GOVERNOR’S OFFICE NEWS RELEASE
CARSON CITY – Gov. Brian Sandoval announced today he has appointed Carolyn Ellsworth to the 8th Judicial District Court vacancy.
“Carolyn’s patience, civility and respect will provide a solid judicial temperament on the bench,” Sandoval said. “With three decades of law experience, Carolyn’s understanding of Nevada law will be extremely valuable.”
Currently administrator of the Securities Division in the Nevada Secretary of State’s office, Ellsworth has also been the chief of enforcement for the Securities Division. As chief of enforcement, Ellsworth served as legal counsel for the Securities Division, assisting investigators with investigations of licensees, preparing and presenting administrative enforcement and compliance actions, representing the Division in district court, supervising and assisting criminal investigations and preparing cases for submission to the attorney general’s office.
In the course of her duties, she drafted legislation for review and revisions to the Uniform Securities Act. As administrator, she is responsible for administering and enforcing the Nevada Uniform Securities Act and the Nevada Commodities Act.
From 2003 to 2007, Ellsworth engaged in solo private practice in the areas of employment law, plaintiffs personal injury litigation, general civil litigation, aviation litigation and employment and other business contract drafting and review work. From 1990 to 2000, Ellsworth served as vice president, Mirage Resorts Risk Management, and also held the title of assistant general counsel to Mirage Resorts.
From 1979 to 1990, Ellsworth worked with the Clark County District Attorney’s Office. She began as an appellate division law clerk, became a deputy district attorney on the trial team (1980-1981), chief of the consumer fraud unit (1981-1983), trial deputy and liaison deputy (1983-1986) and chief deputy district attorney (1986-1990). In her time with the DA’s office, Ellsworth tried approximately 100 jury trials in all manner of criminal cases, including murder, attempted murder, robbery, sexual assault and fraud.
From 2001 to present, Ellsworth has served as an arbitrator in the Court Annexed Mandatory Arbitration Program. A graduate of San Diego State University, Ellsworth is a graduate of Southwestern University School of Law, where she was on the dean’s list honor roll in her second and third years. She was admitted to the Nevada bar in 1980.
