New federal public defender appointed

9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco announced Wednesday that it has nominated Assistant Federal Public Defender Rene Valladares to replace Franny Forsman, the federal public defender for Nevada since 1989. Forsman, 64, is retiring May 30.

Valladares must undergo an FBI background check before the court can appoint him to the position. Valladares, a native of Nicaragua, has worked as an assistant federal public defender in Las Vegas for 16 years and is chief of the trial unit in Las Vegas. He is married to District Judge Linda Bell.

“It is a great honor for me to receive this nomination,” he said. “It is humbling to lead an office that has such first-rate lawyers and great staff. I will do my utmost to continue the tradition of total commitment to indigent defense fostered by Franny Forsman.” The federal public defender in Nevada oversees about 95 employees in Las Vegas and Reno.