Meet the candidates running for Henderson Justice Court Department 3

Two longtime litigators have emerged as contenders to unseat Henderson Justice of the Peace Barbara Schifalacqua as she seeks re-election.

In this year’s primary, attorneys Lance Hendron and Blair Parker will challenge Schifalacqua, an incumbent seeking her first full term to preside over Department 3 in Henderson Justice Court.

Schifalacqua succeeded former Justice of the Peace David Gibson and was first appointed to the bench in 2023 after having spent most of her career as a deputy prosecutor in the Clark County district attorney’s office and, later as a hearing master in District Court. She won a special two-year term in Henderson in 2024. She said she’s the most qualified candidate for the job.

“I can tell you, why I’m running, of course, is because of how important it is to have skilled, experienced, dedicated judges to the bench,” Schifalacqua said.

Henderson Justice Court hears matters such as small claims, landlord-tenant issues and traffic citations, as well as protective orders, misdemeanors and civil cases. The Justice of the Peace also handles gross misdemeanors and felony cases from initial appearances through preliminary hearings and help set bail and determine probable cause. Their terms last six years.

Schifalacqua added that her experience presiding over the courtroom has helped deepen her understanding of the Justice Court’s administration. She said as the city of Henderson continues to grow, it’s important to keep the court accessible for everyone and running smoothly.

“I’ve spent so much time being not only a prosecutor, but presenting cases,” Schifalacqua said. “The idea of looking at what it takes to run a court so that we have equal access to justice to folks in our community is really something that I have not only learned about, but have really focused on making a priority for our courts.”

But Schifalacqua isn’t the only candidate in this race with experience presiding over cases.

Hendron, a defense attorney with his own private practice, served as a small claims referee and pro tem, or substitute, judge at Las Vegas Justice Court from 2015-2022, according to his campaign website.

Hendron, who started practicing law nearly two decades ago, also provides pro bono work for the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada and was the president of the Nevada Attorneys for Criminal Justice from 2015-2017. He said that he’s either provided counsel to or heard every type of case that goes before Henderson Justice Court.

If elected, Hendron said he would like to seek grant funding to help expand specialty courts that can help criminal or misdemeanor defendants facing mental health, substance abuse or homelessness problems to receive specialized attention. Some of those programs, Hendron noted, exist in District Court, Las Vegas Justice Court and Henderson Municipal Court.

“They can only handle a given amount of individuals based on the amount of resources they have,” Hendron said. “It’s imperative and important for Henderson Justice Court to also be involved with this and be developing their own type of specialty courts.”

Parker, a partner at the Hutchison & Steffen law firm and private mediator and arbitrator, also has many years of experience representing clients and overseeing court disputes.

Parker moved to the Las Vegas Valley in 1987, and has served as a Henderson Municipal Court pro tem judge since 1999 and a Justice Court pro tem judge since 200. He’s also served as a short trial judge in District Court, where since 2007 Parker has presided over 42 jury trials.

Encouraged to run by friends in the legal community, Parker said he’s running because he enjoys working in Justice Court.

“I think my temperament and experience has benefited me in being able to do that,” Parker said. “I recognize that I actually enjoy the Justice Courts.”

The most important thing a Justice of the Peace can do, Parker said, is ensure they administer the law fairly.

“Whenever I ruled on a case, I wanted them to feel — even if I ruled against them — that I they felt like I understood the case then I listened to all the parties, gave them an opportunity to present their case and rendered my decision in a respectful way.”

The candidates will appear on the June 9 primary ballot. Early voting for the primary will run from Saturday, May 23 until Friday, June 5. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the overall vote, the top two candidates will advance to the Nov. 3 General Election ballot.