Kerri J. Maxey
Nevada 8th Judicial District Court Family Division Department N
Tenure
Term ends
Years in position
Elections and appointments
Personal
Contact
Kerri J. Maxey is a judge for Department N of the Nevada 8th Judicial District Court Family Division. She assumed office on January 6, 2025. Her current term ends on January 4, 2027.
Maxey ran in a special election for the Department N judge of the Nevada 8th Judicial District Court Family Division. She won in the special general election on November 5, 2024.
Maxey completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Kerri J. Maxey was born in Milford, Utah. She earned a high school diploma from Milford High School, a bachelor's degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1998, and a law degree from the William S. Boyd School of Law in 2003. Her career experience includes working as an attorney.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Municipal elections in Clark County, Nevada (2024)
General election
Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Paul M. Gaudet and Kerri J. Maxey advanced from the special primary for Nevada 8th Judicial District Court Family Division Department N.
Endorsements
To view Maxey's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Maxey in this election.
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Kerri J. Maxey completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Maxey's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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For almost twenty years, I have dedicated my practice to representing children. I have represented children in delinquency hearings, dependency hearings, guardianship hearings, and cross-over custody hearings. By focusing my legal career on representing children, I have obtained knowledge on childhood development and brain development. I understand the effects of domestic violence on children, the effects of in utero substance exposure, the effects of peer pressure, and the effects of the internet/social media on children. Representing children has provided me with a deep understanding of family dynamics and the complexities of family law. It has taught me the importance of active listening and thoughtful communication. I have developed the ability to establish and maintain high-level interaction and rapport with clients, my clients’ family members, fellow staff, law firms, opposing counsel, judges, and pertinent agencies. My kind and positive personality enables me to maintain effective and efficient relationships in a conscientious manner. If elected, our community can count on me to bring integrity, dedication, and compassion to families in crisis. I have been a champion for children my whole legal career. As a judge, I will be a champion for the best interests of children and families in Nevada.
- Best Interest of Children: If elected as a District Court Family Judge, protecting the best interest of children will be my priority. I will impartially apply to the law to the facts of the case and ensure that every child's constitutional right and legal interest is upheld. Children are the future of Nevada. I will protect our future by protecting the best interest of our children.
- Best Interest of the Family: A family going through the family court system is a family in crisis. It is imperative to provide that family with a safe and supportive environment where families can be reunified or resolve their disputes peacefully.
- Treating all parties with dignity and respect: The family law legal system is a very contentious which causes trauma for all parties and children. If elected, I will serve with integrity, compassion, and kindness. I will do my best to alleviate the stress of the legal system for a family in crisis.
I am passionate about the eradication of systemic and structural racism embedded in laws, policies, practices, and beliefs. Racial justice makes certain that every individual, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or how they identify, are treated equally and fairly.
I look up to my maternal Aunt. My Aunt instilled in me the need for women to take up leadership positions. Watching her fight against inequality, she taught me the importance of compassion, the importance of having an individual's voice heard, and the importance of fairness.
I would recommend "A Lesson Before Dying" by Ernest J. Gaines
The most important characteristics or principles for an elected official are transparency, integrity, and compassion.
The qualities that I possess that would make me a successful officeholder is that I am authentic, I am humble, and I am kind.
The core responsibility for a District Court Family Judge is to provide a courtroom that is impartial, fair, and dedicated to the rule of law.
The first historical event that happened in my lifetime that I remember was the attempted assignation of President Ronald Regan. I was 5 years old at the time. I remember watching the TV with my parents and their concern for President Regan.
My first job was working as a housekeeper for a railroad lodging. It was a summer job, so I had it for 4 months.
My favorite book is the "Wheel of Time" series by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. I like to escape into a world full of magic and heroes.
Everybody has either been through the family court system or knows a person that has. The family court system effects everybody. A District Court Family Judge will decide the fate of a child and the fate of a family in crisis. This power is insurmountable and must be used with caution, preparedness, and empathy.
Treating all parties with respect and kindness is my legal philosophy. The family court system deals with people at one of the lowest points in their lives. It is important to make sure that all parties have their day in court and that they are treated with dignity.
As a judicial candidate for family court, Judge Frank Sullivan has and will be my Judicial role model. Judge Sullivan was a true champion for Nevada families. His passion and commitment to promote the best interests of children is without equal. Judge Sullivan showed empathy to families in crisis. He created and presided over the specialty court that addressed children in foster care who suffered from significant mental health needs. Judge Sullivan conducted his court with respect and compassion. His dedication to the best interest of children and his empathy towards families in crisis has left a lasting mark on my approach to the law. My commitment to serving as a compassionate, fair, and impartial judge is inspired by Judge Sullivan
Yes, I believe that empathy is a very important quality for a judge. When a person appears before a judge, it is usually one of the most difficult times of their lives. A judge must treat each party with dignity, respect, and professionalism while making a fair and impartial decision.
No, I have never been rated by the Bar Association.
I am running for District Family Court Judge because I will bring a different perspective to the bench. By dedicating my legal practice to representing children, I understand how traumatic it is for children to be in court. Not only is it traumatic for children, it is also traumatic for the adult parties. If elected, I will do my best to alleviate the stress of the legal system for children and families.
No, I do not believe that it is beneficial for a judge to have previous experience in government or politics. The judicial system is built upon the principles of impartiality, fairness, and the rule of law. It is not built upon experience in government or politics.
My primary concern about today's legal system is applying the law impartially and accurately. I believe it is unethical for a judge to do legal gymnastics to reach a decision that does not reflect the facts of the case and the correct rule of law.
The judicial system of the United States is the best in the world. However, it is not perfect. The greatest opportunity for the legal system in Nevada is to increase access to justice. The judicial system should be accessible to all individuals regardless of their economic status. Judicial access can be expanded by promoting programs such as legal aid, self-help recourses, and on-line services. Promoting mediation and arbitration, as alternative dispute resolutions, can provide expedient and unique resolutions without experiencing the stress of judicial litigation. Finally, by embracing modern technology such as virtual court hearings and electronic filing, it would make our judiciary system more efficient and more accessible to our community.
No, I would not be interested in serving on a higher court in the future. My interest is in serving my community as a District Court Family Judge.
It depends on the criteria that the Bar Association uses to rate a judge's ability.
I have been endorsed by Local 226 Culinary Workers Union, Local 165 Bartenders Union, Southern Nevada Central Labor Counsil, Local 1107 SEIU Nevada, Hispanics in Politics, Nevada NOW, National Latino Peace Officers Association, Veterans in Politics, Nevada Democratic Veterans and Military Family, Nevada Veterans Association, Armed Forces Chamber, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 525 Plumbers, Pipefitters & Service Technicians, Local 14 International Brother of Teamsters, Local 631 International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 986 International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and Local 433 Ironworkers.
Financial transparency and government accountability is imperative. Without it, government officials lose the trust of the public.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
External links
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 6, 2024
