Howard William Babcock

Howard William Babcock was admitted to the Nevada bar on December 31, 1948, and built his legal career in Las Vegas during the years of the city's rapid postwar growth. His standing in the profession led to his appointment as United States Attorney for the District of Nevada, a post he held from 1958 to 1961, representing the federal government in the state during a formative period for its courts and its economy.

Babcock was appointed to the Eighth Judicial District Court in Clark County on July 1, 1967, and won election to the seat in 1968. He served nearly two decades on the district bench until his death in 1986, presiding over some of the most significant litigation of his era, including matters involving Howard Hughes and disputes touching the Las Vegas Strip. Colleagues recalled him as tireless on the bench, always prepared and in full command of the legal issues before him.

Remembered by the Nevada legal community as 'a gentleman at all costs,' Babcock was admired for his honesty, his truthfulness, and his willingness to give straight answers to the questions put to him. An avid golfer away from the courthouse, he left a lasting mark on the state's judiciary and is counted among the lawyers recognized as having helped shape Nevada's legal history.