Partner at Watkins, Letofsky & Kerns LLP.| Former Judge, Las Vegas Municipal Court.

With a distinguished career spanning over three decades in the legal and judicial fields, Mr. Kerns has been a dedicated advocate for justice, community empowerment, and judicial education. He began his legal career as a partner at the Law Office of Kerns and Lybarger from 1992 to 1997, before making history in 1997 when he was elected as the first Filipino-American judge in the Las Vegas Municipal Court, Department 5. He served with distinction until his retirement in 2024.

Throughout his tenure on the bench, he was honored with various leadership roles, including serving as Chief Judge (2015-2017) of the Las Vegas Municipal Court. His judicial leadership was further recognized in 2006 when he was named the “Outstanding Judge of the Year” by the Nevada Judges Association, an award that acknowledged his commitment to both the judiciary and the community. He also received several prestigious awards, including the 2009 “Community Partner Award” from the Foundation for Recovery, the 2013 “Visionary Award” from the Community Counseling Center, the 2013 “Legacy of Justice Award” from the Nevada Supreme Court, and the 2016 “Brick Award” from the Foundation for Recovery—the highest honor bestowed by the organization.

Beyond his judicial service, He had been an active contributor to the field of judicial education. He had completed over 1,000 hours of judicial training, earning the Outstanding Achievement in Judicial Education recognition in 2022. He has also presented at numerous state and national judicial conferences, including topics on substance abuse in the legal community, youth offenders, and specialty courts.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (1989), and a Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego (1992). 

After retiring from the bench in 2024, He transitioned into private practice as a partner, where he continues to serve clients with the same dedication that marked his judicial career.