United States District Court
District of Nevada
Chambers of
Miranda M. Du
Chief Judge
Bruce R. Thompson
U.S. Courthouse & Federal Building
400 South Virginia Street
Reno, Nevada 89501
(775) 686-5919
May 30, 2024
PRESS RELEASE
It is with great sadness that we share with you that the Honorable Judge Larry R. Hicks passed away on May 29, 2024. Judge Hicks served the public as a United States District Court Judge since 2001, when he was appointed by President George W. Bush. He was 80 years old.
Judge Hicks leaves behind his beloved wife, three children, and ten grandchildren. He was totally devoted to his family and friends. Judge Hicks moved to Reno with his family when he was 13 and attended high school and college in Reno. He was a pillar of the Reno community—a universally respected District Attorney, partner in private practice, and federal judge.
Judge Hicks received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, and his law degree from the University of Colorado. He then served in the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office in Reno as a Deputy District Attorney, as Chief Criminal Deputy District Attorney, and then as elected District Attorney.
Upon conclusion of his term as District Attorney, Judge Hicks joined the statewide law firm of McDonald, Carano, Wilson, McCune, Bergin, Frankovich & Hicks LLP as a partner and practiced civil law there until being sworn in as a federal judge in 2001.
Judge Hicks is also a past president of the Nevada State Bar, a past president of the American Inns of Court Chapter in Reno, and a past president of the Nevada District Attorney’s Association. In 1998, he was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers. In 2020, Judge Hicks was honored to receive the Nevada State Bar’s Presidential Award as a member practicing 20 years or more whose conduct, honesty, and integrity represents the highest standards of the legal profession.
Judge Hicks presided over many notable cases during his tenure as a federal district judge. Litigants considered him fair and impartial. Other judges and court staff greatly benefitted from his leadership and kindness. And as a senior judge, he continued to take a substantial caseload along with a leadership role on court security issues, which has greatly assisted the other judges of the court.
Judge Hicks was totally devoted to the rule of law and our system of justice. He was a brilliant jurist who personified honesty, wisdom, courtesy, and unimpeachable integrity. Judge Hicks will be remembered as a mentor to everyone on the federal bench. He leaves a wonderful legacy for our legal and judicial system. In honor of Judge Hicks, the flags at the federal courthouses in Nevada will be flown at half-staff.