Deborah Schumacher

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Deborah Schumacher, currently a judge on the Washoe County Family Court, was the second highest vote recipient in the primary race for Seat B on the Nevada Supreme Court.[1] Her opponents were Don Chairez, Kris Pickering and Nancy Allf. They were all running to fill the seat vacated by the retirement of William Maupin. Pickering was the overall winner in the August 12 primary. As the candidates with the two highest vote totals, they will face each other in the November general election to determine who win the bench seat.[2],[3],[4]. Schmacher ran unsucessfully against Kris Pickering.

Although campaigns for state Supreme Court justice in Nevada are non-partisan, it is known that Schumacher is affiliated with the Democratic party.[5]

2008 General Election Results

Deborah Schumacher lost in her race for the Nevada Supreme Court to Kris Pickering. Schumacher garnered 39% of the vote, while Pickering earned 42%. A full 19% of the votes were for neither candidate.[6]

See Nevada Supreme Court elections for more details on the Court race.


Education and Experience

Schumacher graduated with a B.A. from Valparaiso University as an Honors College Scholar in 1977, earned her Masters in United States History from The University of Chicago in 1978, and completed her J.D. from the University of Notre Dame in 1983.

Legal Experience

Schumacher was an instructor for the History Department of Valparaiso University from 1978-1980, was an Associate for McCutchen, Doyle, Brown & Enerson in San Francisco, CA from 1983-85, Partner at McDonald, Carano, Wilson, McCune, Frankovich & Hicks from 1985-97, Part-time Court Master for the Family Division, Second Judicial District Court from 1992-97.

Schumacher has been District Court Judge, Department 5, Second Judicial District Court from 1997 through the present.[7]

Deborah Schumacher
Deborah Schumacher


Associations and Awards

In February of 2008, Judge Schumacher received the Sierra Association of Foster Families 2008 Image Award.[8]

Judge Schumacher initiated and currently presides over the District's Juvenile Drug Court, has been on the faculty for continuing education sponsored by the National Judicial College, the National District Atttorney's Association, Nevada Trial Lawyers, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, the State Bar of Nevada, and Northern Nevada Women Lawyer's Association. Judge Schumacher also helps train Court Appointed Special Advocates. Judge Schumacher is a board member of Friends of the Washoe County Library.[9]

Judge Schumacher has participated in numerous efforts to improve the lives of children and families, 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. During 1998-99, she was an ad hoc member of ACR 57, the interim legislative subcommittee which examined juvenile delinquency laws. Judge Schumacher is the "lead judge" of the District's "Model Court" project in the area of improving the handling of foster care cases, under the aegis of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.[10]

Campaign contributions

As of early August 2008, Schumacher's campaign has received $317,740 in cash contributions, including $150,000 of her own funds.[11]

In the 2006 judicial elections, Deborah Schumacher contributed $200 to Nancy Becker's campaign for the Supreme Court.[12]

Campaign for the Supreme Court

Endorses Intermediate Appellate Courts

As a Supreme Court justice [Schumacher] said the most important part of her work would be to look at certain Nevada laws that "are a little thin." To that end, she supports intermediate appellate courts that would - if approved by voters - alleviate some of the more mundane work the very busy current court assumes.[13]

Judicial Performance Report Card

In a "report card" on Nevada judges sent out each year, Schumacher has earned high marks for her intellect and sound judgment, as well as her ability to be fair and impartial; all hallmarks of a good judge, she said.“I try to treat everybody in court fairly,” she said, “and with dignity. A person's experience in court, how they're treated, is just as important as the outcome.”[14]

Schumacher only sitting Judge in Elections

Washoe District Judge Deborah Schumacher is “remarkably, the only sitting judge” in the Nevada Supreme Court race, as she informed the crowd at a Democratic function.[15]

See also

External links

References