Law firm honored with Tier 1 ranking
Naylor & Braster Attorneys at Law has been selected for a Metropolitan Tier 1 ranking in Las Vegas Commercial Litigation in the 2018 U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” edition. Managed by attorneys Jennifer Braster and John Naylor, the firm has been recognized as a Best Law Firm for the past three years.
The 2018 U.S. News — Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on assessments from more than 13,000 attorneys, the highest number of participating firms and client ballots on record. To be eligible for a ranking, a firm must have a lawyer listed in The Best Lawyers in America, which recognizes the top four percent of practicing attorneys in the U.S. For more information, visit bestlawfirms.usnews.com.
Naylor has been recognized as a Best Lawyer annually since 2015, providing the firm’s eligibility for its third Best Law Firms ranking. In addition, he has been selected to Super Lawyers every year since 2015 and has a 10.0 rating from Avvo. Naylor has previously been recognized as a Mountain States Super Lawyer, a Legal Elite by Nevada Business Magazine and a Top Lawyer by Vegas Inc.
Braster has also received myriad legal and professional recognitions, including Mountain States Super Lawyers, Desert Companion’s Top Lawyers, Vegas Inc’s Women 2 Watch, NAWBO’s Women of Distinction and several designations from Nevada Business Magazine. She also holds a rating from Super Lawyers and a 10.0 rating from Avvo.
Las Vegas-based law firm Naylor & Braster was founded in 2014 by John Naylor and Jennifer Braster. The firm focuses on commercial litigation, appellate law, consumer finance law and construction law.
American Heart Association recognizes Southern Nevada companies
The 2017 results of the American Heart Association Workplace Health Achievement Index were announced. In Southern Nevada, nine companies were recognized for taking significant steps to build a culture of health in the workplace. The American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, created the Index with its CEO Roundtable members, a leadership collaborative of more than 30 CEOs from some of America’s largest companies who are committed to applying evidence-based approaches to improve their employees’ overall health.
In Southern Nevada, the following companies were recognized in the Workplace Health Achievement Index:
• Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican — Bronze Level
• Nevada State Bank — Bronze Level
• Solar City — Bronze Level
• NV Energy — Bronze Level
• University Medical Center of Southern Nevada — Bronze Level
• ACEP — Early Adopter
• City of Las Vegas — Early Adopter
• Clark County School District — Early Adopter
• Goodwill of Southern Nevada — Early Adopter
The Index uses science-based best practices to evaluate the overall quality and comprehensiveness of their workplace health programs. A unique feature of the Index is that it calculates an average heart health score for employees of participating companies that securely submit aggregate health data.
More than 800 companies completed the Index assessment this year and, of those companies, 67 percent received either Gold, Silver or Bronze recognition. Companies receive benchmarking reports, which allow them to identify potential areas of improvement so that they can advance their annual performance and recognition.
“The American Heart Association is building a culture of health and well-being throughout the country, and on behalf of the Association, we congratulate these local companies and thank them for their efforts in cultivating healthier workplaces and communities,” said Georges Maalouf, member, American Heart Association Las Vegas Division Board of Directors and Executive Vice President, Brown and Brown.
The Association’s Workplace Health Achievement Index allows companies to measure the effectiveness of their workplace health programs, as well as the overall heart health of their employees. Unlike other existing organizational scorecards, the Index also scores companies on the heart health of their employees based on Life’s Simple 7 — the Association’s scientifically validated definition of ideal heart health. The key factors contributing to optimal heart health include smoking cessation, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, eating a healthy diet, managing blood pressure, lowering cholesterol and keeping blood sugar at a healthy level.
Scientific research shows that improving these seven factors can lead to significant reductions in heart disease, stroke, cancer and many other health problems. In addition, people who achieve ideal cardiovascular health by age 50 have a significantly lower risk of heart disease and stroke and live, on average, approximately 10 years longer than people with two or more risk factors.
The American Heart Association’s Workplace Health Achievement Index assessment is grounded in data-driven science, and a quality improvement framework. According to the Nielsen 2016 Employee Health Survey, robust and comprehensive strategies for well-being are associated with positive impacts on employees’ health.
Nevada National Security Site project wins national award
The Nevada National Security Site’s Geometrically Enhanced Photocathode project was selected as a winner for this year’s 55th annual R&D 100 Awards, which took place Nov. 17, as part of the third annual R&D 100 Conference in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
The Geometrically Enhanced Photocathode project was led by principal scientist Dr. Kathy Opachich of the NNSS’ Livermore Operations in Livermore, California. Opachich accepted the award along with NNSS Site Director James Holt.
Long considered the most globally prestigious recognition of invention and innovation, the R&D 100 Awards honor the 100 most innovative technologies of the past year. This is the NNSS’ fifth win since 2009. Additionally, one of the company’s projects was a finalist in 2015.
“I am excited to represent the NNSS and to share this work with the rest of the scientific community,” Opachich said upon winning the R&D 100 Award. “This award is a wonderful way to reward the extraordinary amount of work that goes into scientific and technological innovation.”
Opachich worked with LO colleagues and collaborators from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, General Atomics and Nanoshift, LLC, to develop the recessed geometrically enhanced photocathode designed to improve high-energy efficiency in X-ray detectors.
Scientific X-ray detectors are used to take snapshots of quickly changing phenomenon under extreme conditions that do not exist naturally on Earth. These detectors are designed to work at specific X-ray energies and need to be upgraded to collect good data outside of their working range. As part of the project, a structured cathode has been designed, fabricated and tested in an X-ray detector. The cathode was designed to improve images (make them sharper and brighter) without changing the accuracy of the data. The cathode was first modeled in computer software, then sent to Nanoshift to develop a fabrication recipe and make a prototype. The final cathode was tested in an actual X-ray detector to show that it improves the collected data without any compromise. The device can be changed to suit any X-ray detector and can be easily made and tested.
“The geometrically enhanced photocathode proves that we can push the limits on what we can do in quantum efficiency—that is, improve our ability to see finer detail in the dynamics of fusion experiments than before. Not being able to do this previously is what has limited our progress. With this geometrically enhanced photocathode, we’re getting better and more data, and it lets us view the dynamics of fusion much more clearly,” said Howard Bender, distinguished scientist and site-directed research and development manager at the NNSS’ Los Alamos Operations in Los Alamos, New Mexico.
Bender mentioned that the geometrically enhanced photocathode would be useful in other scientific research for probing states of matter, molecular dynamics, high-speed streak cameras and potential medical applications.
In addition to an R&D 100 Award, this innovation resulted in a full patent and several publications.
Katrina Jonah earns CExP designation
Katrina Jonah, JD, LLM (Tax), CExP member of The BEI Network of Exit Planning Professionals, recently earned the designation of a BEI Certified Exit Planner. The BEI CExP™ designation is the standard for Exit Planning certification.
“Exit Planning Professionals who successfully complete the BEI Certified Exit Planner program have come to be known as premiere exit planning professionals because their in-depth knowledge and demonstrated application of The BEI Seven Step Exit Planning Process perfectly positions them to counsel business owners and their advisers on a wide array of business issues ranging from building value within a business to identifying exit objectives, addressing key employee incentive planning and retention issues, incorporating business continuity planning and establishing wealth preservation,” said John Brown, president of Business Enterprise Institute.
Jonah is an exit planning consultant working with mid-market business owners at Jondewin Consulting Services LLC. She helps business owners determine their exit planning goals and helps them work on value drivers to increase the value of their business. She is also a licensed business broker working with Sunbelt Business Advisors, the largest main street and lower middle-market business intermediary firm in the world.
Katrina received her JD from California Western School of Law in San Diego, California. She earned her LLM (Tax) from the University of San Diego in San Diego, California.
Eighty-Nine Fisher Phillips attorneys selected nationwide
Fisher Phillips announced that Mark J. Ricciardi and Scott M. Mahoney have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2018. Mahoney is a partner with the firm and Ricciardi is the Las Vegas office’s managing partner.
Nationwide, Fisher Phillips has 89 attorneys who were selected. The attorneys, who practice in labor and employment law, labor and employment litigation, employee benefits law or immigration law represent 26 regional offices.
This marks the 20th time Ricciardi has been selected for inclusion. In addition, five lawyers from the firm have been named Best Lawyers’ 2018 “Lawyers of the Year” for their practices in their geographic regions.
The firm has more than 350 attorneys in 32 offices. In addition to Las Vegas, the offices are in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbia, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Gulfport, Houston, Irvine, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, New Jersey, New Orleans, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa and Washington, D.C.
Fennemore Craig attorneys named to Best Lawyers
Fennemore Craig, a leading Mountain West business law firm, announced 16 attorneys in the firm’s Las Vegas office were recognized by Best Lawyers in America 2018, a prominent and prestigious annual ranking of law firms and attorneys. Of the 16 attorneys recognized, two attorneys were named Best Lawyers in America 2018 — Lawyer of the Year.
“Our attorneys continuously strive to provide superior service to our clients,” said Mark Hawkins, office managing partner of Fennemore Craig’s Las Vegas office. “We congratulate our lawyers who have been recognized by their peers for their continued dedication to their practice.”
The following Fennemore Craig attorneys were named Best Lawyers in America 2018 — Lawyer of the Year:
• Thomas H. Fell — Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Lynn S. Fulstone — Health Care Law
The following Fennemore Craig attorneys are listed in Best Lawyers in America 2018:
• Richard G. Barrier — Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
• Richard H. Bryan — Government Relations Practice, Land Use and Zoning Law
• Michael E. Buckley — Real Estate Law
• Chris H. Byrd — Construction Law, Litigation – Construction
• Thomas H. Fell — Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Litigation – Bankruptcy
• Lynn S. Fulstone — Health Care Law
• Gary R. Goodheart — Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Real Estate
• Mark A. Hawkins — Litigation – Real Estate, Real Estate Law
• Kevin J. Hejmanowski — Commercial Litigation
• Richard F. Jost — Government Contracts
• Samuel S. Lionel — Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law
• Bradley J. Richardson — Elder Law
• Patrick J. Sheehan — Commercial Litigation
• James L. Wadhams — Government Relations Practice
• Christopher Walther — Real Estate Law
• Jeffrey P. Zucker — Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
Fennemore Craig is a full service law firm for business with offices in Phoenix, Tucson, Nogales, Denver, Las Vegas and Reno. It celebrated its 130-year anniversary in 2015.
Pisanelli Bice earns top honors in Six U.S. News – Best Lawyers
Founding partners James J. Pisanelli and Todd L. Bice, of the litigation firm Pisanelli Bice PLLC, announced the firm earned six Tier 1 rankings in Las Vegas by U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” for 2018.
The firm’s top-level designations are in the areas of commercial litigation, appellate practice, construction law, construction litigation, first amendment litigation and real estate litigation.
Pisanelli Bice has a long history in the U.S. News – Best Lawyers rankings, having earned consecutive recognition for Tier 1 awards in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Bice was named to the top tier based on a comprehensive evaluation process that includes client and peer evaluations of the firm’s responsiveness, client needs assessment, integrity, competitiveness, civility and cost-effectiveness, as well as a review of additional information provided by law firms themselves as part of the submission and application process. To be eligible, firms must have at least one attorney in the current edition of Best Lawyers in America.
“We’re honored by this recognition from Best Lawyers,” Pisanelli said. “It’s great to have our firm’s approach and commitment as a full-service litigation firm recognized by the nation’s leading ranking service.”
Pisanelli Bice is a Las Vegas-based law firm focused primarily on commercial litigation. The firm, founded by attorneys James J. Pisanelli and Todd L. Bice, represents clients ranging from single-entity developers and entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 companies, municipalities, public agencies and some of Nevada’s largest gaming companies
15 Lewis Roca attorneys included in The Best Lawyers in America 2018
Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP announces that 15 of its Nevada attorneys are included in The Best Lawyers in America 2018. Tony Cabot was named Las Vegas Lawyer of the Year for Gaming Law and Michael Alonso was named Reno Lawyer of the Year for Government Relations Practice.
The complete list of Nevada attorneys from Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie recognized by Best Lawyers for 2018 includes:
• Michael Alonso — Gaming Law, Government Relations Practice
• Anthony Cabot — Gaming Law, Information Technology Law
• Howard Cole — Employment Law-Management, Labor Law-Management, Litigation-Labor and Employment
• Von S. Heinz — Commercial Litigation, Litigation-ERISA, Litigation-Labor and Employment
• Joel Henriod — Appellate Practice
• Scott MacTaggart — Corporate Law
• Donald Martin — Real Estate Law
• Michael McCue — Copyright Law, Litigation-Intellectual Property, Litigation-Patent, Trademark Law
• Sean McGuinness — Gaming Law
• David Mousel — Gaming Law
• Dan Polsenberg — Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation
• E. Leif Reid — Commercial Litigation, Litigation-Real Estate
• Karl Rutledge — Gaming Law
• Richard Trachok II — Gaming Law
• Dan R. Waite — Litigation-Banking and Finance
Best Lawyers lists are compiled annually by conducting peer-review surveys in which leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. Lawyer of the Year awards are presented to a single outstanding lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area.
Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP is an Am Law 200 commercial law firm for handling complex matters in litigation, intellectual property, business transactions, gaming, government relations and other practice areas. Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie offices are located in Albuquerque, Colorado Springs, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Irvine, Phoenix, Reno, Silicon Valley and Tucson.
Solomon Dwiggins & Freer Attorneys listed in Best Lawyers
Managing partners Mark A. Solomon and Dana A. Dwiggins, and partner Alan D. Freer of the firm Solomon Dwiggins & Freer, a Las Vegas-based boutique law firm dedicated to trust and estate law, were recently selected by their legal peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America 2018, a nationwide peer-reviewed publication.
Solomon was also named Best Lawyers Las Vegas “Lawyer of the Year” in the Litigation – Trust and Estates category. The publication recognizes a single lawyer as the “Lawyer of the Year” in each practice area and designated metropolitan area.