Election 2024

Family Law

Appointed to the Eighth Judicial District Court, Family Division, Department N in March 2023 by Governor Joe Lombardo.

Family Law, Domestic Law, Personal Injury, Juvenile Law, Criminal Law

Attorney/Owner, Paul M. Gaudet Law Practice (1992-2023)

• Focused on family law, including divorce, child custody, and other domestic matters, alongside personal injury, juvenile, and criminal law.

1. 1. Bush v. State (1996):
      • Summary:  Represented Mr and Ms. Bush, both mentally handicapped, in a termination of parental rights case. The case involved the State's efforts to terminate the couple’s parental rights, which was appealed to the Nevada Supreme Court.
      • Significance: This case inspired Gaudet to take on over 100 similar cases, often at discounted rates, advocating for parents facing the termination of their parental rights.
   2. Cannon v. Zakouto (2020):
      • Summary: Gaudet represented Ms.Cannon in a case involving protective orders, domestic violence, and contempt of court. Mr. Zakouto violated the protective order, was held in contempt and sentenced to jail. Tragically, after his early release, Mr. Zakouto murdered Ms.Cannon.
      • Significance: Professionally, these cases caused Gaudet to take careful notice of signs of domestic violence, from both victim and perpetrator perspectives, and certainly modified the way he consoled clients on domestic violence issues.
   3. State v. Whitaker (1994):

• • • Summary: Co-counsel in the defense of Mr. Whitaker, a young father accused of murdering his infant child. The State sought the death penalty, but the case was resolved by plea, resulting in a life sentence. 
    • Significance: This case, occurring before Gaudet became a father, gave him a heightened appreciation for the time spent with his own children. Professionally, it solidified his concern for the welfare of children in any family or juvenile case.

1. 1. Carly v. Carly (1993):
      • Summary: He represented Ms. Carly in a divorce case, securing primary physical custody of the children, as well as support and property division, after taking over the case on short notice.
      • Significance: This was Gaudet's first trial after being sworn in as an attorney and confirmed his desire to focus his career on family law, a passion he had held since law school.

• • Time in Court: 100% of his practice has involved litigation, primarily in trial courts.
  • Total Trials: 
    • Jury: 3
    • Bench: 20
  • Estimate percentage of time spent:
    • Domestic/family: 70%
    • Juvenile matters: 5%
    • Trial court civil: 20% 
    • Appellate civil: 5%
    • Trial court criminal: 5%

 

Licensed since 1992; over 30 years