District Judge Barry Breslow launches yearlong America250 courthouse series in Reno

District Judge Barry Breslow launched a yearlong series of monthly, public events at the historic Washoe County Courthouse as part of Nevada’s America250 celebrations, saying the program is meant to help residents connect with the judiciary and the county’s legal history.

Breslow, who serves as president of the Washoe County Courthouse Historical and Preservation Society, told hosts Nancy Lewinhagen and Bethany Drysdale that the idea—developed with several collaborators—was to open the courthouse doors once a month so members of the public could tour the building, meet leaders and better understand the work done in the courts. "By getting people that are in positions of trust and responsibility into this building, they get to both see this historic courthouse, interact with some of the people that use it, and be able to promote what they do and get feedback," he said.

The judge noted the courthouse’s long institutional history: photographs of every district court judge line the halls, he said, reaching back to the territorial judges appointed by President Abraham Lincoln around 1861. He framed the building as a civic symbol intended to inspire respect for the rule of law and service: "Rather, it's to fairly and impartially adjudicate or preside over the matters that come before them and to inspire the next generation of legal and judicial leaders," Breslow said.

Breslow also addressed the role of technology in the courts. He acknowledged that artificial intelligence can "produce results on many matters that the current judicial officers handle," but emphasized the value of in-person civic contact and the courthouse’s symbolic role in public life.

The courthouse program will continue monthly through the year as part of Washoe County’s America250 activities. Hosts encouraged listeners to watch for future episodes and related podcasts that will highlight other local stories in the series.