Biographical Sketch

Justice of the Peace Susan Deriso was elected for a 6-year term at Sparks Justice Court, Department 1, in November 2000, taking the bench in January 2001.  Judge Deriso was re-elected in November 2006 for her second 6-year term, effective January 2007.  Judge Deriso comes to the bench from the Reno Justice Court after 18 years; 15 of those years as Chief Civil Clerk.

Judge Deriso has been very active with the Nevada Association of Court Career Advancement (NACCA), serving as a member, presenter, and officer for the past 20 years.  She is past NACCA Vice President, served on the Education Committee, and past NACCA "Member of the Year."

Judge Deriso has been a member of the Nevada Judges of Limited Jurisdiction (NJLJ) for 10 years and is currently on the Board of Directors as well as a Chariman of the Education Committee.  Judge Deriso was honored as Judge of the Year at the NJLJ winter conference in Las Vegas on January 25, 2009.  She was selected based on her judicial experience/contributions as well as her community involvement.

Judge Deriso is also very active in her community.  She served as Treasurer and is currently President of the Sparks Sertoma, a service organization providing individual scholarships for education in the speech and hearing fields, as well as providing hearing aids and assistance for children in Washoe County as its top priority.  In 2006 she was honored as Sertoman of the Year.  Judge Deriso is President of the Spanish Springs High School Academic Boosters with the primary focus on raising money to sponsor scholarships for seniors and hosting the Safe and Sober graduation night.  She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Sparks Traffic Survival School, promoting safe driving for teens.