Censured Family Court Judge Mary Perry Faces Disciplined Attorney Jennifer Isso in Department P Race

What happened

Both candidates for the Family Court seat in Department P have been formally disciplined, according to the Nevada Current. Judge Mary Perry, who agreed in 2024 to a public censure, is running for reelection. Her challenger, attorney Jennifer Isso, is able to run because the Nevada Supreme Court stayed her State Bar discipline.

Judicial races are nonpartisan. Voters can find more general coverage in our elections section and a rundown of key early voting dates.

The incumbent: Judge Mary Perry

Perry hears child custody and divorce cases and was first elected in 2020. She is an Air Force veteran and part of the charter class at UNLV Boyd School of Law. She told the Current she is in a good place now. "My discipline is behind me," she said.

The 2024 censure

The Judicial Discipline Commission cited two cases in which Perry used profanity, showed obvious mood changes, made personally demeaning comments about litigants and used a disrespectful tone. Videos of Perry yelling at litigants have circulated on social media. Perry told the Current the behavior came from a breast cancer medication that caused hormonal changes, and that it took about a year for her to adjust.

Attorney evaluations and appeals

In the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Judging the Judges survey, 97 attorneys evaluated Perry and only 35% recommended keeping her, the Current reported. Perry linked much of that to being abrupt, a style she said she learned in the military. The website Our Nevada Judges reports her rulings were found in error in 11 of 16 appealed cases. Perry said she is willing to make judgment calls in areas where there is little guidance.

Money and endorsements

Perry raised about $101,000 through the third quarter and had just under $16,000 on hand. Endorsements on her website include the Western States Carpenters, the Clark County Deputy Marshals Association, SEIU Nevada, Culinary Local 226, Hispanics in Politics and the Asian American Group. She is also backed by the Third Branch PAC, which calls itself bipartisan but is funded solely by the Nevada Republican Club, according to the Current.

The challenger: Jennifer Isso

Isso also earned her law degree at UNLV's Boyd School of Law. She did not respond to the Current's interview request for the general election.

A stayed suspension

Earlier this year, the Nevada Supreme Court approved the State Bar's recommendation that Isso be suspended but stayed it, which allowed her to run. The court order said she admitted failing to show respect for the court, witnesses, opposing litigants and opposing counsel. It also said she admitted making false or reckless statements about Judge Stephanie Charter, Judge Mari Parlade and then-Judge Paul Gaudet, who is now running for the bench as Michel Gaudet.

State Bar Counsel Dan Hooge said the suspension was stayed for 18 months and that the bar will monitor Isso on probation with several conditions. If she meets them, she will not serve the suspension. If probation is revoked, she would serve it and have to petition for reinstatement.

Campaign finances and her approach

Isso's third quarter report shows she raised no money and is $1,938 in the hole, and her website lists no endorsements. Before the primary, she said a YouTube video showing her crying came from a hearing where a judge sanctioned her client, and that it was posted by Steve Sanson of Veterans in Politics after she filed. "I'm very direct, very honest, and I'm willing to challenge authority," Isso said.

Why it matters for voters

The Department P judge hears child custody and divorce cases. Because judicial races are nonpartisan, the Current's reporting on discipline findings, attorney surveys, appeal outcomes and endorsements gives voters details on both candidates.

What to watch next

• The general election outcome for the Family Court Department P seat between Perry and Isso.
• Whether Isso meets the conditions of her 18-month stayed suspension and State Bar probation.