A lot of folks don’t pay close attention to judicial races, but sometimes the story behind the robe tells you everything you need to know.
Judge Jason Woodbury has one of those stories. And it starts long before anyone called him “Your Honor.”
Woodbury is running to keep his seat in Department 1 of the First Judicial District Court. Gov. Joe Lombardo appointed him in 2024 after longtime Judge Todd Russell retired.
Since then, Woodbury has built a reputation as a steady hand. Not flashy. Not political. Just solid.
Before stepping onto the bench, he served almost ten years as Carson City District Attorney. Voters trusted him enough to elect him three times.
That alone says a lot in a small community where people actually know their public officials and expect results.
But his Nevada roots go even deeper.
Woodbury grew up around hard-working local businesses, including the well-known Ogres Holm Pottery shop in Carson City.
Friends say that early exposure taught him patience and discipline. Anyone who has ever watched a potter at a wheel knows you only get a good finish with a steady touch.
Courtrooms work the same way.
A Career Built On Real-World Experience
Before becoming DA, Woodbury spent a decade at Kaempfer Crowell, one of Nevada’s respected law firms. He focused on commercial litigation.
That kind of background matters because it means he understands the pressures small businesses face when they end up in court.
In a state like Nevada, where government rules can feel like a maze, having a judge who understands the private sector can make a real difference.
When he talks about his first year as a judge, he describes it as “challenging and rewarding in ways I couldn’t have imagined.” Most people don’t realize how wide the job really is.
As he puts it, a typical Monday might include probating a will, handling a child-custody dispute, sentencing a criminal defendant, and finalizing an adoption. That’s a full day for anyone, let alone someone responsible for making decisions that carry real weight.
Yet those who watch the court say Woodbury brings calm to the bench. Not softness. Just fairness.
And in Nevada, especially with public safety concerns running high, voters are looking for judges who understand that balance.
Guided By Mentors and Focused On Modernizing The Court
Woodbury is quick to say he didn’t get here alone. He credits former judges John Maddox, James Wilson, and especially Todd Russell for mentoring him through the transition.
That willingness to learn matters. Too many public officials walk in thinking they already know everything. Woodbury walked in ready to listen.
He also has a clear goal for the future. If voters choose to keep him on the bench, he wants to fully implement electronic filing.
Right now, the court has a public portal that posts filings for certain high-profile cases. It gives anyone, anytime, free access to what’s happening.
Woodbury says expanding that tool and modernizing the rest of the system is at the top of the judges’ priority list.
For folks who care about transparency and want less government runaround, that should be welcome news.
A Standard Of Fairness
Woodbury’s connection to Department 1 goes back to his very first legal job, clerking for Judge Mike Griffin.
He also practiced in front of Judge Russell for almost two decades. He often says no one left that courtroom feeling cheated, even when the ruling didn’t go their way.
That idea of basic fairness is what he’s trying to carry forward. Nevada needs more of that. Especially now.
Woodbury isn’t a headline chaser. He’s not a partisan warrior. He’s a local judge who shows up, does the work, and tries to treat people right.
In today’s world, that might be the most refreshing thing of all.
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