Las Vegas, Nev. March 12, 2026
Today, Governor Joe Lombardo announced the appointment of Peter Thunell to serve as a judge in the Eighth Judicial District Court, Department 26. Thunell was appointed to the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Gloria Sturman.
“Peter Thunell has spent the past 18 years as a dedicated public servant pursuing justice and protecting victims in our communities," said Governor Lombardo. “His courtroom experience, leadership within the District Attorney’s Office, and commitment to public safety make him well qualified to serve the people of Nevada on the bench.”
"I'm honored to receive this appointment to the bench from Governor Lombardo,” said Thunell. “My wife Tammy and I have spent the last two decades raising our four kids in Clark County and I look forward to serving our community. As the District Court Judge in Department 26 I will strive to ensure every person who enters my courtroom feels that they have had an opportunity to be heard."
Thunell previously served as Chief Deputy District Attorney in the Clark County District Attorney’s Office, where he was Team Chief for the Special Victims Unit. During his tenure with the Clark County District Attorney’s Office, Thunell has held several leadership roles, including Team Chief over a general litigation unit responsible for prosecutions across six local courts and Team Chief of the Outlying Team, which handled cases in communities outside of Las Vegas. He has also served as Chief Deputy over VICE prosecutions and worked in both the Case Assessment and Gang Units.
Before joining the District Attorney’s Office, Thunell worked as a law clerk at a law firm in Salt Lake City before moving to Las Vegas, where he passed the Nevada Bar and worked as an associate at the law firm Alverson, Taylor, Mortenson & Sanders. Thunell has extensive trial experience, having participated in nearly 50 jury trials throughout his career.
Thunell graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and attended law school at the S.J. Quinney School of Law at the University of Utah.
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