Robert D. Harney

Robert D. Harney is an American jurist who served as a justice of the Supreme Court of Nevada from 2009 until his retirement in 2023. Appointed by then-Governor of Nevada Jim Gibbons, he was subsequently elected to full terms in 2010 and 2016. His judicial career was preceded by a lengthy tenure in private practice and service within the Nevada Attorney General's office, where he focused on complex civil litigation and appeals.

Early life and education

Robert D. Harney was born and raised in Nevada, developing an early interest in state history and civic institutions. He pursued his undergraduate education at the University of Nevada, Reno, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then attended the McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific in Sacramento, California, where he received his Juris Doctor. His legal education provided a foundation in constitutional law and appellate procedure, areas that would define his later career.

Legal career

Following his admission to the State Bar of Nevada, Harney began his legal career as a deputy attorney general in the civil division of the Nevada Attorney General's office. In this role, he represented various state agencies and officials in both trial and appellate courts, including appearances before the Supreme Court of Nevada and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He later entered private practice, joining the Las Vegas firm of Jolley Urga Woodbury & Holthus, where he became a partner specializing in commercial litigation, professional liability defense, and appellate advocacy. His practice often involved cases pertaining to the Nevada Gaming Control Board and other regulatory bodies.

Judicial service

In 2009, Governor of Nevada Jim Gibbons appointed Harney to the Supreme Court of Nevada to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice A. William Maupin. He was sworn into office in a ceremony at the Nevada Supreme Court building in Carson City. Harney won election to retain the seat in 2010, defeating challenger Kris Pickering, and was re-elected in 2016. During his tenure, he served as the court's liaison to the Nevada Board of Bar Examiners and the Commission on Statewide Rules of Criminal Procedure. He announced his retirement effective January 2023, and was succeeded by Justice Patricia Lee.

Notable cases and jurisprudence

Justice Harney authored numerous opinions addressing key areas of Nevada law. In *Cortez v. Cortez*, he wrote for the majority on issues of community property and equitable distribution in divorce proceedings. His concurrence in *State v. Eighth Judicial District Court* examined the limits of prosecutorial discretion. He was part of the unanimous court in *Clean Water Coalition v. M Resort*, which interpreted state statutes on public financing for infrastructure projects. In the criminal law realm, his opinion in *Brady v. State* clarified standards for post-conviction relief claims based on new evidence. His jurisprudence frequently engaged with the Nevada Constitution, particularly its provisions concerning water rights and the separation of powers between the Nevada Legislature and the executive branch.

Professional affiliations and honors

Throughout his career, Harney was an active member of the legal community. He served on the board of governors for the State Bar of Nevada and was a member of the American Bar Association and the Howard D. McKibben Chapter of the American Inns of Court. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Nevada Bar Foundation for his pro bono work and his contributions to legal education. He frequently lectured for continuing legal education programs sponsored by the National Judicial College and the Clark County Bar Association. Following his retirement, the law library at the Nevada Supreme Court was named in his honor.

Category:American judges Category:Nevada lawyers Category:Supreme Court of Nevada justices