Retired Nevada Supreme Court justice appointed to Gaming Commission

Retired Nevada Supreme Court Justice Abbi Silver has been appointed to the Nevada Gaming Commission.

She will replace Commissioner Ogonna Brown, who announced at Thursday’s commission meeting that she declined reappointment to a new four-year term and is stepping away from the state’s top gaming regulatory body when her term expires later this month.

“Justice Silver is one of Nevada’s brightest visionaries and trailblazers, and I’m confident that she will greatly enhance the work of the commission in her new role,” Gov. Joe Lombardo said in an emailed statement.

Silver served on the Nevada Supreme Court for nearly four years and remains the only judge in state history to have been elected to every court in Nevada’s court system. She was first elected to the Las Vegas Municipal Court in 2003 and then later to the Las Vegas Justice Court. Silver was next elected as a district court judge in the Eighth Judicial District Court, before she was appointed by Gov. Brian Sandoval to serve on the Inaugural Court of Appeals. After winning election to the Nevada Court of Appeals, she was sworn in as its first female chief judge. Silver was elected to the Nevada Supreme Court in 2018, and then served as the chief justice for the Northern Nevada Panel of the Supreme Court.

“I’m honored to be appointed to the Nevada Gaming Commission,” Silver said in an emailed statement. “I’m grateful to Gov. Lombardo for entrusting me with this dynamic role, and I look forward to serving our state.”

Brown was appointed to the commission by Gov. Steve Sisolak in July 2020 and is a partner with the Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie law firm in Las Vegas.

At the conclusion of Thursday’s commission meeting, Brown said she was offered a new term by Lombardo, but declined citing a heavier work load at her law firm.

“For me personally and on behalf of the 400 employees and agents of the Gaming Control Board, I just want to commend you for all your service to this state and thank you for it,” Control Board Chairman Kirk Hendrick said before the meeting adjourned. “It’s been a pleasure for all of us and we wish you the best.”

Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on X.