Thomas Christensen
From Judgepedia
Thomas Christensen is a 2008 candidate for the Nevada Supreme Court. He is running against sitting Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Gibbons.
Thomas Christensen was born in San Antonio, Texas, February 10, 1956. He was married August 17, 1978 to Kathryn Stewart, together, they have seven children.[1]
Christensen attended Brigham Young University where he obtained his B.S. in Mathematics in 1979. He then attended the J. Reuben Clark School of Law at Brigham Young University where he received his J.D. (in 1981). He was admitted to State Bar of Nevada in 1981.[2]
Christensen is admitted to practice in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court, District of Nevada and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. He has obtained a Martindale-Hubbell “A-V Rating".
Campaign themes
Christensen says that his run for Nevada's highest court was inspired by the court's decision in Guinn v. Legislature, a 2003 decision in which the court overruled a requirement that tax increases pass the legislature with a 2/3 majority. In its controversial decision, the court allowed what critics call an unapproved $800 million tax increase for school funding.
The court should decide cases "based on the Constitution, statute and precedent", not based on a political agenda, Christensen has said.
Christensen also says:
- "Decisions shouldn't be made based on whether justices agree with the law, but based on what the law is."
- He is concerned with the Supreme Court's "willingness to render unpublished opinions. Our Supreme Court overuses them and uses them in the wrong circumstances."
- When judges deviate from precedent, the Constitution and state statute it can result in "muddy judicial thinking, improper decisions and, even worse, preferential treatment to certain litigants."
- "It's something that the Supreme Court has to be the leader on and be extra careful and not get close to that questionable area. It's too easy to hurt the public trust."[3]
Awards and Associations
- Certified Civil Law Advocate
- Nevada State Bar Association
- Nevada Trial Lawyers Association (Board of Governors, 1991-Present)
- The Association of Trial Lawyers of America; National Board of Trial Advocacy
- American Association for Justice, Member 1982 - Present
- National Board of Trial Advocacy, Member
- Nevada District Court, Arbitrator 1992 - Present
- Nevada Supreme Court Appeal Settlement Conference Program, Arbitrator[4]
