MCDONALD CARANO - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Commercial Litigation and Appellate Partner
- Henner Earns "Up & Coming" Recognition in Commercial Litigation
- Henner Receives "Up & Coming" Recognition from Chambers USA
Adam Hosmer-Henner represents Nevada's largest companies and entities in high-profile cases throughout the state. He is Chair of the Appellate Practice Group and has handled over forty appeals at the Nevada Supreme Court and argued multiple cases before the Court. Mr. Hosmer-Henner represents his clients in litigation and arbitration involving a wide range of complex matters and focuses on health care, gaming, antitrust and unfair trade practices, intellectual property, trusts and estates, and commercial torts.
Mr. Hosmer-Henner is recognized in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business in Commercial Litigation. Clients describe Adam to Chambers as "Adam is an extremely talented and hard-working attorney." "He is outstanding in every sense. He's super smart, a great lawyer and likes to win." "Adam embodies a rare talent for balancing deep case law knowledge, vision for navigating a path to the desired outcome, and exceptional written and verbal communication skills." "His ability to handle complex litigation is very important for identifying issues, and his writing, negotiation and oral skills are excellent."
Mr. Hosmer-Henner previously worked in the Antitrust and Competition Department of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in New York. He also worked as a legal advisor for the Remote Gambling Association in Brussels, Belgium where he counseled the association and its members on regulatory, tax and competition issues affecting the European online gambling sector.
McDonald Carano congratulates Adam Hosmer-Henner on receiving "Up & Coming" recognition in Commercial Litigation from Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2023, the legal profession's highly respected guide for helping businesses select…
Adam Hosmer-Henner, an attorney in the Reno law office of McDonald Carano, has been elected as a partner within the firm. Hosmer-Henner practices in the firm's complex business litigation and…
Job Titles:
- Paralegal
- Paralegal With Mc
Allison (Allie) Hartong is a paralegal with McDonald Carano. Allie works with our business, employment, and labor law litigation teams, with a specific focus on representation of insurers and employers in workers' compensation claims. Allie has worked as a paralegal for over ten years in Nevada and California. She is a member of the Sierra Nevada Association of Paralegals ("SNAP") and is commissioned in Washoe County as a Notary Public.
Prior to working as a paralegal, Allie worked with at-risk foster youth for over 5 years.
Allison (Allie) Hartong is a paralegal with McDonald Carano. Allie works with our business, employment, and labor law litigation teams, with a specific focus on representation of insurers and employers in workers' compensation claims. Allie has worked as a paralegal for over ten years in Nevada and California. She is a member of the Sierra Nevada Association of Paralegals ("SNAP") and is commissioned in Washoe County as a Notary Public.
Prior to working as a paralegal, Allie worked with at-risk foster youth for over 5 years.
Amanda Yen is a Partner at McDonald Carano and focuses her practice primarily in Commercial & Complex Litigation and Appellate Law. She is recognized for her relentless approach to high-stakes litigation, utilizing her expansive knowledge of procedural issues, rules and experience in every aspect of litigation to her clients' advantage in the courtroom. Ms. Yen's extensive litigation experience includes her involvement as second chair on one of Nevada's most complex construction and business litigation cases involving the largest privately funded construction project in the United States. Ms. Yen also regularly acts as local counsel for several national and international law firms in Nevada's state and federal courts, and has acted as local counsel for multidistrict litigation involving complex products liability issues.
Before joining McDonald Carano, Ms. Yen was a judicial law clerk for the United States District Court where she wrote briefs, attended trials and prepared orders on all types of civil and criminal matters. While a clerk, she also prepared bench memoranda for and attended hearings at the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Author
- Receives Commercial Real Estate Industry Leader Award
Mr. Gabriel represents lenders, borrowers, and guarantors in secured commercial real property and personal property financing transactions, including lender legal opinions, loan workouts and restructuring, receiverships, and foreclosures; landlords and tenants in the negotiation and drafting of retail, industrial, and office leases, resolution of lease disputes, and lease default workouts; buyers and sellers of commercial real property, business entities, and assets; common interest community owners' associations; real estate brokers and property managers; business owners and executives in the negotiation of contracts and the resolution of contract disputes; and Nevada corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships and their shareholders, directors, members, managers, and partners in entity formation and governance matters.
McDonald Carano congratulates Andy Gabriel on receiving a "Lawyers in Real Estate Award" from Connect CRE. Andy is one of only 10 lawyers recognized in Connect CRE's list of the…
McDonald Carano congratulates Andy Gabriel on receiving his second "Lawyer of the Year" award from The Best Lawyers in America® for the Las Vegas metropolitan region. In the 2024 edition of…
McDonald Carano congratulates Andy Gabriel on his 15th consecutive year of being ranked in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. In addition to earning individual recognition in both Corporate/Commercial…
Brian Grubb joined McDonald Carano in 2010 and has over 20 years of paralegal experience. He is part of the Commercial & Complex Litigation Group of McDonald Carano. He assists in all forms of written discovery, including document disclosures, document management, third-party discovery practices, and finalization of motion papers and their supporting documents. Brian is also experienced in electronic document productions from their initial organization and import through review and final disclosure. He also assists in collection efforts on judgments.
Brian has significant experience in all phases of trial, including detailed preparation, working with Court staff, finalizing trial exhibits, and displaying and drawing attention to those exhibits during trial presentation. He works on litigation matters in state and federal courts and appeals pending in the Nevada Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
In addition to working with the Commercial & Complex Litigation Group, Brian also supports the Bankruptcy, Construction Law, and Employment & Labor Law Groups.
Brian Grubb joined McDonald Carano in 2010 and has over 20 years of paralegal experience. He is part of the Commercial & Complex Litigation Group of McDonald Carano. He assists in all forms of written discovery, including document disclosures, document management, third-party discovery practices, and finalization of motion papers and their supporting documents. Brian is also experienced in electronic document productions from their initial organization and import through review and final disclosure. He also assists in collection efforts on judgments.
Brian has significant experience in all phases of trial, including detailed preparation, working with Court staff, finalizing trial exhibits, and displaying and drawing attention to those exhibits during trial presentation. He works on litigation matters in state and federal courts and appeals pending in the Nevada Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
In addition to working with the Commercial & Complex Litigation Group, Brian also supports the Bankruptcy, Construction Law, and Employment & Labor Law Groups.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Lawyer of the Year" Award in Corporate Law from Best Lawyers®
McDonald Carano congratulates Brian Schusterman on receiving the "Lawyer of the Year" award in Corporate Law from The Best Lawyers in America® for the greater Reno region. "Lawyer of the Year"…
Brian Pick counsels companies at all stages of development through issues related to formation and governance, operation and management, fundraising and growth, and acquisitions and sales. Brian is a member of the Business Entities & Transactions Practice, which is ranked Band 1 by Chambers USA 2021.
Job Titles:
- Director, Government Affairs & Advocacy
- in 2023 As a Director
Cassidy joined McDonald Carano in 2023 as a Director in our Government Affairs & Advocacy Group. Cassidy is a native Nevadan born and raised in Las Vegas. Her home-state roots provide her with the knowledge, experience, and relationships that form the foundation for her career in government affairs, legislative advocacy, policy development, and community relations.
McDonald Carano shares the exciting news that Cassidy Wilson has joined our Las Vegas office as a Director in our Government Affairs & Advocacy Group! Cassidy is a native Nevadan…
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Attorney in the Commercial
- Legal Writer
Chelsea Latino is an attorney in the Commercial & Complex Litigation, Appellate, and Employment & Labor Law Practice Groups. Chelsea serves as Vice-Chair of the Employment & Labor Law Practice Group. She represents clients from a variety of industries such as healthcare, gaming and hospitality, mining, construction, real estate development, and manufacturing, and regularly serves as local counsel for out-of-state firms in Nevada's state and federal courts.
Chelsea is a skilled legal writer and advocate, with a comprehensive understanding of procedural issues and rules, and long-range strategic sensibilities. Her commercial litigation experience covers a variety of issues in state and federal court, including contractual disputes, commercial torts, insurance coverage, products liability, shareholder litigation, and complex business disputes. She regularly handles employment-related litigation involving discrimination, wage and hour, and wrongful termination claims, in addition to advising clients on employment decisions, policies and procedures, and employee handbooks. Chelsea further focuses her practice on appellate law, frequently representing clients in appeals before Nevada's appellate courts and the Ninth Circuit, as well as administrative and trial-court level appeals in bankruptcy and land-use and planning matters. Chelsea also dedicates her practice to serving the community through frequent pro bono work.
Prior to joining McDonald Carano, Chelsea clerked for the Honorable Justice Mark Gibbons of the Nevada Supreme Court. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, and her J.D. from UNLV's Boyd School of Law, where she was a judicial extern to the Honorable Judge Andrew Gordon of the U.S. District Court, District of Nevada, managing editor of the Nevada Law Journal, and president of the appellate moot court competition team. Chelsea also received numerous honors for her work during law school, including CALI Awards for the highest grade in pretrial litigation and each of her legal research and writing courses; Dean's Award for her contributions to the law school; SCRIBES Award from the Society for Legal Writers for her outstanding legal writing; and Pro Bono High Honors Award for her completion of over 100 hours of pro bono work.
McDonald Carano welcomes Chelsea Latino and Phil Mannelly to the partnership of our Firm effective January 1, 2024. They are skilled problem-solvers and tireless advocates for their clients. Chelsea and…
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney in the Real Estate
- Emerging Star of Development from NAIOP Developing Leaders Institute
Chris Molina is an attorney in the Real Estate & Land Use Group. His practice focuses on real estate transactions, land use matters and complex real estate litigation. Mr. Molina represents business clients in both California and Nevada in real estate acquisitions, dispositions, commercial leases, as well as general corporate transactions. He routinely advises clients in regulated industries such as marijuana and gaming in connection with land use entitlements and zoning issues for projects across Southern Nevada. With a strong background in real estate transactions and land use matters, Mr. Molina is skilled at handling high stakes, complex real estate litigation matters including quiet title actions, commercial lease disputes, and eminent domain and inverse condemnation cases.
Mr. Molina's background also includes representation of individual and corporate clients with complex tax matters including civil tax controversies and income tax planning, as well as offering counsel to tax exempt organizations. He has also assisted clients with intellectual property matters involving trademark registration and protection, and assisted clients with all aspects of the business life cycle from entity formation to dissolution.
Before joining McDonald Carano, Mr. Molina began his career practicing law with one of the oldest and most respected law firms in Central California.
McDonald Carano congratulates Chris Molina on graduating from the NAIOP Southern Nevada Developing Leaders Institute, serving as 2023 Class President, receiving Emerging Star of Development recognition, and leading his team…
Job Titles:
- in 2024 As a Litigation Paralegal
- Member of the Sierra Nevada Paralegal Association
- Paralegal
Dedra Sonne joined McDonald Carano in 2024 as a Litigation Paralegal. She assists with the preparation and management of all phases of litigation, from initial disclosures to trial. Dedra has conducted legal research and analyzed laws, statutes, legal articles, codes, and regulations. She also manages case files, tracks deadlines, and ensures timely filing of legal documents.
Dedra has nearly 10 years of experience providing extensive litigation support, including drafting pleadings, motions, affidavits, and other legal documents. She also coordinates and manages e-discovery processes, including document review and production. Dedra assists attorneys in preparing for depositions, hearings, trials, and client meetings. She works with clients, witnesses, court officials, and other professionals to gather and verify information.
Dedra is a member of the Sierra Nevada Paralegal Association and has been serving as Vice President since 2022. She is a member of the Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Nevada as well as a member of the Advisory Board for the American Bar Association-approved Paralegal Program at Truckee Meadows Community College. Dedra is also a Notary Public in the State of Nevada.
Dedra Sonne joined McDonald Carano in 2024 as a Litigation Paralegal. She assists with the preparation and management of all phases of litigation, from initial disclosures to trial. Dedra has conducted legal research and analyzed laws, statutes, legal articles, codes, and regulations. She also manages case files, tracks deadlines, and ensures timely filing of legal documents.
Dedra has nearly 10 years of experience providing extensive litigation support, including drafting pleadings, motions, affidavits, and other legal documents. She also coordinates and manages e-discovery processes, including document review and production. Dedra assists attorneys in preparing for depositions, hearings, trials, and client meetings. She works with clients, witnesses, court officials, and other professionals to gather and verify information.
Dedra is a member of the Sierra Nevada Paralegal Association and has been serving as Vice President since 2022. She is a member of the Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Nevada as well as a member of the Advisory Board for the American Bar Association-approved Paralegal Program at Truckee Meadows Community College. Dedra is also a Notary Public in the State of Nevada.
McDonald Carano congratulates Dennis Gutwald on receiving recognition in Gaming & Licensing Law in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2023, the legal profession's highly respected guide for helping…
Job Titles:
- Chief Administrative Officer
- CAO
Diana Borova is the Chief Administrative Officer of McDonald Carano. She is an accomplished business professional with more than 20 years of experience handling business administration and financial management in professional services, non-profit, and marketing industries. Prior to joining McDonald Carano, Ms. Borova served as the Chief Administrative Officer of one of the 50 largest public accounting and advisory firms in the U.S. with more than 800 professionals on the West Coast.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator, Government Affairs & Advocacy
Elissa is a Coordinator in McDonald Carano's Government Affairs & Advocacy Group. She assists with policy research, data management, monitors hearings and meetings, and provides reports for clients. She assists with informational graphics, end-of-session reports, and election cycle updates. Elissa also assists the Group with its organization, administration, and communication needs.
Emily Dennis is a litigation attorney in McDonald Carano's Las Vegas office. Before joining McDonald Carano, Emily served as a law clerk for the Honorable Kristina Pickering of the Nevada Supreme Court.
Emily attended UC Davis School of Law, and clerked for the Office of the Federal Public Defender of the Eastern District of California (Capital Habeas Unit); the Office of the Alameda County Public Defender (Felony Unit, Law & Motions); and the Office of the Contra Costa County Public Defender (Juvenile Defense Unit). She served in the school's Civil Rights Clinic, co-authoring briefs before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals which resulted in a published opinion (Chambers v. Herrera, et al, No. 20-55004 (9th Cir. Aug. 15, 2023)), and the Wage Claim & Unemployment Insurance Clinic.
Emily was also a Senior Online Editor of the UC Davis Law Review, the 1L Competition Co-Chair of the Moot Court Honors Board, an Academic Success Tutor for First-Year Criminal Law and Property Law, and a member of the Lambda Law Students Association for LGBTQIA+ students and allies. She earned seven Witkin/Reynoso Awards for Academic Excellence (highest class grade) and one Reynoso Award for Academic Achievement (second highest class grade).
Before starting her legal career, Emily worked in retail management and nonprofit fundraising, served two AmeriCorps terms, and acted in local theater productions.
Job Titles:
- of Counsel
- Member of the Employment & Labor Law Practice Group
Emily Dubansky is a member of the Employment & Labor Law Practice Group and Commercial & Complex Litigation Practice Group. Her litigation practice includes trial and appellate work in state and federal courts, administrative hearings and other proceedings before regulatory agencies, and private arbitration and mediation.
McDonald Carano congratulates Bud Hicks and Greg Giordano for their inclusion on the list of Gaming Law Super Lawyers in the 2022 edition of Mountain States Super Lawyers! The Mountain…
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner in the Business Entities
James Robertson is a Partner in the Business Entities & Transactions Practice Group and Gaming & Administrative Law Practice Group. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt financings, and commercial transactions. Mr. Robertson has specialty gaming industry experience and unique in-house general counsel and executive experience.
Mr. Robertson represents publicly traded and privately owned companies, startups, entrepreneurs, individual investors, and investment funds in corporate and commercial transactions, corporate governance matters, and regulatory compliance matters. Mr. Robertson prides himself on providing client-focused legal services that are practical and efficient, and aligned with business strategy. He combines his unique in-house General Counsel and executive leadership experience with his outside counsel areas of expertise to advise and guide clients and their management teams in all aspects of their business operations.
Mr. Robertson's extensive mergers and acquisitions experience includes seller and buyer-side representations in strategic acquisitions by middle-market companies and startups, industry consolidation and rollup acquisitions, private equity buyouts, and management buyouts. Mr. Robertson also regularly advises clients in loan transactions, venture capital and private equity financings, reorganizations, joint venture formations, and in connection with SEC and securities law compliance matters, corporate governance matters, and business strategy decisions. Additionally, Mr. Robertson helps clients negotiate a wide variety of complex commercial transactions, including trademark, patent, and other intellectual property license agreements, SaaS agreements, software development agreements, distribution agreements, celebrity endorsement agreements, and franchise agreements.
In addition to currently serving as outside General Counsel to a multi-national supplier of casino gaming products, game development studios, distributors of gaming products, and an online gaming operator, Mr. Robertson's special expertise in the gaming industry includes previously serving as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of a Las Vegas-based group of affiliated gaming industry businesses consisting of a casino technology supplier, game insurance underwriter, mobile and online casino game developer, and a hotel, spa and casino. Mr. Robertson currently serves as a member of the Gaming Group Compliance Committee. He also previously served as Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary for a publicly traded, multi-national gaming technology supplier based in Reno and later served as its Chief Executive Officer and President. In that role, Mr. Robertson was responsible for all business activities and operations in 41 states and four international markets, provided leadership and direction to a staff of approximately 150 employees, and also led ongoing negotiations with lenders, large shareholders, and prospective investors, during a period of transformative events that culminated in the sale of the company.
Prior to joining McDonald Carano, Mr. Robertson was a Partner in a full-service regional law firm where he was a member of the firm's Corporate, Real Estate, Securities, and Tax practice groups.
Mr. Robertson grew up in Carson City. He has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Colorado at Boulder, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and received his J.D. from the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
June 4th, 2021 (Las Vegas) - McDonald Carano is pleased to announce that James Robertson has joined the firm as a Partner in the Business Entities & Transactions Practice Group…
John Galvin represents individuals and families in connection with wealth preservation, including trust, estate, gift, income tax, business succession and charitable planning initiatives. John advises on all types of asset protection - ranging from simple wills, to the most complex irrevocable trusts, and in all kinds of probate and conservatorship matters. He drafts revocable and irrevocable trusts, life insurance trusts, durable powers of attorney and split-interest charitable trusts. In addition, he is also involved in business buy-sell agreements and cross-purchase trusts, as well as in making other types of arrangements for owners of closely held business.
John offers specific expertise in estate tax and fiduciary income tax matters, with significant experience in both uncontested and contested probate, conservatorship and trust proceedings. In addition to his law degree, John is a Certified Public Accountant and uses this background to assist clients and their accountants in the preparation of Federal and state gift and estate tax returns. He is also effective in resolving controversies with the IRS and other taxing authorities in connection with income, gift and estate tax filings and sales use tax issues.
In addition, John is involved in estate related challenges pertaining to fee controversies, ownership and creditor problems, alleged breaches of trust and will/trust contests. John also advises institutional and individual fiduciaries with probate, post-mortem and lifetime trust administration, court and non-judicial accountings; and the establishment, maintenance and monitoring of trust and estate accounts.
John relocated to Santa Ynez Valley from Reno, Nevada in 2004, and returned to Nevada in 2014. John has served on the boards of a number of professional and community organizations, including the Santa Ynez Valley Bar Association, the Estate Planning Council of Northern Nevada, and the Los Olivos School District Foundation. He is a member of the Washoe County and American Bar Associations.
Jonathan Jossel is the CEO of Plaza Hotel & Casino. At the age of 29 he became the youngest licensed casino operator in Nevada. Gaming Law Partner Dennis Gutwald guided…
Josh Hicks leads McDonald Carano's Government Affairs and Advocacy Group. A veteran lawyer with deep roots in Nevada, Josh focuses his practice in four main areas.
Josh Hicks, Chair of McDonald Carano's Government Affairs & Advocacy Group, and Lindsay Knox, Vice President of the Government Affairs & Advocacy Group, provided a presentation to the Southern Nevada…
McDonald Carano congratulates Josh Hicks on his election to Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Nevada Taxpayers Association. Josh has been a member of the Board of Directors and the…
Josh Hicks, Chair of McDonald Carano's Government Affairs & Advocacy Group, was interviewed on Nevada Newsmakers about critical and controversial issues of the day. Nevada Newsmakers is the premier state-wide…
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Partner
- Chairman of the Employment & Labor Law Practice Group at McDonald Carano, Shared Her Insights and Advice in a Law360 Article Titled "Verifying Vaccination Status
Kristen Gallagher is Co-Chair of McDonald Carano's Employment & Labor Law Practice and is a member of the Commercial & Complex Litigation Practice.
Ms. Gallagher's clients include startups, corporations, public entities, non-profit organizations, trade associations, and public-private partnerships throughout Nevada. She has assisted employers in all sectors of the economy, including insurance, financial services, telecommunications, retail, professional sports, gaming, hospitality, lodging, manufacturing, agriculture, education, technology, energy, transportation, construction, real estate, utilities, healthcare, entertainment and tourism.
Ms. Gallagher handles a wide variety of employment and labor related litigation claims, including class actions, that are both national in scope and specific to Nevada law, such as wrongful termination, wage and hour disputes, employment discrimination, and labor-related matters. Her litigation practice includes deep experience with a comprehensive range of laws governing the workplace, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Equal Pay Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the WARN Act and many other federal and state laws.
Ms. Gallagher has represented clients before the Nevada Supreme Court and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as before state and federal employment and labor regulatory agencies and boards in connection with investigations and other administrative proceedings.
Ms. Gallagher counsels clients on issues regarding hiring and termination policies and procedures, employment contracts and related agreements, and employee handbooks, as well as provides analysis and advice to clients in their day-to-day operations and pre-litigation matters. She also conducts internal investigations on nearly every type of current and emerging workplace misconduct allegation, including ethics violations, hostile work environment, harassment, discrimination, bullying, retaliation, implicit bias, substance abuse, and fraud. She also advises on and supervises internal employer investigations to assure compliance with state and federal laws.
Ms. Gallagher is a go-to attorney for national and international law firms looking to navigate Nevada law, as well as local rules and practice. Ms. Gallagher has provided local counsel assistance in a wide variety of matters concerning patent law, federal and state wage and hour laws, employment discrimination, breach of contract, intentional torts, civil conspiracy, anti-trust laws, and under 28 U.S.C. § 1782 seeking discovery for use in a foreign proceeding.
Ms. Gallagher also handles a wide variety of commercial litigation disputes in state and federal court across an array of business industries involving issues such as breach of contract, fraud and other intentional business torts, breach of warranty, negligence, strict products liability, trademark and patent rights and obligations, and trade secrets.
A Chicagoland native, Ms. Gallagher attended Indiana University, Bloomington, graduating with a B.S. in Business from the Kelly School of Business. She also has a Master of Social Work from UNLV and received her J.D. from UNLV's Boyd School of Law, graduating magna cum laude. Before graduate and law school, Ms. Gallagher worked in the insurance industry, most recently as a fraud investigator. She is also on the faculty with NITA, instructing local attorneys on deposition skills.
Kristen Gallagher, Chair of the Employment & Labor Law Practice Group at McDonald Carano, shared her insights and advice in a Law360 article titled "Verifying Vaccination Status: What Employers Need…
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner in the Trust & Estates
Lance McKenzie is a Partner in the Trust & Estates Law Practice Group, focusing his practice on the representation of high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, as well as private family trust companies. He has received TEP designation from the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and is the author of several published articles, including Private Family Trusts: A Handbook for Advisors.
Mr. McKenzie regularly handles formation and operation of private family trust companies in Nevada, providing clients with long-term asset management and wealth preservation strategies through multiple generations. In working with private family trust companies, he is responsible for the creation of policy and procedure manuals and initial documents, onboarding trusts and ensuring compliance.
Mr. McKenzie also works closely with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients on strategies to protect and preserve wealth, providing sophisticated estate tax planning and estate administration for individuals and businesses, including strategic planning strategies for asset protection, gift tax planning, probate and trust administration, charitable and private foundations, and business transactions.
Mr. McKenzie's practice also encompasses transactional work, including entity formations and structuring buy-sell agreements. He is a former adjunct professor in Business Law at the University of Nevada-Reno and is recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the category of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships).
Mr. McKenzie participates in the Lawyer in the Library program hosted by the Washoe County Law Library, a monthly program that offers unrepresented litigants the opportunity to speak with a lawyer free of charge. Mr. McKenzie was previously on the Board of Directors for KNBP Channel 5 Public Television and is a former Advisory Board Member for the Community Foundation of Western Nevada.
Lance McKenzie is a Partner in the Trust & Estates Law Practice Group, focusing his practice on the representation of high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, as well as private family trust companies. He has received TEP designation from the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and is the author of several published articles, including Private Family Trusts: A Handbook for Advisors.
Mr. McKenzie regularly handles formation and operation of private family trust companies in Nevada, providing clients with long-term asset management and wealth preservation strategies through multiple generations. In working with private family trust companies, he is responsible for the creation of policy and procedure manuals and initial documents, onboarding trusts and ensuring compliance.
Mr. McKenzie also works closely with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients on strategies to protect and preserve wealth, providing sophisticated estate tax planning and estate administration for individuals and businesses, including strategic planning strategies for asset protection, gift tax planning, probate and trust administration, charitable and private foundations, and business transactions.
Mr. McKenzie's practice also encompasses transactional work, including entity formations and structuring buy-sell agreements. He is a former adjunct professor in Business Law at the University of Nevada-Reno and is recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the category of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships).
Mr. McKenzie participates in the Lawyer in the Library program hosted by the Washoe County Law Library, a monthly program that offers unrepresented litigants the opportunity to speak with a lawyer free of charge. Mr. McKenzie was previously on the Board of Directors for KNBP Channel 5 Public Television and is a former Advisory Board Member for the Community Foundation of Western Nevada.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Lawyer of the Year" Award in Labor & Employment Litigation from Best Lawyers in America 2022
McDonald Carano proudly announces that Best Lawyers in America 2022 has named Leigh Goddard "Lawyer of the Year" for the Reno metropolitan region in Labor & Employment Litigation. Best Lawyers…
Job Titles:
- Vice President of the Government Affairs & Advocacy Group
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Lawyer of the Year" Award from
Job Titles:
- Lawyers Magazine - Super Lawyer
Mountain States Super Lawyers Magazine - "Super Lawyer" (2008-2018)
Professional Affiliations
Member, Executive Committee, Nevada State Bar's Business Law Section
Former member, Board of Directors, Meritas
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Nevada Gaming Counsel
- Partner in Our Gaming Law Practice and a Former Chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board ( NGCB ), Shared His Insights and Perspectives on a Variety of Gaming
- Partner in the Gaming & Administrative
A.G. Burnett is a Partner in the Gaming & Administrative Law Group with McDonald Carano. For nearly 20 years he served as a gaming regulator before joining McDonald Carano. Due to his extensive experience working in and with regulatory agencies in Nevada and throughout the world, he is uniquely positioned to advise regulatory agencies, federal agencies and others in meeting and crafting regulatory standards, as well as represent gaming industry individuals, businesses and investors, including those in the rapidly developing areas of sports betting and Esports, in navigating regulatory requirements in Nevada and across international borders. Mr. Burnett also assists companies with their compliance programs and compliance obligations, and has served as an expert witness in a contested gaming-related tax matter.
Mr. Burnett is highly ranked in The Best Lawyers in America (Lawyer of the Year award in 2020 and 2023) and Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business (only Band 1 ranked gaming lawyer in Nevada). Clients describe Mr. Burnett to Chambers researchers as "He's got unbelievable insight into the gaming regulatory world. He has a great network and understands how the regulators think." "A dynamic team player who strives for win/win solutions to complex problems." "He has a great network within the gaming regulatory community, and he uniquely understands how the regulators think about things." "He is incredibly knowledgeable and has expertise in gaming law." "He comes up with practical solutions for complicated problems." "A.G. is an excellent lawyer."
Prior to joining McDonald Carano, Mr. Burnett served as the Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) from 2012 through 2017 and as a member of the Governor's Gaming Policy Committee. During his service as Chairman of the NGCB, Mr. Burnett was the State's primary representative before the Nevada Legislature on matters pertaining to the gaming industry and was also responsible for negotiation and oversight of compacts with sovereign tribal organizations having gaming operations in the State of Nevada. Prior to serving as NGCB Chairman and as a Member of the NGCB, Mr. Burnett was employed by the NGCB as Deputy Chief of the NGCB's Corporate Securities Division where he oversaw regulatory and investigative activities concerning publicly traded companies and lenders involved in the gaming industry. During his service with the NGCB, he worked extensively with the regulators of other gaming jurisdictions on matters of shared interest relating to the gaming industry and its growth throughout the world.
Prior to his employment with the NGCB, Mr. Burnett served as Senior Deputy Nevada Attorney General representing the NGCB, the Nevada Gaming Commission, and the Nevada Commission on Sports. During that time, he handled litigation matters on behalf of Nevada's regulatory authorities including disciplinary actions, tax disputes, and disputed licensing matters. From 2012 to 2015, he served as a Trustee and the Treasurer for the International Association of Gaming Regulators. He also serves as a member of the William S. Boyd School of Law Gaming Law Advisory Board. For six years, Mr. Burnett also served on the Executive Committee of the State Bar of Nevada's Gaming Law Section.
Mr. Burnett has provided testimony and has spoken extensively on matters relating to gaming regulation, cooperation among gaming authorities, regulatory compliance, and current developments in the gaming industry throughout the United States and various international venues. Mr. Burnett currently serves in an advisory and consulting role to the American Gaming Association, specifically regarding the legalization and regulation of gaming and sports betting throughout the U.S. In this role, he provides strategic guidance to the AGA and its stakeholders such as state and federal legislators and regulators.
Mr. Burnett currently serves as Nevada Gaming Counsel (and advises regarding other matters including gaming policy and lobbying assistance, gaming licensing in other jurisdictions, mergers and acquisitions, and employment matters) and/or serves as an independent member of the Regulatory and Compliance Committee of gaming companies based in Australia, Japan, Korea, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom. Mr. Burnett served as Nevada Gaming Counsel to Hard Rock International in its December 13, 2021 agreement to acquire the operations of The Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for $1.075 billion and enter into a long-term lease agreement with VICI Properties Inc. for the real estate property of The Mirage.
Professional Affiliations
Member, Nevada Advisory Committee, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition
Member, International Masters of Gaming Law
Member, International Association of Gaming Advisors (former member of Board of Trustees, former member of Regulator Relations Committee, former Chair of Governance Committee)
Member, Gaming Law Advisory Board, UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law
McDonald Carano proudly shares the news that A.G. Burnett joined the Board of Directors of Northern Nevada HOPES. For more than 25 years Northern Nevada HOPES has been on the frontline…
A.G. Burnett, a Partner in our Gaming Law Practice and a former Chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB), shared his insights and perspectives on a variety of gaming…
McDonald Carano congratulates A.G. Burnett for receiving his second Lawyer of the Year award in Gaming Law from The Best Lawyers in America. A.G. received the award in the 2023…
Las Vegas, NV (October 15, 2018) McDonald Carano is pleased to announce that A.G. Burnett, partner in the firm's Gaming & Administrative Law Group, has been selected to receive the…
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Commercial & Complex Litigation Practice
McDonald Carano proudly congratulates Pat Lundvall, Chair of the Commercial & Complex Litigation Practice, and Leigh Goddard, Chair of the Trust, Estate & Fiduciary Litigation Practice, for achieving the prestigious…