Cedric A Kerns - a Henderson, United States Criminal Defense Lawyer

Henderson Criminal Defense Lawyer

Updated: 03/16/2026

Areas of Practice

Criminal Defense
Insurance Subrogation
Personal Injury

Litigation: 100%

Attorney Information

Overview

Cedric A. Kerns came to Las Vegas in 1985 to attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he was a member of the nationally ranked debate team before graduating in 1989. He received his juris doctorate in 1992 from the University of San Diego.

Cedric was a partner and co-founder of the law office of Kerns and Lybarger, where he focused on criminal defense and domestic law. While in private practice, he was appointed as a member of the Nevada Supreme Court Task Force for the "Study of Economic Bias in the Justice System".

Cedric was elected to department 5 of the Las Vegas Municipal Court in 1997 at the age of 31, making him the youngest judge on the bench in the State of Nevada. While on the bench he received numerous recognitions for the work that he did within the community of Las Vegas. Some of the highlighted awards include being chosen "Judge of the Year" in 2006 by the Nevada Judges Association. The Foundation for Recovery recognized him by presenting him with the "Community Partner Award" for the year of 2009. Community Counseling Center recognized him with his outside the box thinking, by presenting him with the 2013 "Vision Award." He was also recognized by the Nevada Supreme Court in 2013 by being the first limited jurisdiction judge to receive the "Legacy of Justice Award", this award is presented to a person within the judiciary whose career has resulted in significant and innovation improvements in the justice system to the benefit of the citizens of Nevada. In 2016, he was the recipient of the Foundation for Recovery's "Brick Award", the highest honor bestowed by the foundation. During his tenure on the bench, he was recognized on three different occasions by the Mayor and City Council with a "Judge Cedric A. Kerns Day". He has also presented at numerous State Judicial Conferences, National Conferences and has presented at the National Judicial College.

After serving 27 years on the bench he retired and joined the firm of Watkins & Letofsky, LLP. He is now a partner in the Nevada office of Watkins, Letofsky & Kerns, LLP., practicing primarily in criminal defense and insurance subrogation.

Awards and Honors

Honors

Nevada Judges Association "Judge of the year", 2006 - Present
Nevada Supreme Court "Legacy of Justice Award", 2013 - Present
Foundation for Recovery "Brick Award", 2016 - Present

Education

Legal Education
- University of San Diego School of Law, San Diego, California
  J.D.
Non Legal Education
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1989
  B.A.
  Major: Business Management

Current Employment Position(s)

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Partner
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Past Positions

Law Offices of Kerns and Lybarger, Partner, 1992 - 1997
City of Las Vegas, Judge, 1997 - 2024

Classes and Seminars

"Contempt", Nevada Supreme Court AOC, 2025
"Contempt Powers", Nevada AOC, 2019
"Youth Offenders and What Works", Upper Midwest Drug Court Profession Training, 2017
"DUI Courts and Habitual Offenders", NHRSA - Nevada, 2006

Other Affiliations

Advisory Board Member Mission High School, first public recovery high school in the United Sates, 2018 - Present
Advisory Board Member TiNHiH (There is No Hero in Heroine), local advocacy substance use prevention organization, 2019 - Present
Nevada Judges of LImited Jurisdiction, President 2005, 1997 - 2024
Nevada Supreme Court Judicial Council Education Funding Committee - termed out, 2015 - 2019

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Contact

Henderson, NV

8935 S. Pecos Rd.
Suite 22A
Henderson, NV 89074

Directions

Phone: 702-901-7553

Fax: 702-974-1297

Email: Send a message

Website: https://www.wl-llp.com

Credit Cards Accepted
Free Consultations

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Cedric A Kerns - Henderson, NV