The passing of Chief Judge Patrick Flanagan

Second Judicial District Court Chief Judge Patrick Flanagan passed away in Reno on October 6, 2017.

Reno, Nev. Oct. 9, 2017. Second Judicial District Court Chief Judge Patrick Flanagan passed away in Reno on October 6, 2017.

In 2006, Judge Patrick Flanagan was elected to serve as the Second Judicial District Court Judge in Department 7. He was reelected in 2014.  During his term, the Second Judicial District Court judges unanimously elected Judge Flanagan to serve as Chief Judge on January 11, 2016.

Chief Judge Flanagan was a compassionate and dedicated leader in the Court, the attorney bar, and in the community. He served as the president of the State Bar of Nevada, the Washoe County Bar Association, and the Nevada Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. In addition to his administrative duties as Chief Judge, Judge Flanagan sought to improve pro bono efforts, supported specialty court programs, and focused on providing access to justice for those in need of legal assistance. He also had a passion for inspiring and educating our youth.  He regularly spoke to students, opened his courtroom to observation and engaged students in public outreach initiatives, including the Court’s first annual student Flag Day poem contest. 

Chief Judge Flanagan also had a passion for the legal system and its role in our community.  Under his leadership, the Court welcomed the community to participate in a variety of court events and trainings. 

“In addition to his judicial wisdom, Chief Judge Flanagan will be remembered for his extraordinary kindness, wit, grace, respect, generosity, and compassion.  The loss of his strength and courage as a leader and friend will be felt for a very long time” stated Judge Connie Steinheimer, the longest serving judge at the Court.

Prior to joining the District Court in 2006, Chief Judge Flanagan was a partner at Hale Lane Peek Dennison and Howard, served as an assistant federal public defender for the District of Nevada, and worked in the appellate division of the Washoe County Public Defender's Office as a chief appellate deputy. He received and maintained the highest ratings in the bi-annual judicial surveys during his tenure on the bench.

Chief Judge Flanagan graduated from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s in education, and from California Western School of Law in San Diego, California, where he earned his juris doctorate.

The Supreme Court of Nevada Chief Justice Michael A. Cherry stated: “My most sincere condolences to the family of my friend and colleague Chief Judge Patrick Flanagan. I am extremely sorry that we have lost one of the finest jurists in the history of our state. I will miss his friendship and leadership provided during his long-time service as a lawyer and a judge. May God comfort his family in this time of sorrow and may Patrick rest in peace.”

Chief Judge Flanagan is survived by his wife, Caroline, their two children, Erin and Shawn Flanagan, and one grandchild, William Flanagan.

The wake will be held Wednesday, October 11, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the El Dorado Resort. The funeral will be held Thursday, October 12, at 2:00 p.m. at Our Lady of the Snows Church. A reception will immediately follow at the El Dorado Resort.