WCDA Welcomes New Prosecutors

Four Newly Hired WCDA Prosecutors Take the District Attorney Oath of Office

Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks recently welcomed four newly hired Deputy District Attorneys to his team, important steps towards addressing staffing shortages due to bail reform and increasing public safety demands.  All prosecutors begin their tenure with the office by taking a formal oath in Washoe County District Court to do justice and serve the citizens of our community.   Each swears to support, protect and defend the constitutions of the United States and Nevada, as well as faithfully perform the duties of their position.      

The office is grateful to Washoe County management and the Board of County Commissioners for recognizing the importance of granting requests to address staffing shortages in these challenging times.  These positions were considered critical to the Office’s continuing efforts to ensure public safety and meet the demands of a growing community and concerns about crime.  Together, these new DA’s bring with them a variety of experiences within the legal profession and join a team of dedicated WCDA employees.

DDA Thomas Sertic earned his Juris Doctor from the William S. Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  While earning his Juris Doctor, he made the Dean’s List, and earned a CALI Award: Criminal Pretrial Litigation.  DDA Sertic will be assigned to the Misdemeanor Team and earned previous experience as a Judicial Law Clerk for Washoe County Judge Egan Walker. 

DDA Henry Ng joined the office in July and is assigned to the WCDA’s Office Misdemeanor Team.  He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, where he made the Dean’s List.  From August 2021 through July 2022, he served as the Law Clerk in the Second Judicial District Court to the Honorable Lynne K. Simons

DDA Widad Diab Sairafe also joins the WCDA’s Office Misdemeanor team.  She graduated from University of California, Irvine School of Law where she received Pro Bono High Honors for her work while at the University.  DDA Sairafe also brings with her experience as a Community Justice Fellow, working in Southern Nevada.

DDA Richard Haas joins the office as a felony trial team attorney. He brings with him over 20 years of experience in criminal litigation and an extensive background in trial work.  DDA Haas has been a prosecutor for many years, including with the Nevada Army National Guard and most recently as a prosecutor with the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office in Northern Nevada.