- law dawg
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It’s not lost on us that there are few positive mentions of lawyers in the press. There are a lot of lawyers and firms out there who have done, and will continue to do, good things without getting any recognition for their efforts. Today’s post is dedicated to calling out people in our profession that are doing good things, or for pointing out what is working or even just to wax poetic about the things you like about being a lawyer in Las Vegas. Who or what made your nice list this year?
PLEASE, if you see someone praised today, and you disagree, just shut the fuck up for today only? I avoid praising people on this blog for this very reason. I do not ask for or give referrals on this blog, because of the risk of someone saying, “Actually, Bob is really awful.” I hope Law Dawg nukes that shit today.
I’ll give out some praises later, if I am confident that the recipients of my praise won’t come under fire.
This. It’s always funny to see someone who has handled the most complex cases, or multimillion dollar deals be recommended here as they are imminently qualified, just to see someone who has probably been practicing for 5 years shit on them because they are mad about how some little thing went against that person lol.
Things I love about being a lawyer:
1. Win or lose, that feeling knowing I did my very best. Usually, that means a win, but not always. I love that feeling.
2. I like the feeling after I make my clients life better.
3. Finding solutions to very difficult problems.
4. The social aspect of law.
5. 90% of opposing counsel.
6. Judges who are prepared for hearings and press counsel on difficult issues.
7. Writing.
8. Oral argument.
Things I fuckin’ hate:
1. Ingratitude.
2. Clients who try to steal my services.
3. Small, petty disputes.
3. Collecting from ingrates who are trying to steal my services.
4. About 10% of opposing counsel.
5. Entering my time.
valid
Amen. 100% agree with your list.
Criminal defense attorney here — I appreciate Alex Chen from the Clark County DA’s Office. He’s reasonable, even tempered, and does good work.
Alex Chen is great.
The lady/ladies answering the phone at the state bar office. They have to deal with crappy people on both sides of the phone, but each time I’ve called she/they have been professional and helpful.
Opposing counsel and staff who are pleasant to work with. It’s noticed and appreciated. It makes everyone’s life easier.
Judges (I’ve noticed Judge Reynolds mostly) who issue tentative rulings before hearings. Saves time, narrows arguments, and makes things easier.
Tentative ruling,
Judge Reynolds clears the pathway—
Time and focus bloom.
well-done
I like this also but would help if Reynolds would get the rulings right.
Said it before, and will say it again: Jeff Rogan.
I love his podcast!
Retired Supreme Court Justice Michael Cherry is a true mensch.
He is a great settlement judge. One of my favorite moments of the past year was when he and my client got into a yelling match. My client needed it and he wasn’t afraid to deliver it. He helped facilitate a great settlement for my client.
I will give him this. I once watched him sit as a substitute judge for one of the business court judges. I am sure he was supposed to just punt on everything, but he comes to the bench and just starts making rulings like you wouldn’t believe. The looks on those poor lawyers’ faces and the shocked clerk who was not prepared for this was priceless. The Clerk had to keep asking him to repeat different things to make sure he had it all down because it was completely out of left field. Never seen anything like it. One attorney even basically said that chambers had indicated that the matter wouldn’t be taken up at that hearing, but Cherry said “nope, its here and we are going to rule on it.” He has balls that’s for sure.
Thanks to Ishi Kunin for helping so many people become parents through surrogacy, guardianship, and adoption.
Kendel Weisenmiller (Wills, Trusts, Estates)
Judge Albertson does an excellent job at mediations
Judge Albertson does an excellent job at everything.
Ok Yianna. Maybe instead of commenting on the blog, you could go do your job and issue decisions you have been sitting on for months.
Katerhine Turpen (professional negligence)
Shea Backus (general civil)
Lisa McClane, Partner Fisher Phillips (works with Nevada Children’s project)
Kelly Dove, Snell and Wilmer, for her work with the appellate section of the bar and Inns of Court
Judge Veronica Barisich is bright, knows what she’s doing
Amen.
And willing to rule against the most powerful.
And follows procedural rules, but not in a petty or vindictive way.
she issued a decision in a case without me having to file an opposition, it made my day
It’s always pleasant to be in front of Judge Joe Hardy
he sanctioned opposition counsel in a case I was in when I didn’t even ask for a sanction, it was really nice to see a judge hold someone accountable for being a bad lawyer, hopefully it was a wakeup call
Judge Jasmin Lily Spells is wonderful
I really like her as a judge, she has her decisions written out and all I have to do is show up and listen
Judge Erika Mendoza is hard working. She is new to Civil, but she works very heard at getting to the correct ruling.
*hard
Meng Zhong is always extremely professional
Sam Marshall. A scholar and a gentleman.
Justice Nancy Becker (Ret.). One of the brightest legal minds in Nevada, with IQ and emotional intelligence equally yoked. A treasure.
Ashlee Vasquez, Meredith Weiner, Katherine Provost just to name a few. Practicing Family law is TOUGH and it’s even tougher to find Opposing Counsel who don’t play dirty or make things personal. Super big shout out to these lovely ladies who make it a pleasure to work with and elevate the practice.
Katherine is one of my favorite people.
Aimee Clark-Newberry. Extremely hard working and reasonable adversary.
I used to have a lot of cases with Aimee as co-defense counsel. I concur with all of the above.
Commissioner James Fontano. He has cleared what was a nearly six month backlog in probate, all while handling a case load that should be handled by three commissioners. He is kind and patient, but firm, with pro pers. He is always well prepared and keeps things moving on Friday mornings. On top of all that, he often writes his own opinions in disputed matters. He has to be one of the most efficient people in Nevada’s legal profession. He is not paid enough for what he delivers.
On a related note, what’s the status on hiring the 2nd probate commissioner? I remember that they posted the job opening about 2-3 months ago from now; just wondering if anyone on the inside or heavily invested in probate law knows what’s going on.
There is a pending offer to one of the candidates.
I second/third/fourth James Fontano as the probate commissioner. We were having to file a petition to appoint an admin/executor, and then file an ex-parte petition for special admin to get the person appointed sooner so they could get houses rented out to pay the mortgage instead of defaulting in 4-5 months before the regular appointment happens. We’re not quite back to 3 week appointments but it’s WAY better than 4 months minimum for a hearing on anything.
Kieth Weaver (Lewis Brisbois) is an excellent atty – would send any doctor or nurse his way.
Marni Watkins and Casey Quinn at the AG’s office
I second that! Amazing and bright people!
(1) Justin Randall. He makes the practice of law light hearted and fun. I always love having him on the other side of cases.
(2) Attorneys willing to regularly take on pro bono cases and answer questions for others (including other attorneys) without expecting payment or anything in return.
I have a focused practice. I get a lot of those calls. The calls are enjoyable and I hope that people never hesitate to call. I don’t expect anything in return, but if you do refer me a case, I am always very grateful.
This is nice, but honestly I have a really hard time thinking of anything positive about being a lawyer. Maybe it’s this state? I don’t know the reason, but I wish I could go back a few decades and tell a much younger me not to even fill out that application.
I have that thought sometimes as well. But I also wonder if I did go back in time like that, if I would only be trading in one set of existential dread for another. We are here, now. And the only choice I have is to make the best of it.
Just leave. Make a plan and leave the profession. I will leave it when my kids are done with college. There’s a whole new world out there.
OP here. I have a plan. Hopefully will be done and gone by the end of 2025. Maybe that’s my nice list item…2025 is the year.
I left law for awhile. Maybe too long. It helped.
Then I came back and loved it a lot more. A break from law (especially litigation) really helps.
Sorry to hear your discomfort. There are things that I don’t like about the profession, the mundane, repetitive, and mindless stuff like responding to motions that throw everything against the wall to see what sticks.
But at the end of the day, I am a lawyer, couldn’t be anything else. I would do it all over again. 40+ years in practice.
I appreciate Law Dawg. Maintaining and monitoring this blog must be a herculean task, especially during an election year. This is a great resource for learning about issues relevant to our legal community. Thank you.
Word.
Advice to newly minted lawyer @6:31. Develop a vocabulary.
Words words words.
Ben Chambliss (consumer BK). Knows chapter 13s like nobody else and generously plays devil’s advocate when I’m working through complex issues. Tip of the cap to you. I owe you lunch(es).
DDA Richard Scow. He’s just an all around amazing human and we really missed out by not electing or appointing him to the bench.
Yesterday, I had 2 debtor clients say thank you on the record to a bankruptcy trustee for being nice to them in their financial distress. Thank you Trustee/Attorney Brian Shapiro for being kind and wishing each one of them a happy holiday.
Claudia Aguayo is always so friendly and welcoming whenever we meet at attorney functions around town. As someone who finds it difficult to approach people in social settings, I appreciate Claudia and attorneys in town like her.
Claudia is the new General Counsel for UNR. Well deserved.
controversial submission: Adrian Karimi. I’ve heard he can ruffle feathers and piss some people off, but he has always been helpful to me whenever i have needed guidance. Coming from fam/crim law, I was new to civil lit and he was tremendous in helping me understand the PI world and litigation. he also does a lot of charity work and never really talks about it, which is nice when we now live in a world where people post reels of them donating just for clicks and likes.
You said it: controversial submission
Eric Dobberstein is knowledgeable and reasonable, and not interested in driving up litigation costs. A welcome departure from the usual attorneys I deal with. I feel comfortable making referrals to him.