Judge George Assad

Department 3

Judge George Assad was unanimously appointed to Department 3 of the Las Vegas Municipal Court in June 2002 by the Las Vegas City Council. He was re-elected during the 2003 general election. Prior to his appointment, Judge Assad served as Judge Pro Tem in Las Vegas Municipal Court, Henderson Justice Court, North Las Vegas Justice Court and North Las Vegas Municipal Court.

Judge Assad earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts in 1976. He was accepted at several law schools in the Boston area, but because he was unable to afford law school at that time, he moved to Las Vegas to work his way through law school. He joined the Culinary Union Local 226 working as a bus boy and waiter before moving into casino operations, where he worked as a blackjack and dice dealer at several different casinos. After earning enough money to attend law school, he was admitted to the University of San Diego School of Law in 1984. During his last year of law school he had the privilege of receiving a judicial externship at the Federal District Court in San Diego for the Honorable Earl B. Gilliam.

After graduating in 1987 with a Jurist Doctor degree, he served as a Deputy District Attorney for Clark County, prosecuting major felony cases. His tenure included approximately six months as a prosecutor in Juvenile Court. After nearly three years at the District Attorney’s office, Judge Assad entered private practice, joining the law firm of William B. Terry, Chtd., practicing primarily criminal defense and personal injury law. He also presided over numerous cases in the Court Appointed Arbitration Program.

Judge Assad has argued cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Nevada Supreme Court. He is a past member of the American Bar Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association and Nevada Attorney’s for Criminal Justice. He is currently a member of the Nevada Judges Association and the American Judges Association as well as the State Bar of Nevada and the Clark County Bar Association.

Judge Assad is a 29-year resident of Las Vegas. He was raised in Norwood, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston, where he played high school football, wrestled and was co-captain of his high school baseball team. His family was among a small minority of Christians living in Syria in 1952 who were able to emigrate to the United States when he was 10 months old. He was the first in his family to receive a formal education. He considers himself to be blessed to be a Judge serving in the judicial branch of government for the United States of America.

Judge Assad is involved with a variety of community youth programs and activities to help minority and underprivileged kids develop positive values and improve their self esteem. He has volunteered many hours with Child Haven, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Little League Baseball, the American Diabetes Association, PAYBAC, (Professionals And Youth Building A Commitment) and the “We the People” program. Judge Assad has received a Certificate of Recognition Award from the Trial by Peers program. He has also started a Drug Court Program and a “Kids in Court” program designed to help high school students stay away from drugs and stay in school. In 2003 Judge Assad received a Certificate of Commendation from the United States Senate for receiving the Public Official of the Year award from the Asian Chamber of Commerce.