District Attorney-Elect Chris Hicks has announced his leadership team following the certification of his election as Washoe County District Attorney. Hicks, who ran unopposed to succeed long-time Washoe County District Attorney Dick Gammick, takes office on January 5, 2015.
Bruce Hahn, veteran prosecutor and former member of the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Nevada, was selected by Hicks to be the Assistant District Attorney for the Criminal Division. Mr. Hahn joined the District Attorney’s Office in 1994.
He has served on the office’s Major Violators Unit and as Chief Deputy of the Domestic Violence Protection Team prosecuting a number of serious felony cases over the years including murder, sexual assault and crimes against children.
“I worked alongside Bruce for years and I know his professionalism, his commitment to criminal justice, and his experience in the trenches will be an asset for the office.” Hicks said.
For the Civil Division of the office, Hicks is retaining Assistant District Attorney Paul Lipparelli. As the head of the Civil Division, Mr. Lipparelli serves as chief counsel to the Board of County Commissioners and the County Manager. Lipparelli has 22 years of public lawyer experience and has been Assistant District Attorney for six years.
“Paul has a wealth of knowledge about local governments and the laws that govern their work,” Hicks said. “He has served Washoe County well and I’m grateful he’s agreed to stay on.”
Hicks said his plan when he takes office will be to keep public safety as the top priority in prosecution and to provide comprehensive legal advice to the County while focusing on the efficient use of resources within the office.
“Dick Gammick put together a great team of professionals and staff,” said Hicks. “I am fortunate to inherit such a great office and I look forward to building on that foundation.”
The District Attorney’s Office has 167 employees including 60 attorneys. The office has a criminal and civil division. The criminal division prosecutes misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, and felony investigations from city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. The civil division provides legal representation to all elected and appointed officials of Washoe County, as well as to over 68 boards, agencies and commissions through which services are provided to the public.
