In June, Tina Talim made history as the first Indian American appointed to a judicial position in Nevada, joining the Eighth Judicial District Court. Talim’s appointment to Department 14, part of a busy court system where 58 judges handle nearly 100,000 cases annually, was a landmark moment for the state, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Talim, who replaced Adriana Escobar in the role, now faces the challenge of defending her seat in the upcoming November 5 election. She will compete against Alan Lefebvre, a former president of the State Bar of Nevada.
Before her judicial appointment, Talim was the team chief for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Unit in the Clark County District Attorney’s Office, where she became one of the longest-serving team chiefs, prosecuting over 5,000 felony cases. Talim emphasized her commitment to maintaining efficiency in the District Court and believes it is crucial to inform voters about her background and values. After moving from Southern California, where her parents opened the first Indian restaurant in West Los Angeles, Talim chose to make Clark County her home.
Talim acknowledges the significance of her role as Nevada’s first Indian-American judge, expressing both pride and the weight of responsibility. While the historical aspect was not her primary motivation, she recognizes its importance and aims to be a role model for future attorneys and judges, including her twin daughters, who are considering careers in medicine.
Talim emigrated to the U.S. as a child and pursued her education at UCLA and Pepperdine School of Law. During law school, she gained experience with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office and a family law firm. After graduating, she worked in civil litigation, focusing on personal injury and mass tobacco litigation.
In 2004, Talim moved to Las Vegas, where she began her career in civil litigation before joining the Clark County District Attorney’s Office in 2005. She aimed to diversify the office and enhance outreach to Clark County’s varied communities, believing that a representative office builds trust with the public.
Over the years, Talim advanced from general litigation to the HIDTA Unit, leading efforts against major drug trafficking organizations. In 2023, she took on a role overseeing community outreach for the District Attorney’s Office, working on initiatives to encourage first-generation students to pursue law careers and promoting drug abuse education.
Talim’s career has been marked by significant achievements, including receiving the “Prosecutor of the Year” award twice and the Exemplary Service award from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. In 2012, she was honored with the “Outstanding Investigative Effort” award by the Office of President Barack Obama for her work against a major drug cartel. She continues to contribute as a guest speaker at the William S. Boyd School of Law and various community organizations.
