VALERIE J. COONEY, Attorney at Law

Ms. Cooney was admitted to the practice of law in Nevada and California in 1987. She is married to the Honorable Michael E. Fondi, who retired from the First Judicial District Court bench three years ago. Valerie grew up in Colusa, California, attended California State University at San Jose undergraduate, and earned her juris doctorate degree as a member of the first graduating class from Nevada’s first law school, Old College, Nevada School of Law, in 1985.

In private practice as an associate and partner with a law firm in Carson City between 1988 and 2001, Valerie’s practices were focused largely on family law. Valerie left the law firm in January 2002 to join Volunteer Attorneys for Rural Nevadans’ (VARN), a private non-profit corporation, to assist in the development of a new legal program - The Domestic Violence Victim’s Assistance Project (DVVAP). DVVAP provides free legal services to victims of domestic violence. The project serves 11 of Nevada’s 14 rural counties.

Professional accomplishment: Serves as President of the First Judicial Bar Association, President of the Nevada Trial Lawyer’s Association, Lobbyist for the Nevada Trial Lawyers for five legislative sessions, gaining certification from the Federal Government as a STAR Instructor in Domestic Violence. Women Helping Women, Soroptomists International of Carson City, NV, 2003; Women Helping Women, Northern Nevada and California Regional Award, Soroptomists International, 2003; Access to Justice Award Recipient, State Bar of Nevada, 2002; and Barrister with the Bruce R. Thompson Chapter of the American Inns of Court since 2000.

Ms. Cooney was appointed to the Standing Committee by the State Bar of Nevada in August 2004; reappointed in 2006, 2008 & 2010. Her current term expires in December, 2011.