Andrew James Puccinelli

Andrew James Puccinelli was born and raised in Elko, Nevada, graduating from Elko High School in 1971. He earned his undergraduate degree with distinction from the University of the Pacific in 1975 and received his law degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 1978. He returned home to practice law in Elko alongside his father, Leo Puccinelli, for 24 years.

In 2002 he took the bench as District Judge, presiding over the Fourth Judicial District Court, Department Two, in Elko County, where he also oversaw operations for the Family Juvenile Court. He established the Adult Drug Court program for Elko County in 2005 and the Juvenile Drug Court Program in 2007. Judge Puccinelli served on the Court Improvement Committee, the Access to Justice Commission, and the Specialty Court Funding Committee, and in January 2009 he was appointed by the Nevada Supreme Court as an alternate on the Judicial Discipline Commission.

A leader within his profession, Puccinelli served as president of the State Bar of Nevada from 1998 to 1999. Remembered as a superb lawyer and jurist, he was known for his compassion for others, intense professionalism, and exemplary work ethic. He passed away on August 8, 2011, at the age of 58.