Judge Peter Thunell was appointed to the Eighth Judicial District Court, Department 26, by Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo in March 2026 to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Gloria Sturman. 

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Judge Thunell brings nearly two decades of courtroom experience and public service to the bench. Prior to his appointment, he served as Chief Deputy District Attorney in the Clark County District Attorney’s Office, where he was Team Chief for the Special Victims Unit, overseeing prosecutions involving crimes against children and vulnerable victims. 

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During his tenure with the District Attorney’s Office, Judge Thunell held several leadership roles. In addition to leading the Special Victims Unit, he served as Team Chief of a general litigation unit responsible for prosecutions across multiple courts and also led the Outlying Team, handling cases in communities outside the Las Vegas Valley. He also supervised VICE prosecutions and worked in both the Case Assessment and Gang Units, gaining extensive experience across many areas of criminal law.