Silver State Times

The Nevada Supreme Court has gained a new member with Gov. Steve Sisolak's appointment of Patricia Lee, effective immediately.

According to a news bulletin from the Nevada government, Lee is a partner at Hutchison and Steffen, where she has been employed since 2002. She specializes in complex business lawsuits, along with appeal, collections, family and trademark law. As partner of the law firm she leads its pro-bono initiative, trains associates and is in charge of the summer internship program. She also represents free-of-charge clients via the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada.

"I am proud and honored to appoint Patricia to serve on the Nevada Supreme Court," Sisolak said in the release. "The breadth and depth of her skillset and her personal and professional experience make her an incredible addition to the state’s highest court."

The other candidates recommended for this post were Honorable Scott Freeman and Honorable Tierra Jones, all of a high caliber that made selection a challenge, the governor said. The three candidates came from the Nevada Commission on Judicial Selection, a body established under the state's constitution.

"I want to thank the Nevada Commission on Judicial Selection for their work to bring forward three incredible applicants to my office – this was a very difficult decision," he said.

 Lee is the first Asian woman and the first African American woman to serve on the state's highest court. She replaces Justice Abbi Silver, who left the court on Sept. 29 after serving for almost four years. She will now finish the tenure for Seat F, which ends on Jan. 6, 2025.

Her education includes a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California and a law degree from the George Washington University Law School in 2002. The following year she was admitted to the Nevada bar. 

Lee has been married to her husband, Ronnie Lee, since 2006, and they have two children.