Vote for Shell Mercer for District Court Judge, Family Division Dept. Z

Serving Clark County with Integrity & Honor

 

Why Vote For Shell?

I Am the Most Qualified Candidate in my Race.

I am uniquely qualified to serve the community as a Family Court Judge for many reasons. I am the only candidate in my race with actual experience as a judge. I have presided over more than 4000 family court hearings in the areas of:

a. Juvenile Delinquency;
b. Juvenile Dependency;
c. Domestic Violence;
d. Child Support;
e. Drug Court;
f.  Minor Guardianships;
g. Civil Commitments;
h. Discovery; and
i.  Delinquency Diversion.

I have been practicing law in Nevada for 22 years, primarily in family law. I’ve had my own law firm for 11 years and I’ve represented clients in all areas of family law, including:

a. Divorce;
b. Child Custody;
c. Child Support;
d. Spousal Support;
e. Property Division; and
f.  Adoption, etc.

The Governor of Nevada appointed me to serve for TWO TERMS as a consumer-member of the Chiropractic Physicians’ Board of Nevada and because of my extensive experience as a judge, the President of the Board appointed me to chair and preside over numerous administrative disciplinary hearings of chiropractors. In 2014, the Clark County Commissioners appointed me to serve as a Fair Hearing Master for the Department of Family Services. I’ve served as a Judge in the Truancy Diversion Program in the public schools, including high school and middle school. I’ve worked as: a. an instructor for the UNLV continuing education paralegal certification program and b. an adjunct instructor for Clark County Community College.  I’ve been recognized on the Pro Bono Honor Roll for my volunteer work including: a. Children’s Attorney’s Project (CAP Counsel); b. Ask-A-Lawyer Program; c. UNLV Law Student Mentor; d. TIP mentor for brand new lawyers who just passed the bar exam.

We Won the Primary Election and Have Received Multiple Campaign Endorsements.

We won the Primary Election by a wide margin, having received greater than 40% of the votes — almost double the number of votes as our opponent in a four-candidate race. We are honored to have been endorsed by the following:

  • The Public Safety Alliance of Nevada, representing nearly 100 law enforcement organizations and nearly 10,000 officers throughout Nevada;
  • The Las Vegas Review Journal;
  • Southern Nevada Central Labor Council AFL-CIO;
  • International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 720;
  • Southern Nevada Building Trades Unions; and
  • Nevada Collectors Association.
My extensive experience, both personally and professionally, along with my personality, education, work ethic and skills all combine to make me the MOST EXPERIENCED, MOST QUALIFIED AND BEST CHOICE for Family Court Judge, Dept. Z.

 

Why Do I Want to Be a Family Court Judge?

The Family Court is the most personal of all of our courts. The courts exist to serve people. The courtroom and the robe belong to the taxpayers. As a judge, I am a public servant, not the other way around. I’m there on the bench to serve you. I’m applying for the job because I want to work for you. I’m passionate about serving people – especially children and families. Decisions being made by a Family Court Judge matter and that’s why I’m doing this. My decisions will determine where a child will grow up and who will be the most influential in their lives. How we raise our children affects all of us. Therefore, it’s essential to have a judge who cares about the people and the community. And I care very much. I’ve seen so many people fall through the cracks of our legal system, especially in Family Court. I know our current Family Court judges are doing their best but I know myself better than anyone and I can and WILL make a POSITIVE DIFFERENCE on the Family Court bench.

I Was Made to Be a Family Court Judge.

People ask me how can I stand practicing family law because it is high conflict and drama. Notwithstanding that people are likely experiencing the worst time of their lives when litigating in the Family Court, I care very much about people. I want to help them get through the process as quickly and painlessly as possible so they can get beyond their family dispute and move on with their lives. I have much to offer in that respect as a judge. Moreover, diffusing and resolving conflict is where I truly shine. I fully comprehend that the consequences of my decisions as a judge do not stop at the exit of the courthouse – there’s a ripple effect that impacts the extended family and the community. So I’d better get it right – or at the very least, do everything within MY power to get it right. I have a good judicial demeanor, I’m fair and impartial. Plus, I have an intangible quality that can’t be learned by studying the law – I have high moral integrity – I do the right thing, even when no one is looking. A good judge knows the law but is also willing and eager to learn more. I have a teachable spirit.

My Personal Experiences Qualify Me to Be a Good Family Court Judge.

I’ve been married for 23 years to a recently retired Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Officer. We’ve raised two amazing kids who attended public school in the Clark County School District. Both of our children are adults now and are currently in college. My experience as a wife and mother has helped me to sharpen my skills as a good listener, communicator, arbiter and mediator. Plus, I have a keen sense of family dynamics and I am cognizant that how we interact with our immediate family impacts our relationships outside of our homes.

Shell is Endorsed By …

  • SOUTHERN NEVADA CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL AFL-CIO
  • INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE OF THEATRICAL STAGE EMPLOYEES (IATSE)
  • SOUTHERN NEVADA BUILDING TRADES UNIONS
  • LAS VEGAS PEACE OFFICER SUPERVISOR ASSOCIATION
  • LAS VEGAS PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
  • LAS VEGAS POLICE PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION
  • NORTH LAS VEGAS POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
  • PEACE OFFICERS RESEARCH ASSOCIATION OF NEVADA
  • RENO POLICE PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION
  • WASHOE COUNTY SHERIFF DEPUTIES ASSOCIATION
  • LAS VEGAS POLICE MANAGERS & SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION
  • POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
  • Clark County Deputy Marshall’s Association
  • INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF THE TEAMSTERS
  • Teamsters Local 986
  • Asian American Group
  • SMART, Sheet Metal Worker’s International Association, Local 88
  • Citizens for a Responsible Government
  • International Association of Firefighters