Meet Mathew Harter

     My respect for the legal system began at an early age. As a child, I watched my father start a law practice in our community which has grown and developed into what is today a successful practice, benchmarked by a reputation of character and integrity. At the age of twelve, I started working as my father's runner after school and loved to pass time in the courtroom watching various legal proceedings. This began the development of my strong work ethic as I continued to always work while attending school.

     While attending law school, I used my strong work ethic by collecting and applying as many practical experiences along the way as I could. My studies in Constitutional Law helped me realize that I too wanted to someday serve in a judicial capacity. Along with selecting the more challenging courses, I served on law review, the national moot team and participated in many extracurricular activities. I served four semesters on the Scholastic Review Board which consisted of a few select students chosen to review the student body's grade appeals before being presented to the professors for reconsideration. I served at two clinics. I began my early development of the attorney/client relationship at the Sixty Plus Elderlaw Clinic where I represented clients in matters such as wills, guardianships and landlord/tenant issues. I grew to appreciate the indigent and elderly and I learned patience for difficult clients.

     After graduation, I was given the opportunity to serve as a law clerk to the Honorable Gerald W. Hardcastle, a Family Court judge. My service allowed me to observe first hand how he constantly strived to follow the law, abide by judicial ethics and improve the court system. It was under his supervision that I learned the many intricacies of family law practice. Through my clerkship, I was given an overall view of the structure and administration of the court system, including first hand observations of the day to day functions of the judiciary. I also learned from the other judges attributes that I aspired to have and attributes I wished to avoid.

     After my clerkship, I chose to become a solo practitioner. Even though starting any new business is terrifying, I believed I would be successful given my experiences, my business management training and an experienced father to mentor from. I tried early on to limit my practice to family law, criminal law and personal injury matters. Shortly after I began my practice, I was given the opportunity to sub-contract with the Public Defender's Office whereby I continue to date to represent their office at mental commitment court and parole revocation hearings. I knew very little of mental illness when I began. Acting as counsel and advocate to these patients requires a great deal of patience and professionalism. I have great sympathy for the mentally ill and have come to truly appreciate the trials and tribulations that they and their families face daily.

     As a family law practitioner, I have had the opportunity to become involved with families on a much more personal level. My practice has been tapered toward lower income clients. I have come to truly realize the difficult positions of grandparents, parents and children who are forced into the legal arena to solve their most personal problems. Sensitivity and care are crucial in seeking solutions to these problems. I have prided my self on attempting to expeditiously bring amicable resolutions to these matters, despite the fact this means less in attorney's fees.  Likewise, I have always attempted resolve matters in my personal injury practice via arbitration, mediation and settlement conferences, unlike some of my colleagues who seem to perpetuate the problems rather that solve them.

     As a criminal law practitioner, most of my experience has been at the back end of the system-the parole revocation hearings. I have represented literally thousands of parolees at these hearings, including many originally charged with capital crimes. In these hearings, the parole board replaces the judge and the rules of evidence are quite relaxed. This has proved to be both frustrating and challenging at times. Although I personally have little tolerance for those who cannot maintain parole status, I have always exercised my professionalism and represented all of these parolees to the best of my ability. Once released, many of these parolees or their family members have called my office to represent them in other legal matters.

     In sum, the reason I am the best candidate for Family Court Department N is my extensive education and wide range of personal experience in the legal arena. I have a strong work ethic and great sense of professionalism. I have tremendous respect for the judiciary process and I would always act with dignity and require proper courtroom decorum. I was raised by strong ethical parents to be impartial and not to have any predetermined biases. I have always managed my personal and business affairs in an organized and timely manner and would continue to do so as a judge. I would make fair, informed and logical decisions, not dictated on public perception. I am courteous by nature and I have developed a great sense of patience. I would stand firm in all of my decisions as I have a strong conviction and a determined character.

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Mathew Harter
RESUME

Legal Experience

Legal Associations

     American Bar Association, Family Law & Tort Sections; State Bar of Nevada, Family Law & Personal Injury Section; Clark County Bar Association; Nevada Trial Lawyers Association; American Inn of Court; Pro Bono Project, participant.

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Legal Education

General Education

University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
   Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Business Management, December 1988.

Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.
   General Studies, August 1984 to April 1985.

Bonanza High School, Las Vegas, Nevada 1980-84.

General Work Experience

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