Thank you for taking the time to visit this website. In doing so you are demonstrating your interest in making Nevada safer for you and your family, an interest I share with you.

As a lifelong Nevadan I have seen our state grow and flourish, and I have had first-hand experience dealing with many of the legal challenges presented to the office of attorney general. Nearly my entire legal career has been devoted to public service; in the District Court system, as chief of staff to a governor, as a prosecutor for the United States Attorney's Office, and as Assistant Clark County Manager. I believe my years of experience in both the judicial and executive branches of government, and in the private practice of law make me uniquely qualified to be your Attorney General.

Please use this website to explore my qualifications, and my positions on the issues of concern to you. The links on the left of this page will lead you to the information you need to make an informed decision. I especially urge you to use the contact information to ask questions, provide your valuable feedback, and to arrange for your groups or organizations to meet with me.

I look forward to hearing from you and receiving your support so that I may serve you as Nevada’s Attorney General. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Catherine Cortez Masto - Experience and Leadership for Attorney General

Catherine Cortez Masto has spent a decade of her life fighting crime, protecting victims' rights, advocating for children and senior citizens and supporting working families. From her role as Chief of Staff for Governor Bob Miller to federal prosecutor to Assistant County Manager for Clark County - Catherine Cortez Masto has proven that she has the experience and expertise to be Nevada's Attorney General.

Assistant County Manager: Keeping Nevada Families Safe

Catherine Cortez Masto was appointed Assistant County Manager for Clark County in January of 2002. To improve the protection, foster care and adoption services provided to children and families, Cortez Masto worked with the Department of Family Services on the transfer and integration of State child welfare services to Clark County. She worked with the Department of Juvenile Justice Services and created the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative to build a better legal system for juveniles that would ensure youth accountability and the use of appropriate community-based alternatives, without jeopardizing public safety or court appearance rates.

Cortez Masto also participated on the Southern Nevada Domestic Violence Court Task Force to explore the creation of a unified domestic violence court. In addition to her role on the taskforce, Cortez Masto worked with various community partners to seek federal funding to create a Family Justice Center for the purpose of providing one-stop services and support to victims of domestic violence.

Catherine Cortez Masto worked on the development and implementation of the Criminal Justice Advisory Counsel. The Advisory Counsel's mission is to produce an efficient working relationship, promote the use of best practices and improve communication among the departments within the criminal justice system. She also participated on the Supreme Court of Nevada Court Funding Commission and helped to create the Clark County Justice of the Peace Judicial Selection Committee.

Her additional responsibilities at Clark County included the re-organization of the Public Defender's Office, administrative oversight of the Coroner, Special Public Defender, Public Guardian, and Law Library; fiscal oversight of the District Court, Justice Court, District Attorney, Public Administrator, Constables, and County Clerk; and liaison to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Federal Criminal Prosecutor: On the Front Lines Fighting Crime and Drugs

Prior to working at the County, Catherine Cortez Masto was a federal criminal prosecutor for the United States Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C. Hired in March of 2000, Cortez Masto began her career as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA). During her tenure as an AUSA she prosecuted criminals for felony possession and distribution of drugs. She also protected the rights of victims from stalkers and batterers.

Chief of Staff to Governor Miller: Hands-on Executive and State Government Expertise

In September 1995, Catherine Cortez Masto was appointed to work in Governor Bob Miller's administration. During her initial years in Miller's administration she ran his southern Nevada office, provided supporting legal counsel, organized legislation for new state programs, facilitated public policy and managed intergovernmental affairs for various state agencies and commissions including the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Taxation, the Department of Business and Industry, the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, the Department of Transportation, the State Contractor's Board and the Colorado River Commission.

She also worked with agencies such as the Nevada Development Capital Corporation and the Rural Nevada Development Corporation to increase economic development of businesses to the state. To protect existing businesses in the state, Cortez Masto played a pivotal role in monitoring the actions of the federally created National Gambling Impact Study Commission.

In July 1998, Governor Miller appointed Cortez Masto to be his Chief of Staff. As Chief of Staff, she supervised and managed the Governor's office and was liaison between the Governor's office and the 23 members of the Governor's cabinet. Cortez Masto also consulted with the Attorney General's office on legal issues involving potential conflicts with the Governor's office and state agencies and assisted the Governor with preparation of the state budget.

Background

Catherine Cortez Masto is a native Nevadan. She attended the University of Nevada Reno, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1986 with a major in Finance. She graduated Cum Laude from Gonzaga University School of Law, in Spokane, Washington in 1990.

Cortez Masto was admitted to the State Bar of Nevada in 1990, the U.S. District Court, District of Nevada in 1991 and the U.S. Court of Appeals, for the Ninth Circuit in 1994. Between June 1990 and August 1991, she served as a Law Clerk for Judge Michael J. Wendell in the Eighth Judicial District Court. In November of 1991 she became an Associate Attorney in the Las Vegas law firm of Raleigh, Hunt & McGarry, P.C. where she remained until September, 1995 practicing as a general civil litigator.

She resides in Las Vegas with her husband, Paul Masto, a Special Agent in the United States Secret Service.