14 Years Ago

• The Nevada Supreme Court rejected OJ Simpson's appeal based on ineffective assistance of counsel. [Las Vegas Sun]
• BB King's assistant filed a defamation suit against some of King's daughters. [RJ]
• The Badlands golf course was sold and will probably be developed into houses. [RJ]
• Nevada is getting over $5 million in grants to clear a backlog of rape kits. [RJ]
• If you haven't made it to the 9/11 Memorial in NYC yet, check out this virtual tour courtesy of Google Maps.

More Oversight Please

• A second lawsuit was filed against the State challenging the legality of educational savings accounts. [RJ]
• Here's another look at U.S. District Judge Robert C. Jones and the 9th Circuit. [RJ]
• A Clark County audit finds the DA's witness payment account still needs more oversight. [RJ]

Greener Grass

• Judge Joe Hardy signed a TRO requiring the new owner of the recently shuttered Silverstone golf course to continue to irrigate the course and keep its water features full. [RJ]
• Marta Adams, the State's Yucca mountain attorney who retired in July, is returning as a "consultant" on a two year/$300,000 contract. Nice work, if you can get it. [RJ]
• Caesars will pay $9.5 million in fines for violating federal money laundering rules. [RJ]
• A seventeen-year old who wounded an officer may face charges as an adult. [Las Vegas Sun]

Belabor The Point

• There is a civil bench bar meeting today at noon in courtroom 15D. [eighthjdcourt blog]
• The Public Defenders' office is making strong moves to timely treatment for mentally ill inmates. [RJ]
• Did you know the More Cops tax was finally approved? [RJ]
• Governor Sandoval wants a quick ruling on education savings accounts. [RJ]
• Anyone aware of any law firms moving into One Summerlin? [Las Vegas Sun]
• What Happens When You Get a DUI? by the Nevada Department of Public Safety. Notice the step "Speak to an attorney" is missing? [Las Vegas Sun]

Labor Day Weekend 2015

• A jury convicted George Tiaffay. Penalty phase starts today. [Fox5Vegas; RJ; Las Vegas Sun]
• A Ninth Circuit panel revived a civil rights action in Nevada that had been dismissed by Judge Robert Clive Jones, but they also reassigned it to a different judge...[RJ]
• DA Steve Wolfson is excited about "LVDA." [RJ]
• Someone left a threatening Christmas card for a Carson City Justice of the Peace earlier this year. [Las Vegas Sun]
• Anyone got any exciting plans for Labor Day weekend?

Undeflatable

• As mentioned in the comments yesterday, Dennis Prince got his client, a former high school football player, a $4.2 million judgment. [RJ]
• Las Vegas now has a municipal mental health court. [LasVegasNow]
• The Tiaffay jury is still deliberating. [Fox5Vegas]
• This is Vegas related only inasmuch as it will affect the lines:  a judge nullified the NFL's suspension of Tom Brady. [Las Vegas Sun]

Changing Minds

• Jurors are deliberating in the Tiaffay trial. [RJ]
• A hired consultant says Chancellor Dan Klaich didn't do anything wrong in his handling of a report. [RJ]
• A lawsuit was filed to block the Legislature's tax package. [RJ]
• The Las Vegas City Council is considering an ordinance regarding Fremont Street performers. [Fox5Vegas]
• After she filed a lawsuit, the CCSD decided to let a girl start a pro-life club. [Fox5Vegas]

Fair Share

Based on some recent comments, one of our readers wants to know what percentage an associate should get when they bring business to a firm? What does your firm do? Is it fair?

Sunshine Days

• Here's the latest on the Tiaffay trial. [RJ]
• Andrew Rempfer is representing the plaintiffs in an overtime suit against Circle K which just got the oK to proceed as a class action. [RJ]
• The battle over rooftop solar has been delayed until next year. [KNPR]

Shiny Happy People

• The Tiaffay trial (ex-firefighter who allegedly hired a homeless man as a hitman on his wife) is under way in Judge Eric Johnson's courtroom. After getting a glimpse at opening arguments, any predictions on how this will turn out? [RJ; Fox5Vegas]
• In the midst of restructuring, Caesars wants to give its general counsel a one-time special retention bonus of $200,000. [RJ]
• An arbitrator ruled in favor of the County and against the SEIU. [RJ; Las Vegas Sun]
• A police fact-finding panel released video of a Henderson officer-involved shooting from last year. [Fox5Vegas video]
• Happy people earn more money? [RJ]

Insert Law & Order Sound

• Six episodes of Las Vegas D.A., a docu-drama "following Steve Wolfson and his powerhouse team" will air on Investigation Discovery channel some time next year. [RJ]
• As featured in yesterday's comments, Harris v. Stokes. [Courthouse News; complaint]
• Las Vegas' first medical marijuana dispensary opened yesterday. [Las Vegas Sun]
• Jury selection is under way for the Tiaffay case. [Fox5Vegas]
• A child custody battle between a prostitute and ex-cop. [News3LV]

Highway To The School Zone

• As school starts up again today, please remember to slow down in school zones and watch out for tiny pedestrians. [Fox5Vegas]
• Five school district employees charged in three months. Keep an eye out for your children. [Las Vegas Sun]
• Did you know the faculty at UNLV Boyd School of Law is in the top 50 most-cited law faculties? [Tax Prof Blog]
• There is a family division bench bar meeting on Thursday, 8/27. [eighthjdcourt blog]

And A Cupola On Top

It looks like dreams do come true! Chief Justice Hardesty and the Supreme Court of Nevada (along with the Court of Appeals) will be getting a brand new courthouse in downtown Las Vegas. Leaving their luxury suite on the top floor of the RJC will net them an additional 8,300 sq. ft. at a cost of $400,000 less over the next decade than what they would pay the County.

The new courthouse, which is expected to be completed by the end of next year, doesn't come without a price though as it will be built on a parking lot at the corner of 4th and Clark. Chief Justice Hardesty said making sure there will still be adequate parking was a big concern that will be addressed. Hardesty also suggested that the soon-to-be-empty top floor of the RJC could become the new Complex Litigation Center for construction defects cases.

Here's the write up:  RJ; City of Las Vegas tumblr.

What do you think?

To The Employed

A reader is having problems with employee retention and wants your input on a simple question--what keeps you at your current job? Is it primarily the pay, the people, the private chef, necessity, etc?

Please Hold, Your Claim Is Important To Us

• Judge William Voy decided a 15 year-old boy will be tried as an adult when he faces murder charge. [RJ]
• Stanley Rimer, who let his 4 year-old sun die in a hot SUV, is representing himself in a suit claiming his civil rights have been violated in prison. [RJ]
• Attorney Mark Rouse explains why social security disability needs reformed. [RJ]

Like The McRib

• Here's the first look at details emerging from the recently unsealed HOA scandal documents. [RJ]
• A non-lawyer's guide to asset protection in Nevada. [Vegas Inc.]
• The More Cops tax hike proposal is back. [RJ]

The Hammer

• Judge Michael Villani ignored a plea agreement and sentenced Barry Levinson to 8 years in prison and $1.1 million in restitution. Levinson, who has the most bar complaints of any Nevada lawyer, was immediately taken into custody even though he was supposed to report to federal prison on August 21. [RJ]
• Judge Andrew Gordon dismissed a federal lawsuit against the school district by the parents of a girl who committed suicide due to bullying. [RJ]
• A girl is suing the school district over being prevented from starting an anti-abortion club. [RJ- includes complaint]

Time And Place

• Here's Ralston on the meteoric rise of Attorney General Adam Laxalt. [RGJ]
• Las Vegas City Attorney Brad Jerbic met with street performers/buskers yesterday trying to work out a solution regarding proposed rules for Fremont Street. [RJ; Las Vegas Sun]
• Here's a story about Judge Earl and a probate case. [Las Vegas Tribune]

High Noon

• Another win for Maggie McLetchie and the HOA scandal documents will be unsealed. [RJ]
• There's a civil bench bar meeting today at noon. [eighthjdcourt blog]
• Attorney Jesse Sbaih is running for Congress. [KNPR]

Sealed With A Kiss

• Do you really think the sealed documents in the HOA scandal will only reveal romance and not scandal? [RJ]
• An interview/puff-piece with Michael Cristalli. [Vegas Inc.]
• Anything else happening this week?

Doing Time

• Leon Benzer was sentenced to 15 1/2 years in prison and $13.4 million in restitution for the HOA scandal. [RJ]
• Gloria Lee, of arson puppies fame, will not get early furlough to improve her pre-natal care. [RJ; Las Vegas Sun]
• Know any retired or soon-to-retire police officers who want to be marshals in district court? [eighthjdcourt blog]

Rate The State Bar of Nevada

We heard a lot of you complaining about how long the find a lawyer feature was not functional and how you don't like funding annual meetings in resort locales, but how do you really feel about the State Bar of Nevada? Is the organization serving its purpose?  Is it serving you? Do you benefit from its existence? Would you like to see it be an optional organization? What is it doing right? What can be done better?

How would you rate the overall performance of the State Bar of Nevada?

Hitch

• RIP Jerry Kaufman, age 79. [RJ]
• Prosecutors are seeking a 20-year sentence for the mastermind of the HOA scandal. [RJ]
• If you read any law-related magazines, the State Bar of Nevada would like your input on this survey. 

It's Back

• It looks like the State Bar's Find A Lawyer feature is working. Go test it out and let us know if it is up to date. 
• Do we need a specialty court for problem gamblers? [RJ]
• With the July bar exam behind it's time to talk vacation. Anyone have great new plans to share? Any tips on a nice weekend getaway? Do any of you own vacation homes--if so, how often do you make it?

Let The Justice System Run Its Course

• Mayor Goodman plans to "let the justice system run its course" before deciding whether to return $50,000 in campaign contributions from the mastermind of an international ponzi scheme. [RJ]
• Stephen "Bowtie" Stubbs is going to plead guilty to a gross misdemeanor charge of unlawful notarization of a signature by a notary. [RJ]
• Here's a look at the Ceasar's bankruptcy. [Vegas Inc.]

The Worst Penalty

• A disciplinary hearing panel recommends that Brian Bloomfield's license be suspended for five years followed by the ultimate punishment of being required to take the bar exam again. However, the panel's recommendation is just that and the State Bar is still asking for him to be disbarred. Ultimately, it is the decision of the Supreme Court of Nevada. (Really? What does that say about our profession that the entrance exam is considered punishment?) [RJ]
• Speaking of punishment, congrats to those who survived day 3 of the bar exam? Anyone have any wild stories to share from this year's exam?
• A medical marijuana dispensary represented by Maggie McLetchie is considering a lawsuit against the county over delay and roadblocks to getting the dispensary open. [RJ; Las Vegas Sun]
• Donald Campbell is representing a family suing Cowabunga Bay over a lack of lifeguards. [RJ]

Something Good

It's a slow news week and some of you are suffering PTSD from the reminder that the bar exam is taking place right now. Does anyone have any positive news, stories, gossip, etc?

Fool For A Client

• Here's a story about a real estate agent representing himself in trial. [RJ]
• Here's a look at the on-the-record spending and gifts done by lobbyists during the 2015 Nevada legislative session. [RJ]
• Couple sentenced in fire that killed three children. [LasVegasNow]

The Bar Exam In July

• Golightly & Vannah got a $684K judgment in their first Reno jury trial since opening a Washoe County office. [CVN]
• Nearly 9 in 10 students drop out of unaccredited law schools in California. [LA Times]
• Here's a look at some new drone law in Nevada. [Las Vegas Sun]
• Wayne Howle will be Nevada's new Yucca Mountain attorney. [Las Vegas Sun]
• The July bar exam starts tomorrow. Any fond memories or advice you want to share?

It's Always The Details

• Here's why it is extra important that settlement terms/plea agreements are clearly spelled out in the record. [RJ]
• The Nevada Supreme Court overturned a sexual assault conviction because Judge Doug Smith refused to swear in prospective jurors prior to jury selection. [RJ]

Big Money

• Las Vegas Municipal Court Judge Martin Hastings issued a narrow ruling to avoid getting into the issue of courtroom collection practices. [RJ]
• The Caesar's bankruptcy could be getting more complicated. [RJ]
• And, in just four short months managed to accrue more than $47 million in fees. [FoxBusiness]
• RIP John Peter Lee. Services are this Saturday. 

Partners Lounge

If you head over to Vegas Inc. you will see an article detailing the 54,000 sq. ft. Hughes Center office Gordon Silver left behind when it moved to its new 2,883 sq. ft. first floor office. Oh how the mighty have fallen. From the article, it looks like their new office does not have a well-ventilated cigar and poker room known as the Partners Lounge. Which got us thinking? Do any other firms have the equivalent of a Partners Lounge? How about a game room? We know Craig Kenny has got a basketball court. What other special features do Las Vegas law offices have?

Dr. Feelgood

• More sentencing in the HOA scandal. [RJ]
• The party doctor was sentenced to five years probation. [RJ]
• One of the firms that got Project Neon eminent domain work is Carbajal & McNutt. Also, details about how much money is being paid out. [Las Vegas Sun]

Total Recall

• Here are two looks at the latest on the historic effort to recall North Las Vegas Municipal Judge Catherine Ramsey. [Las Vegas Sun; RJ]
• Are you one of the rare few that has paid for a .vegas domain name? [Las Vegas Sun]

Dead End Job

Here are seven signs you're at a dead end job. Are there any specific signs you would add for those in the legal profession?

Slow Thursday

• A little birdie tells us that the firm of Pezzillo Lloyd has joined up with Howard & Howard. Anyone have more details?
• Make sure you comply with Supreme Court orders. [RJ]
• The new guardianship panel met yesterday. [RJ]

Genghis Law

• Nevada's chief attorney on Yucca Mountain, Marta Adams, is retiring. [Las Vegas Sun; RJ]
• Judge Eric Johnson refused to reduce bail for the man who has been behind bars for six years without a conviction. [RJ]
• Judges from Mongolia will be visiting our family courts later this month. The jokes almost write themselves. [eighthjdcourt blog]

Job Tips: Social Networking

As a lawyer, how do you use social networking? Do you have a fan page on Facebook? Do you tweet on Twitter? Have any of you had any success in attracting clients through your social media endeavors?

On a related note, Wilma's boss Fred sent her a friend request of Facebook. Should she accept it?

Educational Debauchery

• Attorney Craig Mueller is challenging the Las Vegas Municipal Court's fees and collection practices. [RJ]
• Here's a look at Legal 2000 holds. [RJ]
• Here another, more detailed look at the DA's office and payment of witnesses. [RJ]
• After some of you mentioned Judge Scann in the comments, we reached out to court information officer Mary Anne Price whose official response was, "Judge Scann is on leave." 
• Anyone have any good stories/gossip of the educational debauchery that was the Annual Meeting? Where will it be next year?

State of the Market July 2015

It's the middle of the calendar year year again, the state bar convention is going on, the July bar exam is only a few weeks away, and it is as good as time as any to take a moment and ask for your input on the state of the legal market in Las Vegas. Are things better or worse than they were a year ago? Is your firm growing or laying off? Is what's happening at Gordon Silver a sign of the times? Are you seeing any trends that you think indicate where things are going? Has your civility improved? Is it time to switch practice areas or careers?

Generally speaking, compared to this time a year ago, rate the state of the Las Vegas legal market.

The Annual Meeting

• Today marks the start of State Bar of Nevada's Annual Meeting. This year it is in Seattle. Are any of you attending? Any gossip you heard on the flight up while sitting behind a certain judge and their spouse?
• Here's an updated story on the unprecedented move of North Las Vegas City Attorney Sandra Douglass Morgan announcing for a recall election before the election is even set. [RJ]
• More details on Gordon Silver and their eviction from Hughes Center. [Vegas Inc.]
• A little birdie tells us that the son of a family court judge is being held on charges related to a robbery. 

Just Say No

• North Las Vegas City Attorney Sandra Douglass Morgan is jumping into the recall election against Judge Catherine Ramsey.  Is that how this works? [Las Vegas Sun]
• The new Judge Johnson was shocked to learn that a Vegas man has been locked up for 6 years without a conviction. [RJ]
• Adam Kutner sued Google. [RJ]
• Here are some opinions about new Justice of the Peace Bita Khamsi. [Veterans in Politics]
• The annual medical and dental malpractice sweep is set for August 3. [eighthjdcourt blog]
• Bill Cosby's now unsealed admission that he obtained quaaludes to give young women has a Las Vegas connection. [Las Vegas Sun]

Go Get 'Em, Tiger

• The Attorney General's office has hired 11 outside firms on Project Neon condemnation cases. Anyone know who the lucky firms are? [RJ]
• Looks like another lawsuit against Gordon Silver for monies owed. Case A-15-720985-C.
• Maybe Gordon Silver should have gotten into construction defect plaintiff work--this article says that the firm of Canepa Riedy & Rubino made more than $200 million in fees from construction defect cases. [RJ]
• No harm, no foul for Metro if they're shooting at you, but you shoot yourself first. [RJ; LasVegasNow] 
• Seems like civil forfeiture is getting a lot of attention lately. [RJ]

The Property Man

• Fox News is launching a new weekend show starring Las Vegas attorney Bob Massi called "Bob Massi is the Property Man" It debuts this Saturday. [Variety]
• Ever thought about being a volunteer judge in the Truancy Diversion Program? [eigthjdcourt blog]
• The Family Court bench recently issued a resolution on rules of professional cooperation. [eighthjdcourt blog]

Independence Day

• Police raided the home and office of attorney Vicki Greco.  [RJ]
• The headline says it all, "Prosecutors baffled by sealed records of doctor in child porn case." [RJ]
• Have a safe and happy Independence Day everyone!

Job Tips: Hiring A Secretary

One of our readers wants your input:  what is the best way to find a good secretary in Las Vegas? Is there a secret to finding these needles in a haystack? Do you recommend putting an ad in the RJ, using Monster or Craigslist, or just ? Do recruiters look for secretaries--and if so, is it worth the money? The reader works in a two-attorney office--does that change your advice?

A Direct Say In Their Judges

• Judge Eric Johnson ruled against North Las Vegas Municipal Court Judge Catherine Ramsey holding that the voters can recall a judge noting that Nevadans like having a direct say in their judges. [RJ]
• Nevada joined a lawsuit challenging federal authority over water. [RJ]
• What is in the sealed HOA scandal records that the feds really don't want released? [RJ]
• The US Supreme Court will not be hearing the Nevada patient dumping case. [Fox5Vegas; LasVegasNow]

Still Hot

• SCOTUSblog has the details on the last opinions for the U.S. Supreme Court this term, including one upholding the use of a drug in lethal injections.
• Are these lawsuits really that much of a threat to Las Vegas Sands and Wynn? [Daily Finance]
• The Clark County Detention Center released over 100 inmates on Friday. [LasVegasNow]
• Over 200 new laws take effect on Wednesday. [RJ]
• Anything else going on out there on this first day of a short week?

Obergefell

It's a historic day with the Obergefell opinion from the Supreme Court. You can read the opinion and multiple dissents here.

In local news, the Nevada Supreme Court issued several opinions yesterday. Anyone have thoughts on those?

Here is the link that one of our commenters graciously shared to the Motion for Writ of Attachment regarding Gordon Silver.

A reader suggests that we should ask what is going on at Hutchison & Steffen? Anyone know?

Looking Up

• Senior U.S. District Judge ruled that a man gets his money back that was wrongfully seized by the government and reminds the government of its duty of candor. [RJ]
• At least a couple of things have gone right for North Las Vegas lately. [RJ; Las Vegas Sun]
• The U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion in King v. Burwell upholding subsidies for the Affordable Care Act. You can find the opinion and in-depth coverage at SCOTUSblog.

The End Of The Rebels

As the South (and retailers across the country) begins a movement to eradicate the confederate flag, Senator Harry Reid set off some debate in Nevada yesterday by suggesting that the Board of Regents should take a look at UNLV's "Rebels" nickname and mascot. You can get more details on the history of why the the school has the Rebel nickname and a history of confederate imagery in this article from the RJ. The article quotes two attorneys on the Board of Regents and their opinion. Michael Wixom says he doesn't see it as an issue and James Dean Leavitt says UNLV has fully shed its controversial image. We thought we'd give some more attorneys a chance to weigh in. What do you think? Does the Rebels name need to change? Does "Hey Reb" really convey a mountain man--because he looks an awful lot like a civil war general... Is Nevada anything like South Carolina--maybe if you think like Ralston?

Should UNLV change its mascot?

My Heart Will Go On

• More money for specialty courts. [nvcourts.gov; RJ]
• A disciplinary panel is deciding what it will recommend to the Supreme Court of Nevada on the fate of Brian Bloomfield. (The comments offer some interesting insight into how some of the public feels about the situation.) [RJ]
• In light of the mention of suicide and depression in that last article, we'll take this time to remind you that there are other options. This is a tough profession. There will be hard times. When there are, don't give into despair. Please reach out to those around you for help. Things can get better.

Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers Program

Confidential help from a fellow lawyer is a phone call away

Toll Free: 866-828-0022

or

702-889-9404

Mitch Cobeaga, LCL Coordinator

If you, or any lawyer in Nevada, are in need of confidential assistance with an alcohol, drug, depression, stress or gambling problem, help is readily available through the LCL Hotline.When calling, leave your first name and telephone number. A fellow lawyer, who has also had problems, will call you back. You'll be listened to with an understanding heart rather than scorn, judgment and condemnation. You can talk frankly. The person returning your call is solving problems just like yours, and is living happily and usefully doing so.

Getting Warmer

• Here's a profile piece on attorney Dana Dwiggins. [Vegas Inc.]
• In addition to all the other troubles in North Las Vegas, now it is being reported that Mayor John Lee did not make all the required financial disclosures. [RJ]
• Is Lucy Flores getting ready to run for Nevada's 4th congressional district? [Ralston Reports]
• We're nearing the end of the term for the Supreme Court of the United States with some big opinions still to come. Any predictions? [SCOTUSblog]

Put This To Bed

• Attorney Keith Gregory, who according to Judge Mahan was the linchpin of the HOA scandal--giving it an air of legitimacy, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The 61 year old has until September 18, 2015, to report to prison. Along with Gregory, an 86 year old veteran who was on the Board at two of the HOAs was sentenced to 2 years in prison and 3 years of supervised release. The "mastermind" of the scandal, Leon Benzer, is due to be sentenced on August 6. [RJ]
• North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee says the child porn allegations are a hack job and he just wants to put this to bed." [Las Vegas Sun]

Black Sheep

• As mentioned in the comments yesterday, Gordon Silver's landlord is suing the firm for failing to pay over three-quarters of a million dollars in rent. The case number is A-15-719863 if you want to see the gory details. 
• No raise for Henderson City Attorney Josh Reid, but he does get a 3% bonus. [RJ]
• No prison time for former lawyer Jeanne Winkler for her role in the HOA scandal. [RJ]
• On Monday, a whistleblower witness described some of what happened in the neighborhoods affected by the HOA scandal. [RJ]

Job Tips: Lawyers Dating Lawyers

A reader wants your input on dating other lawyers. Is it okay? Is it okay if the other person is in your firm? What about dating staff? Have any of you had any success dating other lawyers in Las Vegas? How about judges? Did you know that Match.com turned 20 this year? Any luck swiping right on Tinder? What's your advice for a solo lawyer seeking a partnership?

Jurassic World

• Here's a puff piece on Fennemore Craig's venture accelerator program. [Vegas Inc.]
• Prosecutors in the HOA scandal are trying to boost prison terms. [RJ]
• Is Henderson city attorney Josh Reid going to get a pay raise and contract extension? [Ralston Reports]
• The Supreme Court of Nevada is creating a guardianship commission. [nvcourts.gov]
• The Nevada Commission on Judicial Selection is eliminating paper applications and requiring applicants to submit their applications on CD-ROM or a flash drive. Way to catch up with the times!?! [nvcourts.gov]

Bogged Down

• Judge Catherine Ramsey sued the City of North Las Vegas. [RJ]
• The DA has mailed out over 230 wiretap notices to people who were secretly recorded during an extortion investigation. [RJ]
• Metro will no longer cite or arrest individuals for failing to register their handgun. [RJ]

A Little Unsealed

• Does anyone have details on what's going on, if anything, with family court hearing master Sylvia Beller? Rumor has it that a few weeks ago she was escorted from the family courthouse and that the applications they're accepting are to fill her position...
• The RJ is trying to get the HOA scandal documents and records unsealed. [RJ]
• Meanwhile, the Guardian is undertaking a similar effort in the Las Vegas Sands/Steven Jacobs case. [RJ]

Job Tips: Job Hopping

A reader wants your input/advice. We'll frame the question in the form of a hypothetical:

Wilma graduated from UNLV Boyd School of Law in 2013 and passed the bar exam that summer. Since then she has jumped firms several times and is currently unhappily employed at Flintstone & Associates, her fourth firm. She wants to find a new job that she can be at long term, but isn't getting many interviews--a fact that she attributes to the multiple firms on her resume and lack of experience.
Is there anything she can to rectify that? Do you have any advice for her? Is she doomed?

Triple Crown

• Dickinson Wright is not only picking up Gordon Silver's six Reno attorneys, but also seven Las Vegas attorneys. [Vegas Inc.]

Dr. Seuss Says

• The Meet Your Judges mixer was last night? Anyone have any good gossip from it?
• Judge Catherine Ramsey is fighting back against the recall effort by seeking a ruling that judges can't be recalled by popular vote. (For those interested, the case # is A-719406 and will be heard by Judge Denton on Monday.) [RJ]
• An artist represented by Hutchison & Steffen won a $1.35 million judgment in federal court. [RJ]
• The Supreme Court of Nevada issued a few interesting opinions yesterday--one extending Nevada's wiretap law to cell phones; another about offers of judgment; another one holding that parents can still be negligent even when there is a court appointed guardian, and finally one reminding lawyers that you need to make sure you are getting electronically served emails and checking the status of your case online, because the Court is not going to buy your excuses. 

I Will Not Eat Them

• Judge Michelle Leavitt was publicly reprimanded by the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline for keeping a woman jailed for 10 days without bail or a contempt hearing. (A copy of the stipulation and order for public reprimand is here.) [RJ]
• Meanwhile, Judge Ron Israel had attorney/UNLV Boyd Law alum Kurt Smith jailed for contempt related to his feelings about jury duty. "Thanks a lot." [RJ]
• The City of North Las Vegas paid $25,000 to settle a suit over an officer shooting two dogs. The dogs' owner was represented by Cal Potter III. [RJ]
• The investiture ceremony for District Court Judges Joe Hardy, Eric Johnson, and Justice Court Judge Bita Khamsi will take place tomorrow afternoon. [eighthjdcourt blog]

Sam-I-Am

• Allegiant Air pilots are appealing Judge Andrew Gordon's ruling that they can't strike. [RJ]
• The Nevada Secretary of State approved the petition to recall North Las Vegas Municipal Judge Catherine Ramsey. Judge Ramsey has retained Mueller, Hinds & Associates to challenge the validity of the recall effort. [RJ]
• According to one list, Las Vegas is the third most well-read city in the country. What have you been reading lately? [Las Vegas Sun]

I Do Not Like

• For your entertainment, the 2015 Nevada Legal Elite list is out! [Nevada Business]
• The 2015 Nevada Legislature ended its session last night. Did your favorite bills turn into pumpkins at midnight? [RJ; Las Vegas Sun]
• A lawsuit against an an anonymous commenter on the RJ website calling him or herself "lawyer" reached a settlement. [RJ]
• Attorney Luis Rojas was sentenced to three years' probation for his role in a short-sale scheme. [RJ]
• June means end of term for the U.S. Supreme Court and lots of decisions, including several interesting ones yesterday. [SCOTUSblog]
• The Eighth Judicial District Court--Family Division is looking for a new hearing master. Applications are due by next Friday.

Green Eggs And Ham

• The Nevada Assembly passed Governor Sandoval's tax package last night--the Senate is expected to pass it today. [RJ]
• U.S. Senate candidate and former Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto has a net worth in excess of $1 million. [RJ]
• Here's an in-depth look at Nevada's parole problem. [RJ]
• Former Deputy Attorney General Timothy Treffinger was arrested on Saturday in Pahrump and is facing drug charges. [8NewsNow]
• The Supreme Court of Nevada ruled on Friday that Clark County School District teacher email addresses are public record. [RJ]

Just Be There

• Over 2,700 signatures were collected in the effort to recall North Las Vegas Municipal Judge Catherine Ramsey. Among the reasons for recalling her are allegations of absenteeism. [RJ]
• U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Gordon stood strong behind his decision to throw out evidence obtained by the FBI in an illegal gambling bust as fruit of the poisonous tree. [RJ]
• The Supreme Court of Nevada overturned a $500,000 jury verdict in a priest groping case. [RJ]
• In another new opinion in Weddell v. Sharp, the Court adopted the doctrine of nonmutual claim preclusion. [Supreme Court of Nevada]
• Make sure to register today if you plan on attending next week's Meet Your Judges mixer!

The New Format

• As noted in the comments yesterday, there has been a change in the format of the Nevada bar exam. Does this really signal a move toward the UBE? Is adding an additional MPT really necessary to evaluate critical lawyer skills? [NVbar.org]
• Brian Bloomfield could lose his law license. [RJ]
• President Obama's executive action on immigration is still in limbo following a federal court ruling on Tuesday. [Las Vegas Sun]

Approaching Sine Die

As the legislative session is winding down, we're seeing lots of action and some bills are being signed into law.  Two of those that were signed yesterday are no life without parole sentences for offenders under the age of 18 [RJ] and a bill extending the statute of limitations on rape charges from 4 years to 20 years [RJ]. What do you think about these changes?

Any last minute bills you are hoping to see make it into the books as law?

Here Comes Summer

• Suspended attorney Barry Levinson, who apparently has the most complaints against him with the Nevada State Bar, got sentenced to 78 months in federal prison. [RJ]
• The Legislature approved a bill that will allow Uber to operate in Nevada, but it looks like it and other ride sharing companies like Lyft will be managed by the Public Utilities Commission. [RJ]
• The Legislature is entering the final week of the session. [RJ]
• The Supreme Court of Nevada issued orders denying writs of mandamus from the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the State Engineer. [8NewsNow]
• Speaking of the Supreme Court, an unidentified developer wants to build the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals a building in Las Vegas and lease it to them so the Court doesn't have to pay the County for the space it is currently using in the RJC. [Las Vegas Sun]

America's 29th Biggest City

• Changes are happening with regard to who will be hearing guardianship hearings in Clark County. [RJ; EighthJDCourt blog]
• Now that guardianship is getting fixed, the ACLU wants Nevada's parole program to be fixed. [RJ; Las Vegas Sun]
• Did a local high school deny a student the ability to create a pro-life club? [KNPR]
• The Nevada Senate passed a bill to crack down on squatters. [RGJ]
• Attorney Kristina Wildeveld had no comment after her client Flavor Flav was arrested yesterday. [USA Today]
• Las Vegas is now the 29th biggest city in the country. [RGJ]
• Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend everyone!

Those Who Can

In light of yesterday's news that Boyd law professor Nancy Rapoport would be chairing a committee to review legal fees and expenses in the Caesars bankruptcy, someone questioned the propriety of having a law professor (and law students as the article suggests) reviewing the fees and expenses of practicing attorneys. It was not a question about Rapoport as much as it was a question about law professors and law students. (It should be noted that although it has been awhile, Rapoport's Linked In resume does include 5 years in a law firm. It's also worth noting that she is no longer the Gordon Silver Professor of Law and is now the Garman Turner Gordon Professor of Law at Boyd.)

You've heard that saying, "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." What do you think? Is there any truth to it? Did any of your law school classmates become law professors? Would you like them reviewing your legal fees and expenses? Are there better options for a court to determine the reasonableness of fees and expenses?

If I Could Turn Back Time

• An anonymous former employee alleges that North Las Vegas Municipal Judge Catherine Ramsey, who has been in the news quite a bit lately (just search her name), had her run personal errands on taxpayer time, while another alleges Ramsey created a hostile work environment. Ramsey denies the allegations. [8NewsNow]
• 20 of the defendants from the HOA scandal are being sentenced this week. [RJ]
• UNLV Boyd Law Professor Nancy Rapoport was appointed chairperson of a legal fee review committee in the Caesars bankruptcy. [Las Vegas Sun]
• The Legislature has approved the resolution to keep Nevada on daylight savings time year round. Now it's on to Washington to see if Congress will allow it. [News3LV]

For The Better

• The Eighth Judicial District Court is implementing changes to implement best practices for guardianship cases. [eighthjdcourt blog]
• Is there another suspect in the Tammy Myers homicide investigation? [Fox5Vegas]
• A jury was selected Monday in a case that is putting the spotlight on Nevada's stand-your-ground law. [Las Vegas Sun]
• An 11-judge panel of the 9th Circuit decided that a 3-judge panel erred in telling Google to take down an anti-Muslim film.  [Las Vegas Sun]
• Judge Kerry Earley reversed a lifetime ban of the UFC's Wanderlei Silva. [News3LV]

Mostly Overcast

• Here's a look at some legal aspects of the local housing market. [Vegas Inc.]
• Here's a Q&A puff piece with attorney John Delikanakis of Snell & Wilmer. [Vegas Inc.]
• A slightly narrower version of AB 193, allowing certain hearsay evidence, passed the Senate and is going on to the governor. [RJ]
• Meanwhile, SB 444, a bill proposed to weaken the Anti-SLAPP law, may be dead is not yet dead. [RJ]

The Thrill Is Gone

• Jeff Silver is leaving Gordon Silver to join Dickinson Wright, leaving the once lustrous firm without either of the partners whose names it bears. [RJ]
• The "Senior Sixteen" are represented by Matthew Callister and are suing the Southern Nevada Water Authority for age discrimination. [RJ]
• Former constable John Bonaventura is in the news again after a warrant is issued for his arrest. [RJ]
• North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee has hired a Reno PR firm to help with the issue of child pornography and his Ipad. [News3LV]
• UNLV Boyd Law's Convocation is taking place this morning at 10:00 a.m. Congrats new grads and good luck on the bar.
• RIP B.B. King. If you haven't heard him lately, do yourself a favor and give this a listen. The thrill is gone indeed.

Going For Distance

• The Nevada Senate approved a bill that would change Nevada to a primary election state rather than a caucus state. [RJ]
• KNPR's State of Nevada dedicated a program to free speech in Nevada and features proponents and opponents of SB 444. [KNPR]
• Speaking of anti-SLAPP, Boulder City taxpayers are paying a $235,000 settlement from a SLAPP lawsuit against the City, with legal fees more than double that amount. [8NewsNow]
• Lots of people who work in local government don't live here--at least according to where there vehicles are registered. [8NewsNow]
• The FBI is now getting involved into a report of child pornography on the Ipad of the Mayor of North Las Vegas. [RJ]
• The Washoe County School District's chief general counsel is taking a demotion and pay cut while the school board refrains from disparaging remarks. [RGJ]
• Is this now the longest firm name in town--Holley, Driggs, Walch, Fine, Wray, Puzey, Thompson?

Goodbye Gordon Silver?

• Uber is still alive! The Nevada Senate passed a bill regulating Uber and other ride-hailing apps. [RJ]
• Snell & Wilmer is learning the consequences of having a governor and lieutenant governor that are both lawyers. [RJ]
• Military pensions are community property in a divorce. [8NewsNow]
• The big news today that everyone really wants to hear about is what is going on at Gordon Silver. If you haven't already, go read the Vegas Inc. article detailing changes at the firm including the departure of Jerry Gordon and 15 attorneys who are starting a new firm called Garman Turner Gordon. While that article gives us a few details, there are still many other missing details. What will become of the existing firm and its office space? What will it be called? What about the attorneys? What does this mean for the job market? Is anyone safe?

Smores

• A look at the rising tide of parental rights termination cases. [RJ]
• We're finally at the beginning of the end for the HOA scandal. [RJ]
• Here's another lawsuit against Manny Pacquiao. [8NewsNow]
• The other day, someone commented about unlicensed documents preparers and nothing being done about them. Someone from the Secretary of State's office replied asking for more information. If you have information about unlicensed documents preparers, please contact the division at docprep@sos.nv.gov. 

Rock In Rio USA

• Guardianship in Clark County is getting even more scrutiny after Family Court Guardianship Commissioner Jon Norheim ruled against the children of ailing musician B.B. King. [Las Vegas Sun]
• SB 401 would crack down further on notarial fraud. [8NewsNow]
• More tales about the Mayor's office from our crazy municipality to the North. [RJ]
• The Legislature is taking another crack at "legalizing" Uber in Nevada. [RJ]
• Rock in Rio USA debuts today and traffic will be impacted as a result. [Fox5Vegas]

Are you going to Rock in Rio? Do you have other big plans this weekend? Does anyone have any substantive rumors about imploding law firms? Are you already annoyed by emails from those campaigning for the Board of Governors?

May Flowers

• February bar exam results came out yesterday. With a 61% pass rate, we're adding some 135 new lawyers to our ranks. Welcome!
• The Nevada Legislature is considering some changes to the law that will impact family law and how courts look at family reunification. [RJ]
• Here's a look at the sanctions against Glen Lerner in New Orleans in BP oil spill cases. [RJ]
• Another class-action lawsuit was filed in federal court against Manny Pacquiao. [RJ]
• Governor Sandoval signed into law SB 177 which allows a person to designate a caregiver when admitted to a hospital. 

Uniform Bar Exam

As reported by our friends over at Above the Law yesterday, the Chief Judge on New York's Court of Appeals (that's its highest court) announced that beginning next summer, New York will begin administering the Uniform Bar Exam ("UBE") instead of an entirely state specific exam. (More details are available in a New York Times article.) With New York adopting the UBE, that means next year there almost a quarter of the 50 states will using the UBE, including many states out west. Here is a map of states using the UBE. In adopting the UBE, New York hopes that more of the nation will follow. However, some of the biggest legal markets (including CA, FL, TX, IL, DC) are not yet on board.

What are your thoughts on the UBE? Good idea or bad idea? Should we adopt it here in Nevada? Would adopting the UBE mean we would have to change our reciprocity rules too?

Should Nevada adopt the Uniform Bar Exam?

Huānyíng Resorts World Las Vegas!

• Should there be mandatory jail time for leaving the scene of an accident? [8NewsNow]
• Pacquiao could face discipline over not properly reporting his shoulder injury. [Las Vegas Sun]
• ed.  Looks like the first law suit has been filed in U.S. District Court with attorney Brandon McDonald representing a putative class. [8NewsNow]
• Meanwhile, Top Rank boxing's lawyers are looking at making piracy claims after many people watched the fight over live streams like Periscope. [RJ]
• U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Gordon granted a preliminary injunction preventing Allegiant Air pilots from striking. [Vegas Inc.]
• The new Judges Eric Johnson (Department 20) and Joe Hardy (Department 15) put on the robes yesterday.  
• Resorts World Las Vegas is breaking ground today, but not expected to open until 2018. [8NewsNow]

Au Revoir, Riviera

• Justice Hardesty thinks the guardianship system's problems extend beyond Clark County. [RJ]
• Here's a look at Sheldon Adelson's performance on the stand last week in Judge Gonzalez's courtroom. [RJ]
• Will there be lawsuits arising out of the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight in light of all the pay-per-view issues and the [alleged] fact that Pacquiao was injured? [RJ]
• It looks like local municipal governments are continuing their efforts to keep someone in the legal industry employed. In Henderson, six family members of the mayor are employed by the City [RJ] and in North Las Vegas, two ethics complaints were filed with the Ethics Commission against the Mayor. [RJ]
• A few defense attorneys changed their position on the letter about AB 193. [Ralston Reports]
• Have you been wondering about the status of the piece by piece demolition of the Harmon Hotel at CityCenter? Here's a picture of the current progress. [News3LV]

MayPac

• Did you know that today is National Law Day? Are you involved with the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada's Ask-a-Lawyer event? Why not? [8NewsNow]
• Gerry Zobrist, currently serving 87 months in federal prison for a mortgage fraud conviction, consented to permanent disbarment. [RJ]
• Tammy Meyers had prescription drugs in her system after she died. How does this impact the case against the two defendants? [Fox5Vegas]
• Attorney Mace Yampolsky discusses DUI checkpoints. Do you agree with his tips? [Las Vegas Tribune]
• Don't forget that tonight is Rick Harris' annual party. You can see the invite here. 
• Do you have big plans this weekend? Are you watching the Kentucky Derby? Did your firm splurge on tickets to the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight to impress some of your clients?

The Hammer

This came up in the comments yesterday, but it is certainly worth giving it a little attention here. Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the free speech of judges in Williams-Yulee v. Florida Bar. You can read the opinion by clicking on that link and can get some analysis from the SCOTUSblog here. In ruling, the Court relied on the interest of "public confidence in judicial integrity." This topic split the Court with Scalia, Thomas, Alito, and Kennedy on the dissenting side.

What do you think? Did the Court get it right in upholding the the ban on candidates personally soliciting campaign funds?

Anything else you want to talk about today?

50 Shades of May

It's that time of year again and you're invited....

Be sure to check out the website at FiftyShadesofMay.com

What else is going on out there?

Rocky III

• NEWSFLASH!!! Prosecutors and defense attorneys disagree over proposed evidentiary rule that would allow hearsay in preliminary hearings! The rule change was proposed in AB 193 which has already passed in the Assembly. While the bill is supported by DA Steve Wolfson who touts it as a victims' rights bill, this is getting a lot of attention now thanks to a letter from over 220 criminal defense attorneys, a veritable who's who of Las Vegas defense attorneys, who signed a letter opposing passage of the bill. [RJ; 8NewsNow]
• If you want to see a copy of the letter and who signed it, head over to Ralston Reports where you can find the letter along with commentary from Ralston about how dumb it is for attorneys to state that those who support this bill will not receive financial support from the signatories of the letter.
• What do you think about AB 193? Good idea or bad idea? Do you think it was dumb for the defense attorneys to threaten to pull their financial support of those who support the bill?
• Meanwhile, the swift and decisive Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline is seeking a lifetime ban from the bench for former judge Steven Jones. [RJ]
• The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing oral argument on same-sex marriage bans this morning. Check out the live blog and full coverage at Scotusblog.com 

Raging Bull

• North Las Vegas Municipal Court hired attorney Anthony Hall to help fight City Hall. [RJ]
• It looks like UNLV and former football coach Bobby Hauck will not be able to successfully part ways without lawyers. [RJ]
• Here's video of Marc Randazza testifying at Friday's hearing on SB 444.
• Attorney Joe Brown resigned from the Nevada Gaming Commission. [News3LV]
• Here's a piece on attorney Jennifer Roberts and how she ended up doing gaming law at Duane Morris LLP. [RJ]
• The NY Times has taken an interest in Nevada's prison guards shooting guns at inmates. [NY Times]
• Could the Nevada Legislature use a lesson on civility from the State Bar? [RJ]
• What will become of this developing story about the district court and the guardianship process? [RJ editorial]

Bird Shot

• Do Moapa Tribal police have authority to cite drivers on the I-15? [8NewsNow]
• Here's DA Steve Wolfson's thoughts on politics and prosecution with regard to the indictment of an Assembly candidate. [RJ]
• Loretta Lynch was confirmed as the new U.S. Attorney General. [RJ]
• A woman represented by attorney E. Brent Bryson sued Metro in U.S. District Court for excessive force. [Las Vegas Sun]
• A mother is suing the Nevada Department of Corrections over her son being shot in prison. Article mentions that the Department considers bird shot to be non-lethal. [News3LV]
• Anything exciting going on out there? Any more law firms collapsing? 

Day After Earth Day

• If you care about affecting the outcome of SB 444, the Assembly Judiciary committee has a hearing on it tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. It will be video-conferenced to room 4406 at the Grant Sawyer office building and open for public comment. Even if you only say "what he said" after Marc Randazza (whose blog points out that nobody likes this bill) offers his comments, this is a chance for you to make a difference.
• Never underestimate the importance of lawyers. Ticket sales for the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight were being held up over contract negotiations. Now you'll get your shot at one of the limited number of tickets available to the public later today. [RJ]
• Prosecutors indicted a disqualified assembly candidate on perjury charges. [RJ]
• A jury awarded a Las Vegas show producer $440,000 in a breach of contract case. [RJ]
• Attorney/Former Assemblywoman Lucy Flores is going to run for Congress. [RJ]
• Here's an opinion on judges who fundraise for election and then turn around and ask to be appointed to a different court. BTW, that is not a picture of our Judge Susan Johnson. [Las Vegas Tribune]
• Sorry that we forgot to warn you that yesterday was Administrative Professionals' Day. Did you do something special for the administrative professional in your life?

An Anti-SLAPP In The Face

In case you haven't heard yet, Nevada's strongest-in-the-nation anti-SLAPP (strategic lawsuits against public participation) law is in danger of being gutted. SB444 is the bill that intends to do the deed and it is supported by gaming interests (read: Steve Wynn). In fact, here is an RJ article on what Steve Wynn stands to gain from SB444 being enacted. Here is what First Amendment lawyer Marc Randazza has to say about why we don't want this law weakened.

We won't go into all the details here, but Nevada's current Anti-SLAPP law is a good thing. It is vital to protecting freedom of speech in Nevada and preventing frivolous lawsuits. It is one of the laws that helps make it possible for this blog to be in existence without being subject to pointless litigation. As lawyers this should be pretty clear to all of you. If it isn't, please take a moment to read up on it.

If you'd like to share your knowledge and/or opinion with your legislators:

1) Click here:  https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/Opinions/78th2015/A/

2) Select SB444 (April 14 revision) from the drop down menu

3)  Put in your name and address (it stays private, but goes to your Assembly Member)

4)  Vote and put in a comment.

It's that simple folks. 

Infusion

• Lots of discussion about whether municipal courts should be able to threaten or actually arrest people to collect fines. [RJ]
• SB 469 would give the Supreme Court of Nevada nearly $600,000 to cover a budget shortfall. [KNPR]
• U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Gordon ruled the FBI violated the Fourth Amendment by turning off internet service and pretending to be repairmen to get access to a hotel room. [Las Vegas Sun]
• Attorney and former military prosecutor Craig Drummond is now on the other side trying to get an Air Force Staff Sergeant a neutral and detached review of his current confinement. [RJ]
• After having been suspended by the Nevada Supreme Court and wanting to get his life back on track, attorney Alex Ghibaudo talks about where he went wrong. [RJ]
• Public Service Announcement:

Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers Program

Confidential help from a fellow lawyer is a phone call away

Toll Free: 866-828-0022

or

702-889-9404

Mitch Cobeaga, LCL Coordinator

If you, or any lawyer in Nevada, are in need of confidential assistance with an alcohol, drug, depression, stress or gambling problem, help is readily available through the LCL Hotline.When calling, leave your first name and telephone number. A fellow lawyer, who has also had problems, will call you back. You'll be listened to with an understanding heart rather than scorn, judgment and condemnation. You can talk frankly. The person returning your call is solving problems just like yours, and is living happily and usefully doing so.