. 222, 228, 88 P.3d 840, 844 (2004) (observing that the party seeking writ relief bears the burden of showing such relief is warranted); Srnith v. Eighth Judicial Dist. Court, 107 Nev. 674, 677, 818 P.2d 849, 851 (1991) (recognizing that writ relief is an extraordinary remedy and that this court has sole discretion in determining whether to entertain a writ petition). It does not appear that petitioner filed a motion to disqualify in the district court. See Round Hill Gen. Imp. Dist. v. Newman, 97 Nev. 601, 604, 637 P.2d 534, 536 (1981) SUPREME COURT CWhen disputed factual issues are critical in demonstrating the propriety OF NEVADA
tO1 I947A • of a writ of mandamus, the writ should be sought in the district court, with appeal from an adverse judgment to this court."). Moreover, a judge's past association with an opposing party's counsel's law firm, without more, is not
grounds for disqualification. See generally NRS 1.230; NCJC Rule 2.11; Ainsworth v. Combined Ins. Co. of Arn., 105 Nev. 237, 262, 774 P.2d 1003, 1021 (1989), abrogated on other grounds by Powers v. United Servs. Auto. Ass'n, 114 Nev. 690, 962 P.2d 596 (1998); Anne M. Payne, Annotation, Judge's Previous Legal Association with Attorney Connected to Current Case as Warranting Disqualification, 85 A.L.R.4th 700 (1991). Accordingly, we ORDER the petition DENIED.
, C.J. Hardesty
c:254')A‘ljaiS"'J.. Parraguirre
Stiglich
cc: Hon. Mary D. Perry, District Judge, Family Court Division Wayne D. Conte Willick Law Group Eighth District Court Clerk
SUPREME COURT OF NEVADA
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Reference
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