CANDIDATE MATERIALS FOR NCJFCJ OFFICER POSITIONS 

 

OFFICE        CANDIDATE(S) 

SECRETARY          Judge Egan Walker 

TREASURER          Judge Ramona Gonzalez 

PRESIDENT‐ELECT        Judge Warner Kennon           Judge John Romero 

 

SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT

STATE OF NEVADA COUNTY OF WASHOE

EGAN WALKER Physical: One South Sierra District Judge Mailing: 75 Court Street Department 2 Reno, Nevada 89501 Family Division (775)329-3179

May 16, 2017 Hon. Katherine Tennyson, President National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges c/o Diedra Thiesse, Executive Assistant Re: Letter of Intent Your Honor, Please accept this correspondence as an expression of my intention to seek election to the office of Secretary. I offer no comments of self-aggrandizement in support of my application. Instead, I simply pledge my best efforts, whether I am elected to the office of Secretary or not, to continue to serve the National Council in the mission to improve the lives of children and families across our nation. I stand ready to answer any questions and offer any additional information you may need. Best regards, Egan Walker District Judge

Egan K. Walker 965 Festa Way Sparks, Nevada 89434 (775) 331-1801(h)

(775)328-3179(w) egan.walker@washoecourts.us

EDUCATION/LICENSURE

Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Nevada-Reno; graduated with distinction May 1986.

Juris Doctorate; UOP-McGeorge School of Law – Admitted with Honors; Graduated May 21, 1991. Candidate, Master of Judicial Studies, University of Nevada – Reno.

Member Nevada State Bar, No. 4408. Member California State Bar, No. 161096(inactive). WORK EXPERIENCE March 2011 to present: District Judge, Department

2, Second Judicial District Court, State of Nevada; Family Division. Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Division, responsible for Juvenile Delinquency, Juvenile Dependency, Minor Guardianships and an innovative program entitled “Project ONE,” which is designed to marshal court resources in holistic ways for children and families across multiple case types.

January 2009 to March 2011: Family Court Master,

Second Judicial District Court, State of Nevada. Responsible for Child Support, Adult Guardianship and Self – Represented Litigant dockets.

March 2003 – January 2009: Owner, Managing Member, Kreitlein & Walker, LTD/LLC, focusing on all aspects of Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Family Law, Civil Litigation and Contract disputes in both Federal and State courts. March 2000 – March 2003: Owner, Egan K. Walker, Esq., sole practitioner – Civil Litigation and Family Law.

December 2000 to December 2008–Judge Pro Tempore Sparks Municipal Court.

June 1995 to February 2000--Deputy District Attorney, Washoe County District Attorney's Office; Assigned to

the Major Violator's Unit/Domestic Violence Protection Team, prosecuting high profile Murder, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse cases. June 1992 to June 1995--Deputy District Attorney, Carson City District Attorney's Office. Prosecuting all crimes, misdemeanor through felonies, including Homicide, and appellate practice to the Nevada Supreme Court. August 1991 through June 1992 -- Law clerk to Judge Michael Fondi, First Judicial District Court, Department 2.

July 1987 through May 1991 — Clinical Nurse II, Coronary Care Unit at the U.C. Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California.

January 1992 to August 1995 -- Member, St. Mary's Regional Medical Center Biomedical Ethics Committee.

February 1996 to February 1997 -- Member, Northern Nevada Medical Center Bioethics Committee.

COURT IMPROVEMENT/JUSTICE IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES

National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Board Member – Appointed July 2015 Lead Judge – Project ONE Lead Judge – Sr. Dependency Model Court Nevada Administrative Office of the Courts

Lead Judge – Community Improvement Coalition, Second Judicial District Lead Judge – Nevada Court Improvement Project, Second Judicial District Member – Nevada Court Improvement Project, Select Committee

Annie E. Casey Foundation Lead Judge - JDAI Model site Lead Judge – JDAI, Deep End site Nevada State Commission on Juvenile Justice Improvement – CSG initiative, Member

Nevada State Commission on Sexual Exploitation of Children - Member

Nevada Supreme Court Commission on Statewide Juvenile Justice, Member Nevada Supreme Court Commission to Study the Administration of Justice in Nevada’s Guardianship Courts, Member China Spring/Aurora Pines Youth Camp Advisory Board Member

Washoe County Law Library Board (2011 - 2014) PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS Bruce Thompson Chapter, American Inns of Court; Master of the Inn

National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, Board Member

Nevada District Judge’s Association Nevada State Bar Association California State Bar Association Washoe County Bar Association COMMUNITY SERVICE 2014 to present – Board Member, Children’s Cabinet

2004 to 2012 – Member and Board Member, Sparks Rotary Club

2000 to 2012 – Past President, Board Member, and Advisory Board Member, Crisis Call Center

2006 to 2015 – Board Member, Healthy Families Foundation

1988 to 1998 -- Instructed healthcare professionals about the evolving state of the law regarding Advanced Directives and the so called “Right to Die.” 2009 – 2016 – Unit coach, We The People program, Reed High School; Kids Court – Lemelson Stem Academy. Current District competition Judge for We the People.

MILITARY SERVICE

Graduated combat medic school, U.S. Army, Army National Guard; Flight medic school, U.S. Army, Army National Guard; Second Lt. U.S. Army Nurse Corps, Army Reserve.

Military awards - Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Nevada State Commendation Medal, two awards; Battalion Soldier of the Year, 1986.

Hon. Ramona A. Gonzalez 1628 Madison Street, La Crosse, WI 54601

(608) 780-3881 | JudgeRamonaGonzalez@gmail.com SUMMARY Visionary institutional leader in and outside the courtroom with demonstrated experience serving diverse stakeholder groups (e.g. the accused, victims, prosecution, families, communities, staff, etc.). Servant and transformational leader known for elevating, engaging, and inspiring followers to reach new heights. Driven to create positive change in the lives of individuals, families, and communities. Demonstrated catalyst for change domestically and internationally. Strategist capable of building from the ground up, leading reform initiatives, or carrying existing visions to fruition.

THEMES Executive Leadership | Advancing Others Demonstrated organizational leadership, and coalition building across varying stakeholder groups. Select groups for strategic plan creation, implementation, and volunteer engagement include: • La Crosse County Criminal Justice Management Council (CJMC) Judicial member (2008 – present).

Lead efforts to reduce reliance on incarceration to address community safety and perpetrator accountability using research based approaches leading to costs savings of millions of dollars to La Crosse County.

• Wisconsin Judicial Committee on Child Welfare: Judicial Member (2012 – present). Strategic planning and implementation of policies and best practices for improving the child welfare system in Wisconsin including successfully shepherding legislative changes.

• Wisconsin Supreme Court Judicial Education Committee: (1996-2002). Tasked with setting the judicial education agenda for all judges in the state of Wisconsin. As a Judicial Member worked to integrate the issues of domestic violence and diversity in educational offerings for all court officers.

• United States Coast Guard Auxiliary: Diversity Directorate Assistant Branch Chief Atlantic West (2014 – present). Tasked with implementing the directive of the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard to ensure promoting an inclusive atmosphere of acceptance and respect and creating an environment which fosters an appreciation of the values, skills, and abilities of each individual.

• Civil Rights Coordinator U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary – 8th Western Rivers Region: (2015 – present). Responsible for carrying out the spirit and intent of the Coast Guard's equal opportunity program. Auxiliary Civil Rights Coordinator is an adjunct member of the Coast Guard district's civil rights program staff and is responsible for administering equal opportunity policies within the Region, and investigating discrimination and sexual harassment complaints.

• Wisconsin Historical Society Board of Curators: Curator (2015 – present). Recognized for membership as a community leader to aid in the Society’s mission. Wisconsin Historical Society was founded in 1846, and is ranked as one of the largest, most active, and diversified state historical societies in the nation. Managing an annual budget in excess of $21 million guided by the firm belief that increasing the public's knowledge of history has profound societal, cultural, and economic benefit.

Judicial Leadership | Advancing the Field Committed to advancing judicial leadership and public service across 30+ years of experience in the courts. • National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ): Board Member • Commission on Judicial Elections and Ethics: Member • Wisconsin Judicial College: Associate Dean (1996 – 2002) • Wisconsin Bar Access to Justice Commission: Member • State Bar Legal Assistance Committee: Member • Uniform Bond Committee: Member • AFCC Think Tank on Shared Parenting: Steering Committee Member • Working Group to Develop Guide to Good Practice on the application Article 13 (1) (b) in the 1980

Convention on the Civil Aspects of Child Abduction: US Representative

Hon. Ramona A. Gonzalez 1628 Madison Street, La Crosse, WI 54601 (608) 780-3881 | JudgeRamonaGonzalez@gmail.com Page 2 THEMES cont’d Vulnerable Populations | Championing for the Rights of Others A thought-leader and advocate at a community, regional, state, and national level for keeping children safe and families strong, and providing service to other vulnerable populations such as the elderly and homeless. • NCJFCJ Family Violence and Domestic Relations Advisory Committee: Member, Vice-Chair and

Chair (2006 – 2015) • Wisconsin Judicial Committee on Child Welfare: Member (2012 – present) • Wisconsin Judicial Committee to Improve Interpretation and Translation: Member (2006 – 2012) • Latin American Judges’ Seminar on the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of

International Child Abduction: US Representative (2004) • The Hague Project for International Co-Operation and the Protection of Children: Expert Judge

Participant (2005) • Judges Seminar on the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child

Abduction, Noordwijk, the Netherlands: US Representative (2003) • US Judicial Advisory Council on International Family Abduction: Member Judge (ongoing) • National Judicial Institute on Domestic Violence: Faculty (ongoing) • Wisconsin Bar Access to Justice Study Committee: Member (2006-2007) • Wisconsin Bar Legal Assistance Committee: Judicial Member (2006-2009) • Wisconsin Call to Action Group on Domestic Violence and Child Abuse: Member ((2004-2006) • Wisconsin Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force: Member (ongoing) • Legislative Committee on Relative Caregivers: Public Member (2003)

Speaking | A Leading Voice Frequent speaker, trainer, and contributor participating in 10+ roundtable, presentations, conferences, or other speaking engagements for each of the last five years. • Major League Baseball (MLB) Rookie Development Program – Presentation on Domestic Violence

and Sexual Assault, Santa Domingo, DR (2015, 2016) • The Prosecutors’ Resource on Violence Against Women – Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape:

Criminal Justice and Medical Consequences of Sexual Assault, Monrovia, Liberia: Trainer (2010) • 6th International Seminar: Mexico – United States: 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of

International Child Abduction, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon & Guanajuato: Speaker (2009) • Secretary of State’s Advisory Committee on Private International Law Study Group: Participant

(2008) • International Trainer on Hague Private Conference on Civil Child Abductions: Ongoing

Diversity | Paving Paths for Others Motivated from personal experiences to advance the equality for all in every facet of professional work. Broke barriers in La Crosse County as the first female judge, and first woman of color to hold an elected position. • NCJFCJ Board of Directors Diversity Committee: Member • United States Coast Guard Auxiliary: Diversity Directorate, Civil Rights Coordinator • Hmong Mutual Assistance Association, Inc.: Recognition of Sensitivity and Appreciation of Diversity

of Culture and Lifestyles of Southeast Asian Refugees (2003) • Wisconsin State Bar Participation of Women in the Bar Committee: Member (1995 – 1998) • Outstanding Women Award: Coulee Region YWCA (1998)

Hon. Ramona A. Gonzalez 1628 Madison Street, La Crosse, WI 54601 (608) 780-3881 | JudgeRamonaGonzalez@gmail.com Page 3 EXPERIENCE Presiding Judge, State of Wisconsin Circuit Court 1995 – Present La Crosse County Circuit Court

Judicial Court Commissioner 1982 – 1995 La Crosse County Circuit Court, Hon. Peter G. Pappas

Attorney in Private Practice 1982 – 1995 Stuber and Gonzalez | Sauer, Becker, Flanagan & Lynch | Bosshard

Law Clerk 1981 – 1982 La Crosse County Circuit Court

EDUCATION Juris Doctor 1981 Marquette University Law School, Milwaukee, WI

Bachelor of Arts, Political Science 1978 Loyola University, Chicago, IL

SELECT AWARDS, HONORS, AND RECOGNITIONS A full list of awards, honors, and recognitions is available upon request. • Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI): 2014 Angel in Adoption™ award • State Bar of Wisconsin: President Award (2006) • YWCA Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA): Award for Exceptional Leadership, Support,

and Promotion of YWCA CASA for Kids program (2004) • Wisconsin Law Journal: Ten Exceptional Women in the Law (2003) • American Academy of Adoption Attorneys: Distinguished Jurist Award (2002) • University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee & the Department of Public Instruction: Award of Excellence

recognizing dedication to jurisprudence and serving as an exemplary role model to young women in Wisconsin (1998)

JOHN JULIO ROMERO, JR. 5100 2nd St. NW Albuquerque, NM 87107-4009 albdjjr@nmcourts.gov

EDUCATION

JURIS DOCTOR UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO SCHOOL OF LAW Albuquerque, New Mexico 1985

Margaret Keiper Dailey Award for Awareness of Social Problems and Dedication to a professional responsibility to provide equal justice for all.

MASTER OF ARTS IN UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION Albuquerque, New Mexico 1977

Pi Alpha Alpha, National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration; A average in all graduate school courses. BACHELOR OF ARTS UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO (LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES) Albuquerque, New Mexico 1970

EXPERIENCE

DISTRICT COURT JUDGE Albuquerque, New Mexico 2003 to present

Trial court judge presiding over juvenile justice, child welfare and adoption matters. I actively participate with other stakeholders in the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative and in the local Child Welfare Improvement Plan collaborative. THERAPUTIC COURT JUDGE Albuquerque, New Mexico

2004 to present

Member of the multi-agency team that developed and implemented the Program for the Empowerment of Girls (P.E.G.), an intensive probation and helping court program for adjudicated juvenile justice girls and their parents. I continue to serve as the only Presiding

P.E.G. Court Judge.

CHILDREN’S COURT IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION 2005 to 2015 Co-Chair of the New Mexico Supreme Court’s Commission tasked with assessing and improving judicial proceedings related to child abuse and neglect, foster care, and adoption. The Commission develops innovative approaches that advance court, agency, and stakeholder collaboration in improving the safety, permanency, and well being of children and families in the child welfare system.

JOHN JULIO ROMERO, JR. Page - 2 -

EXPERIENCE - continued NEW MEXICO TRIBAL-STATE JUDICIAL CONSORTIUM 2004 to 2015 The Consortium, a coalition of State and Tribal Court Judges, is a collaborative effort between the New Mexico Supreme Court and the Colorado-New Mexico Indian Court Judges Association. The Consortium facilitates communication between State and Tribal judicial systems to improve awareness and to exchange information about the different judicial and legal systems in the various Tribes and Pueblos and in the State. Its initial purpose was to address questions of jurisdiction and sovereignty in child abuse and neglect, juvenile justice and family law cases.

PRIVATE PRACTICE ATTORNEY Albuquerque, New Mexico

1986 to 2003 Represented parties in Family Law matters, including: serving as Guardian ad Litem for children of divorcing parents; establishing paternity; adjudicating child support; dissolution of marriage; adoption; termination of parental rights; juvenile justice adjudication; mediation, arbitration

and collaborative divorce. U.S. NAVAL OFFICER 1971 to 1974

Served on active duty during the Vietnam era in Florida, Virginia, Rhode Island, California and the Republic of the Philippines. Assignments in Southeast Asia included Communication Officer, Officer in Charge of Receiver Site, Officer in Charge of Transmitter Facility, Top Secret Control Officer, Judge Advocate General Investigative Officer and Assistant Officer in Charge of Naval Radio Transmitter Facility, Republic of the Philippines.

ACHIEVEMENTS Certified Child Welfare Law Specialist - First jurist in the country to be certified by the ABA-accredited National Association of Counsel for Children. (2006) Child Abuse and Neglect Institute, National Counsel of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, Reno, NV - 2008 Graduate, 1st National Judicial Leadership Conference on the Protection of Children

Minneapolis, MN (2005) - Judicial Delegate 2nd National Judicial Leadership Conference on the Protection of Children

New York, NY (2007) – Judicial Delegate 3rd National Judicial Leadership Conference on the Protection of Children

Austin, TX (2009) – Judicial Delegate National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges

• Member, Board of Directors • Member, Juvenile and Family Law Department Advisory Committee • Member, RESOURCE GUIDELINES: Improving Court Practice in Child Abuse

and Neglect Cases, Revision Committee • Member, Family Violence Department Advisory Committee

JOHN JULIO ROMERO, JR. Page - 3 -

ACHIEVEMENTS - continued Anne E. Casey Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative – Bernalillo County Chair, Steering Committee

Corinne Wolfe Center for Child and Family Justice – Steering Committee member Children’s Law Section of the State Bar – Board of Directors 2004-2008; 2010 to 2015

2004 Mitchell Wendell Jurist of the Year – Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (AAICPC) 2007 Spirit Advocacy Award - New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence

2001 Lawyer of the Year Award - Albuquerque Bar Association 2014 Outstanding Judge – Albuquerque Bar Association New Mexico Collaborative Law, Inc. (Founding Board Member ) New Futures, Inc. Board of Directors (1989 – 1995; President 1994-1995) Wings Ministry, Inc. Board of Directors (2005 to 2011)

New Mexico Christian Legal Aid, Inc. (Organizing Committee Member and member Board of Directors)

TRAININGS PRESENTED

• National Judicial Institute on Domestic Child Sex Trafficking – Faculty Member. A highly

interactive Institute that uses hypothetical case scenarios, small group discussion, survivor testimony, practical courtroom exercises, and “mini” lectures to provide new and experienced juvenile and family court judges with the tools they need to develop or enhance their ability to identify children who are being trafficked or are at risk for victimization. Judges are presented with effective intervention strategies that respond to the individualized needs of each victim and a stronger sense of their courtroom and community roles to help prevent and end domestic child sex trafficking. (Reno, NV – 2014, Minneapolis, MN - 2015, Reno, NV – 2016, Washington, DC – 2016, Austin, TX – 2017, San Diego, CA - 2017)

• Understanding and Applying ICWA at the Local Level: Purpose, Strategies and Practice . 2014 Idaho Indian Child Welfare Conference. An interactive workshop addressing the historical, philosophical, and legal basis for the Indian Child Welfare Act, along with a focus on the role of the judge in ensuring positive outcomes for Indian children, their families and tribes. (Lewiston, ID – 2014)

• Institute for New Juvenile and Family Court Judges – Faculty Member. The curriculum for this

intensive Institute is designed to encourage core competencies for juvenile and family court judges, and includes coverage of judicial leadership and the role of the judge, ethics, decision- making, evidence, child and adolescent development, schools and the court, trauma-informed justice, abuse and neglect, delinquency, interpersonal violence, custody, divorce, self-represented litigants, and dealing with the media. (Reno, NV – 2014, 2015 and 2017)

JOHN JULIO ROMERO, JR. Page - 4 -

TRAININGS PRESENTED - continued

• Understanding and Planning to meet the needs of Juvenile Justice Females - A discussion of the

unique needs and strengths of girls in the juvenile justice system, the necessity of female responsive programming and the specialized training required to promote positive outcomes for girls. (Albuquerque, NM - 2006, 2008 and 2009; Austin, TX 2008; Reno, NV 2008; Lake of the Ozarks, MO - 2008)

• The Adoption and Safe Families Act - A Review of the Child Welfare System with a focus on child welfare before ASFA, the need for ASFA, changes mandated by ASFA, the connection between ASFA and Federal dollars (Title IV-E) for the states and the role of Federal Reviews (CFSR). (Albuquerque, NM 2008 and 2009; Sioux Falls, SD - 2008)

• Child Abuse and Neglect: Essential Information for Practicing and Presiding in Child Welfare

Cases - Faculty presenter in annual child welfare core curriculum for judges and lawyers in New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM – annually since 2008)

• The Indian Child Welfare Act: Grudging Compliance or Constructive Implementation? A review of

the history and purpose of the ICWA, its application, the relationship between ASFA & ICWA and a discussion of its effectiveness. (Albuquerque, NM - 2008 and 2009; Sioux Falls, SD - 2008 Charlottesville, VA - 2009)

• Clinical Guidance for Courts’ Decisions about Juveniles’ Competence to Stand Trial and

Amenability Cases - Co-presenter with Thomas Grisso, Ph.D., regarding adolescent brain development and legal culpability in the context of New Mexico’s Children’s Code and Children’s Court Rules. (Albuquerque, NM – 2008)

• Beyond the Basics: From Child Welfare to Collaborative Systems of Care for Foster Youth – An

interactive discussion of the importance of collaboration between agency, court and school systems in improving educational outcomes for children in foster care. (Team presentation at the Advancing School Mental Health Conference, Albuquerque, NM – 2010)

• The Role of Foster Parents in Court - An historical overview of foster parenting and a discussion

concerning the requirements of foster parent participation in court by ASFA, Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act of 2006, and state law. (Albuquerque, NM - 2007 and 2008; Savannah, GA - 2008)

• Adoption Law: Start to Finish – Faculty co-presenter addressing adoption essentials, adoption

options, termination of parental rights, interstate adoption issues, international adoptions, ethical guidelines, the roles of various adoption professionals, and what to do if something goes wrong. (Albuquerque, NM – 2010)

• Congratulations, Your Adoption is Approved! A Judicial Perspective on Best Practices in Adoption Finalization - Co-presenter with the Honorable M. Monica Zamora regarding the basic provisions of the Adoption Act and the Adoption Act Regulations which must be addressed and satisfied prior to a successful finalization and Decree of Adoption. (Albuquerque, NM - 2007)

• Adoption with Continuing Contact – Overview and interactive discussion around the open

adoption provisions of the New Mexico Adoption Act, NMSA 1978, §32A-5-35. (Albuquerque, NM - 2006)