NEVADA
NEVADA
Local litigation firms Local litigation stars Steve Morris
Morris Peterson
Antitrust, Commercial Litigation, Insurance, Products
Highly recommended John Bailey Liability
Bailey Kennedy
Bailey Kennedy Commercial Litigation John Mowbray
Fennemore Craig
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck Todd Bice Commercial Litigation, Construction Law
Pisanelli Bice
Campbell & Williams Commercial Litigation Don Nomura
Laxalt & Nomura
Holland & Hart Laurel Davis Commercial Litigation, Products Liability,
Fennemore Craig Professional Malpractice
Kemp Jones & Coulthard Bankruptcy, Creditors’ Rights
George Ogilvie
Lionel Sawyer & Collins Cam Ferenbach McDonald Carano Wilson
Lionel Sawyer & Collins Commercial Litigation, Construction Litigation
McDonald Carano Wilson
Commercial Litigation
Stephen Peek
Santoro Driggs Walch Kearney Holley & Thompson
David Frederick Holland & Hart
Lionel Sawyer & Collins Commercial Litigation
Appellate, Commercial Litigation, Insurance
Recommended James Pisanelli
Andrew Gordon Pisanelli Bice
Jolley Urga Wirth Woodbury & Standish McDonald Carano Wilson Commercial Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Jones Vargas Daniel Polsenberg
Von Heinz Lewis & Roca
Laxalt & Nomura Lewis & Roca Appellate
Commercial Litigation, Insurance, Securities
Lewis & Roca Patrick Reilly
Paul Hejmanowski Holland & Hart
Morris Peterson Lionel Sawyer & Collins Commercial Litigation, Real Estate
Commercial Litigation
Pisanelli Bice Nicholas Santoro
Mark Hutchison Santoro Driggs Walch Kearney Holley & Thompson
Hutchison & Steffen Commercial Litigation, Professional Liability
Commercial Litigation, Medical Malpractice,
Employment Frank Schreck
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Rodney Jean Gaming Law
Lionel Sawyer & Collins
Bankruptcy Litigation, Commercial Litigation Jeff Silvestri
McDonald Carano Wilson
J Randall Jones Appellate, Commercial Litigation
Kemp Jones
Commercial Litigation, Construction Litigation Todd Touton
Lionel Sawyer & Collins
Mark Jones Commercial Litigation, Construction Litigation
Kemp Jones
Commercial Litigation, Construction Litigation William Urga
Jolley Urga Wirth Woodbury & Standish
Will Kemp Business Litigation
Kemp Jones
Commercial Litigation James Whitmire
Santoro Driggs Walch Kearney Holley & Thompson
Dennis Kennedy Complex Commercial Litigation, Insurance
Bailey Kennedy
Antitrust, Commercial Litigation J Colby Williams
Campbell & Williams
Kirk Lenhard Appellate
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Commercial Litigation
Samuel Lionel
Lionel Sawyer & Collins
Commercial Litigation
288
NEVADA
Future stars
John Delikanakis
Snell & Wilmer
Jennifer Cole Dorsey
Kemp Jones & Coulthard
Todd Kennedy
Lionel Sawyer & Collins
Jacquelyn Leleu
McDonald Carano Wilson
Melissa Orien
Holland & Hart
Construction Litigation
Angela Turriciano Otto
Browstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
L Christopher Rose
Jolley Urga Wirth Woodbury & Standish
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO AMERICA’S LEADING LITIGATION FIRMS & ATTORNEYS 289
NEVADA
Nevada crisis management and has secured notable
victories against corporate giants including
Exxon-Mobil and Chrysler.
As a former federal prosecutor with the
Department of Justice, Campbell is highly
Nevada firms are still busy sifting through ongoing litigation related to stalled regarded for his expertise in white-collar
commercial developments and business ventures, Chapter 11 filings and foreclo- investigations and has built a reputation as
one of the preeminent personal injury
sures in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, while also benefiting from a solid lawyers in the state in wrongful death and
inventory of traditional casework including insurance claims, products liability, products liability claims. Williams is a
personal injury, medical malpractice and employment matters. Many firms have highly accomplished trial and appellate
also developed expert energy, utility, regulatory and government relations prac- lawyer who has been responsible for
tices. Having avoiding the large influx of national firms like neighboring Arizona, precedent-setting cases within the state and
specializes in commercial litigation claims,
the state’s legal market retains a balanced footing with local talent still the first products liability, employment and
choice. professional liability.
Highly recommended firms litigation firm with a truly national scope. Holland & Hart
Operating out of Las Vegas and Reno, Founded in 1947, Holland & Hart has since
Bailey Kennedy Brownstein Hyatt is sought out for its expanded to over 400 lawyers in 15 offices
Established in 2001, the Las Vegas-based sophisticated gaming and entertainment law across the Rocky Mountains, Southwest and
firm of Bailey Kennedy has quickly carved practices along with its real estate, Washington DC. While historically the firm
out an impressive name in litigation in the employment, labor, bankruptcy, securities has been turned to for its oil, gas, energy
competitive Nevada legal market. The 12- fraud, white-collar and environmental and natural resource expertise, Holland &
attorney firm is led by founder John Bailey expertise. As one large corporate client Hart has also built a significant commercial
and name partner Dennis Kennedy, both of summarizes “We needed a firm with multi- litigation practice, with skilled lawyers
whom hold prominent reputations within disciplinary talent who could handle handling a range of matters including
the state. The firm services both regional complex cases and could be quick and products liability, intellectual property,
and national clients and has steadily built up nimble. Sometimes we want very aggressive insurance, employment, construction and
in presence in health care and gaming while action and at other times very conservative real estate matters. The firm has three
providing high-quality litigation services in action. Brownstein has handled all offices within Nevada alone including
areas including corporate disputes, situations well when needed. They are Carson City, Las Vegas and Reno. Top talent
insurance coverage, products liability, real excellent.” at the firm includes former deputy district
estate, mass torts, RICO investigations, and With the high-profile hire of esteemed attorney Steven Peek, an expert trial lawyer
land use law. Dennis Kennedy is uniformly trial lawyer, Kirk Lenhard, Brownstein praised by peers for his skills in commercial
praised by peers for his antitrust and health further bolstered its standing in the state. disputes, finance, real estate and gaming
care expertise along with his skills Lenhard focuses on complex commercial matters, and head of the Las Vegas litigation
navigating class actions and complex cases and has tried over 175 cases to verdict group, Patrick Reilly, who is recognized for
litigation in connection with the gaming, to date. Commended by peers and clients his commercial and real estate expertise.
insurance, pharmaceutical and tobacco alike, one government agency client states, The firm is currently handling litigation
industry. John Bailey is a widely regarded “Our work followed Mr. Lenhard to the matters related to the construction of the M
Nevada litigator who specializes in firm. He is one of the top litigators in the Resort Hotel & Casino in Henderson,
commercial disputes, health care and state of Nevada and has developed an Nevada, dealing with specialized
gaming law with clients including major extensive expertise related to our issues.” As construction and damages issues and
health care providers and tourism related chair of Brownstein Hyatt’s gaming law subcontractor payment disputes of
business. group and former member of Nevada’s approximately $10 million in claims with
Recent cases include the successful Gaming Commission, partner Frank Melissa Orien as the attorney involved. In
representation of Judge Joanna Kishner in a Schreck is considered one of the top highly publicized litigation where damages
Federal lawsuit challenging the licensing and compliance experts in the could range from $50 million to $200
constitutionality of rule 4.1 of the Nevada state, routinely advising the world’s largest million, Orien is leading the team
Code of Judicial Conduct prohibiting a casinos, hotels and entertainment representing Converse Professional Group
judicial candidate from making a conglomerates. related to its services as special inspector for
“misleading statement” during a campaign. reinforced concrete at the Harmon Hotel
After the firm obtained a preliminary Campbell & Williams Tower in Las Vegas’s City Center Project.
injunction preventing the enforcement of the Although not as large as some of its Construction on the planned 60-floor
rule, the case settled with the state agreeing competitors, the boutique Las Vegas firm of Harmon Hotel was stopped in 2008 on the
not to enforce the rule against Kishner. The Campbell & Williams is considered one of 21st floor after the structural engineer
firm is also representing Universal Health the leading litigation firms in the state. determined that link beams and reinforced
Services in a case involving a challenge to Founding partners Donald Campbell and J concrete were not in compliance with
the constitutionality of a tort reform statute Colby Williams are uniformly praised by specifications. It was also determined that,
enacted by voter initiative regarding a peers who commend the team’s skill and even if the issues were remedied, the
$350,000 limitation on pain and suffering effectiveness, stating, “We have worked on building construction could not exceed 20
damages in Nevada. the same side and against the firm, and both stories and the project has since been stalled.
Campbell and Williams are tremendous
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck litigators and very good guys.” Along with Kemp Jones & Coulthard
With 11 offices across the Western US and its considerable expertise in catastrophic Based in Las Vegas, the litigation boutique
an additional one in Washington DC, personal injury and products liability of Kemp Jones & Coulthard has built a top
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck has matters, the firm is recognized for its name for itself as a plaintiffs firm
established itself as a premier Nevada strengths in commercial litigation cases and specializing in commercial disputes and
290
NEVADA
personal injury matters as well as for its real currently acting as co-counsel to the creative fortified its presence as a leader in Nevada’s
estate practice where it represents team behind the highly popular Broadway competitive litigation market in areas
defendants in suits involving contractors, musical Jersey Boys in a significant including construction, bankruptcy, eminent
developers, construction defects and title copyright case that is ongoing, and the firm domain, and natural resources development
and zoning issues. The highly skilled trio of was recently successful in a $100 million along with insurance and employment
Will Kemp, Mark Jones and J Randall Jones property ownership dispute case concerning matters. Along with statewide businesses
is viewed by peers as an impressive team, 10,000 acres located in Baja California Sur, and public agencies such as the Department
with one competitor summarizing, “All the Mexico. In addition to the dollar amount, of Transportation, the firm’s client roster
name partners are very able, effective
litigators, they should definitely be in the
highly recommended group here.”
Will Kemp is a nationally recognized mass
torts and products liability lawyer, with a
niche expertise in fire litigation, handling
“Donald are uniformly praised by peers whoCampbell &the
Williams]
Campbell and J Colby Williams [of
commend
some of the most visible fire catastrophe
cases in the country. Kemp is also widely team’s skill and effectiveness, stating, 'We have worked on the
acclaimed for his work in the recent
propofol-doping case against drug giant same side and against the firm, and both Campbell and Williams
Teva Pharmaceuticals, where a $505 million
verdict was awarded for a school principal
who was negligently infected with Hepatitis
are tremendous litigators and very good guys.’ ”
C. Mark Jones is also praised by peers for
his expertise in real estate, creditors’ rights the case was significant as it raised several includes major national and global
and title insurance defense, construction complex issues related to the international corporations including General Electric,
litigation and banking matters. Randall enforceability of injunctive relief orders Home Depot, Centex Homes, JP Morgan
Jones is a distinguished trial lawyer who has issued by a US court. and AT&T. Firm co-founder Nicholos
received numerous accolades for his role in Santoro is widely regarded for his
high-profile nationwide class actions, which McDonald Carano Wilson commercial litigation, real estate and
have resulted in landmark verdicts in several With roots dating back to 1949, McDonald professional liability expertise, and
industries, including breast implants and Carano Wilson has a longstanding foothold competitors refer to him as a “superb
diet drugs, while also handling real estate, in the Nevada litigation market. With lawyer.” Partner James Whitmire, who
bad faith insurance and wrongful death strategic expansion over the years, the firm specializes in business disputes, insurance
claims. houses over 50 lawyers in offices in Las coverage and employment law is similarly
Vegas and Reno and is considered a strong praised by peers who state, “Whitmire is a
Lionel Sawyer & Collins litigation choice for regional and national very good litigator and a great guy.” Name
Founded in 1967, the firm of Lionel Sawyer clients with diverse business interests. The partner Richard Holley specializes in
& Collins is one of Nevada’s largest firms, firm is noted for its strengths in general bankruptcy and creditor-debtor rights and
with offices in Carson City, Reno and Las commercial, real estate, environmental, was recently selected to join the prestigious
Vegas. The firm enjoys a widely respected gaming, employment and appellate matters. American College of Bankruptcy.
reputation throughout the state for its Partners Andrew Gordon and George
strengths in regulatory and licensing Ogilvie III are routinely pointed out by peers Recommended firms
requirements in the gaming industry, along who state, “Andy Gordon and George
with commercial litigation, insurance Ogilvie are great litigators, and they belong Jolley Urga Wirth Woodbury & Standish
coverage disputes, construction law, on a list of top lawyers here.” Established in 1974, Jolley Urga Wirth
environmental matters, labor, employment As managing partner of the firm, Ogilvie Woodbury & Standish has offices in Las
and real estate and land use issues. The is a highly respected Nevada practitioner Vegas and Boulder City and is a respected
firm’s talent pool includes veteran litigators who is considered an authority on full-service civil litigation firm headed by
such as Cam Ferenbach, who was the most construction litigation matters, with a focus senior attorneys deeply embedded in the
recent president of the State Bar of Nevada on both public works projects and large state’s legal environment. The firm’s widely
and who was recently selected as a US private commercial projects, while also praised co-founder William Urga is the
Magistrate Judge and will expectedly be handling energy, lender and insurance former Gaming Commissioner of the
departing the firm in late 2011. Still on the disputes. Gordon is an expert trial lawyer Nevada Gaming Commission, name partner
roster is David Frederick, an esteemed who also specializes in construction, Bruce Woodbury is the state’s longest-
appellate lawyer who has peers uniformly representing parties in some of the largest serving Clark County Commissioner,
stating, “David Frederick is an excellent construction disputes in Las Vegas including holding the position from 1981 to 2009,
appellate attorney, one of the best in the the Venetian and Bellagio hotel casinos, and Roger Wirth is the former Nevada State
state.” while also handling significant commercial Bar chairman of the practice, procedure and
As managing partner and vice-chair of the disputes for corporate giants like Exxon- legislature committee. Along with gaming
litigation department, Paul Hejmanowski is Mobil and Dillard’s department stores. As industry law, the firm is recognized for its
a highly regarded Nevada trial lawyer, head of the firm’s appellate practice, Jeff strengths in commercial litigation, real
recognized for his expertise in complex Silvestri is also pointed out by peers as “a estate, employment, finance and bankruptcy
commercial cases, lender liability, great lawyer” who specializes in both matters.
construction defects and mining royalty commercial and appellate litigation and
matters. Partner Todd Touton is a administrative law. Jones Vargas
prominent Nevada trial lawyer who With offices in Las Vegas and Reno and close
specializes in construction law, commercial Santoro Driggs Walch Kearney Holley & to 50 lawyers on hand, the firm of Jones
fraud and insurance coverage claims and Thompson Vargas has a long-standing reputation as a
Rodney Jean is recognized as a bankruptcy Founded in 1996, the firm of Santoro Driggs high-quality commercial litigation firm while
and creditor’s rights specialist. The firm is Walch Kearney Holley & Thompson swiftly also housing one of the leading government
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO AMERICA’S LEADING LITIGATION FIRMS & ATTORNEYS 291
NEVADA
relations groups in the state. With its sizable Lewis & Roca earned a notable reputation as a litigation
amount of registered lobbyists on hand, Jones Lewis & Roca has a significant presence in boutique not intimidated by large regional
Vargas is intricately involved in Nevada’s the Southwest, with more than 200 or national opponents. A seasoned Nevada
legislative processes, and its 18-lawyer attorneys across six offices servicing major litigator, Morris is referred to by peers as
government relations team specializes in key regional and national corporate clients. “one of the best attorneys in the state, an
areas including land use and zoning issues, Since its arrival in Nevada in 1999, the firm excellent lawyer” and is sought out to
election law, public utilities regulation and has opened two offices, in Las Vegas and handle complex cases involving antitrust,
the gaming industry. Top talent at the firm Reno, and has established itself as a products liability, insurance, construction,
includes highly praised attorney Michael respected commercial litigation and utilities and securities litigation. As former
Buckley, who heads the firm’s Business and transactional firm, employing talented general counsel to a large regional energy
Real Estate Transactions Practice and is locally based attorneys noted for their provider, firm co-founder William Peterson
sought after for his expertise in commercial strengths in real estate, business and is a widely accomplished trial lawyer who
acquisitions, municipal development, contract disputes, employment, gaming, specializes in utilities and energy law along
financing, permitting, lease and easement intellectual property and financial services. with complex torts and commercial
matters. As the past president of the Nevada state litigation.
bar, Daniel Polsenberg is widely admired by
Laxalt & Nomura peers who uniformly say, “Dan Polsenberg Pisanelli Bice
Founded in 1986 by two former deputy is a standout in the state for his appellate Formed in 2010 by prominent Nevada
district attorneys for Nevada, Laxalt & work.” The former president of Beckley litigators James Pisanelli and Todd Bice who
Nomura has offices in Las Vegas and Reno Singleton, which merged with Lewis & Roca departed Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
and has built a solid reputation as a civil in 2007, Polsenberg has argued over 200 to start their own partnership, the Las Vegas
litigation firm acknowledged for its skilled appeals to date. Commercial litigator Von firm of Pisanelli Bice specializes in
insurance team that navigates claims related Heinz specializes in securities fraud, commercial litigation, gaming and
to construction defects, products liability, insurance provider liability, ERISA claims entertainment, government relations, health
personal injury, along with coverage and employment discrimination, and care and construction. Pisanelli is praised
disputes and bad-faith claims. The firm also partner Thomas Ryan is noted for his for his skills in complex commercial cases,
handles general commercial disputes, real expertise in complex commercial contracts gaming industry and health care matters and
estate and employment law. Co-founder and products liability cases. Bice is recognized for his expertise in
Don Nomura is a distinguished Nevada trial constitutional and election law along with
lawyer, who handles high-stakes medical Morris Peterson First Amendment issues.
malpractice, products liability, and tort With offices in Las Vegas and Reno, the 12-
disputes and has tried over 70 cases to jury attorney firm of Morris Peterson, helmed by
verdict to date. esteemed trial lawyer Steve Morris, has
292
NEVADA
BAILEY KENNEDY Kennedy were previously shareholders in Nevada’s largest law firm, Lionel
8984 Spanish Ridge Avenue Sawyer & Collins, before Bailey ventured out to form his own practice.
Las Vegas, NV 89148
Tel: (702) 562 8820 Bailey is one of Nevada’s most renowned healthcare litigators and has been
Web: http://BaileyKennedy.com practicing law in Las Vegas for 25 years. He has been named a Super
Lawyer for the past four years. He was named a Mountain States Super
Bailey Kennedy primarily practices in general commercial litigation, appellate Lawyer in 2009 and 2010 as well as a Nevada Super Lawyer in both 2007
work, healthcare law, professional responsibility and administrative law. and 2008.
About the Firm: Bailey is a past member and two-times past chairman of the Nevada State
Bailey Kennedy was founded in 2001 by John R Bailey. Its dynamic team of Athletic Commission. He has served as vice chairman and a member of the
professionals represents, among others, top healthcare facilities, publicly- moral character and fitness committee of the Nevada State Bar for 15 years
traded corporations, gaming companies, financial institutions, travel and and is a former general counsel for the State Republican Party. He has been
tourism leaders, public entities, real estate developers, entertainment recommended to the President of the United States for a judgeship on the
concerns and entrepreneurs. US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit by senators John Ensign and
Harry Reid.
The firm is known as one of the top litigation firms in Nevada and has been
named among the state’s Best Places To Work by the Las Vegas Business Bailey is a well-known community leader. He currently serves on the board
Press, Vegas Inc magazine and Nevada Business magazine. In 2010, of directors for Shuffle Master, director and executive committee member
Bailey Kennedy was included in Inc. 5000’s annual list of America’s fastest- for the public education foundation, member of the board of trustees for the
growing private companies. College of Southern Nevada and chairman of the governing board for the
Andre Agassi Preparatory Academy.
Litigation:
For more than 30 years, Bailey Kennedy attorneys have represented Bailey Kennedy shareholder Dennis L Kennedy’s practice focuses on
companies and individuals in complex, high-stakes litigation matters in state business and professional liability litigation. He has been listed with a ‘1’
and federal courts. The firm approaches each case as though it is heading ranking in the Chambers USA category of Litigation: General/Commercial
to trial and this mindset drives its actions from the beginning of the case. A in Nevada since 2003. He has also been named one of the Top 75
consistent record of success in high-stakes cases before state and federal Mountain States Super Lawyers every year since 2007 and a Nevada Super
trial and appellate courts is regularly recognized by legal and business Lawyer in both 2007 and 2008. One of Nevada’s most renowned litigators,
publications, including Chambers USA, Super Lawyers, Benchmark Kennedy has for the past 14 consecutive years been named one of the Best
Litigation and Best Lawyers in America. Lawyers In America for Bet-The-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation
and Healthcare Law.
The team of experienced attorneys represents companies and individuals in
a wide range of civil matters including contract and commercial disputes, Kennedy has been practicing law in Nevada for 36 years, and has
corporate and partnership disputes, antitrust and unfair competition matters, represented many of the country's leading drug, food, healthcare, insurance,
fraud, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duties, theft of confidential tobacco, hotel-casino, and other companies in both the enforcement and
information and trade secrets, amongst others. defense of their rights. He is a former adjunct professor of law at UNLV’s
Boyd School of Law and currently the co-editor of the Nevada Civil Practice
Bailey Kennedy attorneys represent leaders in diverse industry sectors, Manual — the definitive authority on Nevada civil practice and procedure.
including many large, multinational companies, as well as smaller
businesses in connection with their complex commercial litigation matters. Joshua M Dickey is a shareholder in the firm and was chosen by Super
Lawyers as a Mountain States Super Lawyer in 2010, a Mountain States
Clients: Rising Star in 2009 and a Nevada Rising Star in 2008.
Bailey Kennedy’s representation includes work for clients such as:
• William T Walters Dickey’s legal practice focuses on complex civil litigation, including disputes
• MGM/City Center in such areas as commercial law, corporate law, business torts, and
• HCA Healthcare constitutional law. He is a member of the Southern Nevada Disciplinary
• Catholic Healthcare West Board of the State Bar of Nevada and is on the editorial staff of the Nevada
• Universal Health Services Civil Practice Manual.
• RJ Reynolds Tobacco
• Phillip Morris Tobacco (Altria) Sarah E Harmon became a partner at Bailey Kennedy in 2011. Harmon has
• Humana worked with the firm since 2006, and practices in the area of complex civil
litigation, including disputes in such areas as class actions, product defects,
Leadership: tobacco litigation, business torts, and commercial and corporate law.
Bailey Kennedy is led by managing shareholder John R Bailey and partners Harmon has also served on the editorial staff of the Nevada Civil Practice
Dennis L Kennedy, Joshua M Dickey and Sarah E Harmon. Bailey and Manual since 2003.
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO AMERICA’S LEADING LITIGATION FIRMS & ATTORNEYS 293