David Zenoff

David Zenoff was born on March 8, 1916, in Amherst, Wisconsin, and earned his law degree from the University of Wisconsin. During World War II he served as a major in the United States Marine Corps, earning a Bronze Star for his service. He was admitted to the Nevada bar in 1948 and built his legal career in Las Vegas.

Zenoff went on to serve on the bench in Nevada, spending several years as a district court judge - where he heard juvenile matters in the era before the establishment of a dedicated family court - before being appointed to the Nevada Supreme Court, Seat D, on April 26, 1965, by Governor Grant Sawyer. He served as a justice of the state's highest court until 1977. On the Supreme Court he was known as a champion of freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

Among his lasting contributions, Zenoff was one of the founders of the juvenile justice system in Clark County, Nevada, and the county's juvenile detention center, David Zenoff Hall, was named in his honor. He was also known publicly for presiding over the wedding of Elvis and Priscilla Presley on May 1, 1967, and over the divorce of Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. He died on October 3, 2005, at the age of 89.