Reno’s Judges are Bailing: A Look at Turnover, Vacancies, and Court Impacts
Reno’s courts are experiencing the most significant period of judicial turnover in more than a decade. Good luck getting your case heard. Here is who left and what is happening.
Jun 15, 2026
Reno’s courts are experiencing the most significant period of judicial turnover in more than a decade. What began as a routine cycle of retirements has accelerated into a multi‑court reshuffling driven by promotions, personal leave, and—most dramatically—forced removals and scandal‑driven exits.
This article documents the confirmed changes, the developments, and the operational consequences now unfolding across Municipal Court, Justice Court, and the Second Judicial District Court.
Back Row: Judges Gene Drakulich, Connie Steinheimer, and Kendra Bertshey. Front row: Judges Tammy Riggs, Dorothy Nash Holmes, and Kathleen Drakulich.
Second District Court: A System Under Strain
The Robb Collapse and Its Aftermath
The most destabilizing event recently was the 2026 removal of Judge Bridget Robb from all cases following a temporary protective order against her. She retired shortly afterward and withdrew from her re‑election campaign.
Impact:
Department 13 became vacant.
Caseloads were redistributed to already‑overloaded civil judges.
Trials were delayed as the court reassigned Robb’s docket.
Administrative committees lost one of their senior members.
The Judge, the Senior Partner, the Junior Lawyer and the Scandal
This is the story of Judge Bridget Robb and the stalking scandal. Robb recently pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of stalking despite over 180 documented instances.
Judge Connie Steinheimer Removed From Cases
Shortly after Robb’sRobb’s removal, Judge Connie Steinheimer was taken off her docket. While not a retirement, the court lost another sitting judge.
Impact:
The Washoe District Court was down two judges simultaneously.
Civil trial calendars—already stretched—were pushed further out.
Litigants in long‑running cases saw new delays as files were reassigned.
Link to RGJ: Washoe Judge Steinheimer barred from cases over personnel issue.
Judge Kathleen Drakulich — Retirement
Sources at the courthouse say that Judge Kathleen Drakulich has retired. Drakulich did not file for re-election. There are two contenders for her seat: Derik Dreiling and Joe Goreman.
If confirmed, this creates:
A third vacancy in the District Court within a short window.
There won’t be an appointment as 2 candidates will be on the November ballot.
Additional calendar reshuffling in civil and criminal divisions.
Reno Justice Court: Temporary Leave
Judge Kendra Bertschy — Marriage Leave
Judge Kendra Bertschy, known for her work on behavioral‑health and Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) initiatives, is reportedly taking leave to marry.
Operational impact:
Specialty‑court responsibilities (SIM, diversion coordination) must be reassigned.
Justice Court calendars may see short‑term adjustments or pro tem coverage.
Stakeholders in treatment‑court programs may experience scheduling shifts.
Reno Municipal Court: A Bench in Transition
Judge Gene Drakulich's Retirement
Judge Gene Drakulich has retired from the Reno Municipal Court, Dept. 1, as of June 10, 2026.
Judge Tammy Riggs moved to the District Court, leaving Department 3 vacant in 2020; finally, a replacement was named in 2021.
Judge Pro Tem Jenny Hubach covered a majority of the dockets during the time Judge Riggs resigned and became a District Court Judge in Dept 3.
Impact:
The city has not appointed an interim judge after Drakulich’s departure and is waiting until the next election.
Case processing times will lengthen, especially for high‑volume misdemeanor calendars.
Remaining judges absorb additional arraignments and specialty‑court duties.
Cases are now being handled by only 3 already overworked departments.
Other Recent Retirements
Judge Dorothy Nash Holmes retired in 2024, leaving the court short-staffed.
Where Vacancies Exist Today
The Second Judicial District Court currently has multiple vacancies on its bench. Department 13 is vacant following the retirement of Judge Bridget Robb, whose removal from cases earlier in the year forced an abrupt end to her service.
A second seat is functionally vacant in the Judicial District Court Department 4 because Judge Connie Steinheimer was removed from her caseload, leaving the department without an active judge, even though she remains on the bench.
A vacancy exists in Department 1, where Judge Kathleen Drakulich has retired. Derik Dreiling and Joe Goreman are running to fill the position. Dreiling is a retired Reno Justice Court Justice of the Peace, and Goreman is the current Probate Commissioner for the Second Judicial District Court.
In the Reno Municipal Court, Department 3 became vacant after Judge Dorthy Nash Holmes retired. Justin Champagne was elected last cycle over his contender, Pete Sferazza.
There is an upcoming election in the Reno Municipal Court, Department 1, due to Judge Gene Drakulich's retirement. Pro tem Judge Jenny Hubach and City Attorney Angela Gianoli are running for this bench.
In the Reno Justice Court, Judge Kendra Bertschy is on temporary leave for her upcoming marriage—this is not a formal vacancy, but it does remove her from the calendar for a period of time and requires coverage by colleagues or pro tem judges.
How Chris Hicks’ Charging Guidelines Broke Washoe County’s Justice System
The courts were already overloaded due to DA Hicks’ changes to charging guidelines, which resulted in far fewer plea deals and fewer charges being filed, and more cases going to trial.
System‑Wide Impacts: What This Means for Reno and Washoe County
Trial Delays and Calendar Congestion
With multiple judges removed, retired, or transitioning:
Civil trials are being pushed months out.
Family‑law litigants face longer waits for hearings.
Criminal cases requiring firm trial dates may see continuances.
Specialty courts (treatment, diversion, SIM) face leadership gaps.
Increased Reliance on Senior Judges and Pro Tems
To keep dockets moving, courts are leaning more heavily on:
Senior judges
Pro tem judges
Cross‑assignment of sitting judges
This keeps the system functioning but adds inconsistency for litigants.
Administrative Strain
Judges serve on committees, specialty courts, and policy groups. When multiple judges exit:
Committee leadership must be reassigned.
Specialty‑court oversight becomes fragmented.
Long‑term initiatives (e.g., SIM, treatment‑court expansion) lose continuity.
Political and Civic Implications
Judicial vacancies trigger:
Appointment processes through the Nevada Commission on Judicial Selection
Competitive elections for open seats
Increased scrutiny of judicial conduct and oversight
This turnover cycle will shape Washoe County’s judiciary for the next decade.
The Bottom Line
Reno’s courts are undergoing a consequential period of transition. Between forced removals, retirements, promotions, and personal leave, the system is operating with fewer judges than it needs—and the effects are visible in delayed trials, heavier caseloads, and administrative reshuffling.
For a region already grappling with population growth, housing pressures, and rising case volumes, the timing could not be more challenging. Do we need reform?
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