Empire Lawyers

Mike leads a 6-lawyer "dream team" that was awarded the gold medal for the LVRJ's "Best of Vegas" best criminal defense firm for 2017, 2018, and 2020 and best DUI lawyer for 2020. Known as one of the premier criminal and DUI defense lawyers in the nation, Mike has been helping clients fight--and beat--their criminal and DUI charges for 30 years. Attorney Michael Becker has taken more than 100 criminal cases to trial, securing dozens of "not guilty" verdicts and hung juries. He has achieved acquittals and/or dismissals in numerous serious felony cases, including murder, child abuse, rape, drugs...

Why did you become an attorney? From a young age the thought of becoming an advocate always appealed to me. The mere idea of having a profession, the education, and the ability to appear in court to present an argument lured me in. Upon turning 16 and obtaining a drivers license, I obtained employment as a runner at a law office. I maintained the same employment until the end of my college days at UNLV. Gaining experience from the attorneys and familiarizing myself with the court house. The influences I received throughout that opportunity sealed the deal. After college it was...

Garrett Sutton, Esq. is a Rich Dad Advisor, a nationally acclaimed corporate attorney and asset protection expert. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and Hastings College of the Law, the University of California’s law school in San Francisco, Garrett has written a number of books guiding entrepreneurs and investors. Garrett’s best sellers include: Start Your Own Corporation, Loopholes of Real Estate, Writing Winning Business Plans and Run Your Own Corporation in Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad Advisor series. Garrett is also the author of How to Use Limited Liability Companies & Limited Partnerships and the co-author of Finance...

Leonard H. Stone of Shook & Stone is a Las Vegas personal injury attorney who, with his partner John Shook, leads the way in strong representation for injured and victimized clients. He has helped recover millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements throughout his legal career. He attended law school at Loyola Marymount University Law School in Los Angeles. Soon after graduation, he was admitted to the State Bar of Nevada in 1995. He is also a good-standing and long-time member of the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association. He is actively involved with the American Association for Justice as well, which...

Selected by Super Lawyers as a 2023 Mountain States Rising Star, Las Vegas Defense Group attorney Adam Solinger practices criminal defense and family law in Nevada. Adam has a long track record of persuading prosecutors to dismiss or substantially reduce charges without a trial. Though if necessary, he is a seasoned courtroom litigator and is ready to argue for a full acquittal to a jury. Adam is a born jurist. He recently served with the Nevada Attorney General, where he gained valuable insight into how prosecutors build cases. He now uses this “insider knowledge” to craft the most effective defense available...

In 1999, Leah graduated summa cum laude from UNLV with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies and Political Science. In law school, she was Editor-in-Chief of the Nevada Law Journal and judicial extern to United States District Court Judge Phillip Pro. She graduated summa cum laude from UNLV's law school in 2002. At graduation, she was recognized as the William S. Boyd Outstanding Graduate. Following her graduation from law school, she immediately began employment at Lionel Sawyer & Collins, at the time the largest law firm in the state, which specializes in a variety of business matters. While at...

Mr. Matuska was born and raised in the Bay Area, CA, and has resided in Nevada for over 20 years. His allegiance to both states gives him a competitive edge to his legal practice whether representing businesses or real estate matters. Mr. Matuska understands that not every legal problem requires a complex solution. With more than 20 years experience representing clients in state and federal court in Nevada and California, Mr. Matuska has the experience to meet your goals. The goal of Matuska Law Offices is to provide innovative and effective legal representation that is targeted...

Tim Mott, Partner at Valiente Mott, left his position at Nevada’s preeminent insurance defense trial law firm where he represented corporations, including Fortune 500 companies and the largest insurance companies in the world, to create Valiente Mott. Tim, along with Mike, created Valiente Mott to help people, not insurance companies. He has extensive experience representing victims of car accidents, defective products, and catastrophic injury.

Tim was born and raised in Las Vegas and comes from a long-line of Las Vegas natives: his father was born and raised in Las Vegas in 1950 and his grandfather was born and raised in...

When it comes to providing representation that is hard-hitting and results-driven, Attorney Joey Gilbert is unwaveringly dedicated. Focusing on criminal defense and personal injury cases, he truly cares about the men and women he represents. In fact, he makes himself available 24/7! As demonstrated by his perfect 10.0 Superb Avvo Rating, his well-versed knowledge regarding personal injury and criminal defense law allows him to provide reliable legal services. He also has a BV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell® and has been named among the Top 40 Under 40 and Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers. Before becoming...

Liliana Gallelli is an attorney since 2004 and has specialized in immigration, business and post-conviction law matters. She has represented hundreds of clients before immigration agencies, immigration courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals, federal district courts, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Her work involves applications for business visas (L1s, E2s, H1bs, among others), family petitions, removal proceedings/deportation, asylum, and U visas, among others. She speaks Spanish fluently and conversational Portuguese, Italian and French.

Ms. Gallelli also represents clients in business law including:
Business Formation (LLC’s, S and C Corporations)
Sales Agreements
Partnerships
Applications for Alcohol License
Applications for Contractors...

Las Vegas Defense Group’s newest recruit, Nevada criminal defense attorney Naomi Muhamed earned her J.D. from UNLV’s Boyd School of Law, where she served in the Kids' Court School program and made the Dean's List. She also excelled as a law clerk at Legal Aid of Southern Nevada.

Law Offices of J. Craig Demetras is located in Reno, Nevada, and provides a variety of legal services to individual and business clients. J. Craig Demetras has many years of legal experience. We handle cases at every level of Nevada’s federal and state court system and also practices in Bankruptcy Appellate Panel and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

As a local law firm in Reno, NV, we are able to provide our clients with personal attention and representation that is aggressive, efficient, and effective. Let us put our dedication, hard work, and history of success to work for you.

Mr....

Dane Watson is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Dane graduated Cum Laude in 2015 and passed the Nevada State Bar in 2015 on his first attempt. Subsequently, Dane also passed the California State Bar in February of 2019 to give himself more flexibility practicing law in the Western States. Dane is also licensed to practice in Nevada Federal District Court and in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. During Law School, Dane was a board member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Team and attended and competed in several negotiation competitions across the west coast. Prior...

Todd was born in Petaluma, California on October 31, 1975, and was raised in Sparks, Nevada. He served in the United States Navy from 1995 – 1999, after which he attended the University of Nevada. In 2004, Todd graduated from the University of Nevada with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. Todd then attended the University of Oregon School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree in 2007. While in law school, Todd served in an externship for the Honorable Robert A. McQuaid of the United States District Court in Reno. He then served as a summer law clerk...

William J. Routsis II is licensed to practice law in both Nevada and California and has provided relentless representation to individuals charged with crimes for more than two decades.

Jeremy Krenek was born and raised in Central Texas. Initially, he grew up on approximately 200 acres that was located 13 miles from the nearest gas station. When he was 8 years old, his family moved to north Austin. However, the family ranch was still active usually averaging around 50-head of cattle as well as many other animals including horses, guineas, goats, chickens, and hogs. Jeremy went back often, particularly as his grandpa got older to help maintain the ranch. This is the basis for his strong work ethic. In high school, Jeremy quit playing his high school sports (basketball and...

Mr. Moore joined Lemons, Grundy & Eisenberg in 1989. He was born in Munich, West Germany, August 18, 1964 and attended schools in both Germany and the U.S. before receiving his bachelor’s degree in political science and speech communication from the University of Nevada (UNR) in 1986. While at UNR, Mr. Moore received the Outstanding Male Senior Award. He attended law school at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, and received his Juris Doctor degree in 1989. While at McGeorge School of Law, Mr. Moore was a member of the Moot Court Competition Team, Trial Advocacy Team,...

Attorney Matthew W. Hoffmann is an experienced personal injury attorney who is currently employed by Battle Born Injury Lawyers, a distinguished law firm helping personal injury victims throughout Nevada, including Las Vegas, Reno, Henderson, and the vicinity. Born and raised in rural North Dakota, Matthew went on to attend the University of North Dakota School of Law. A scholarship student, as well as the President of the Moot Court Board, Attorney Hoffmann, earned his Juris Doctorate With Distinction. After graduation, Matthew moved to Las Vegas to begin his legal career. His first position was with an insurance defense firm, one of the...

I have practiced law primarily in the chapter 11 business-bankruptcy arena for over 40 years in Northern Nevada.  My ‘extreme’ motivation to help debtors solve their business issues originated in my teenage years while living in Las Vegas, Nevada, during the mid-60's.  At age fifteen I worked for James E. Rogers, Esq. as his law- firm-runner and general all-around maintenance person.  Being in the presence of Jim Rogers on a nearly daily basis for over 3 years motivated me to go to college and then attend law school.  Jim Rogers was my mentor, constantly encouraging me. I was able to...

I have been a criminal defense lawyer since I graduated from law school in December of 2008. I started my career by writing motions for some of the most experienced and reputable attorneys in Nevada, and quickly learned how to effectively handle cases beginning with investigation and arrest, and ending with post conviction writs in unique circumstances. I was blessed with the opportunity, early in my career, to sit second chair and participate during jury trials where I observed, and learned from skilled and experienced trial attorneys. I passed bar exams in states throughout the U.S., and spent a decade...

Lee Hotchkin is one of the most experienced lawyers in Reno area. With over thirty-eight years of experience, he is among the regions most seasoned lawyers, with an array of experience across a wide spectrum of practice areas. Lee attended both the University of California at Davis and The University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law, where he earned his J D. (Juris Doctor) degree in 1980. He is an active member of both the Nevada and California State Bar Associations. His legal experience includes acting as the former Senior Chief Trial Deputy of Washoe County Public Defender's...

Eric A. Stovall Ltd is a law firm helping clients throughout Nevada. Before entering law in 1987, Eric Stovall was a licensed insurance agent and ran an independent insurance agency in Reno, Nevada. This experience reveals valuable insights and gives Mr. Stovall a special perspective when handling a personal injury case. Mr. Stovall is also a past president of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys. Surrogacy and Adoption matters are a large and important part of his practice.

If you need legal representation in Nevada, Attorney Santos handles cases throughout Nevada in the areas of Workers' Compensation, Personal Injury, Entertainment Law, Immigration, Criminal and Civil Law, Wills, General Consulting.

Atty. Santos is a licensed attorney in good standing in Nevada, Utah, the United States Supreme Court, United States Circuit Court (9th and 10th Circuit Courts of Appeals), and the United States District Courts for Nevada and Utah.

Atty. Santos has handled small to large injury cases ranging from motor vehicle accidents to industrial work accidents. He successfully represented a client injured in the nationally covered Mizpah Hotel...

Las Vegas criminal defense attorney Nicholas D. Pitaro uses his experience as a prosecutor to stay one step ahead of the D.A. when fighting to get our clients’ charges reduced or dismissed. Nicholas also served as a law clerk for the Honorable Douglas Smith, and this “backroom” insight informs his strategies for achieving the most favorable resolutions possible for our clients.

Las Vegas Defense Group’s newest recruit, Nevada criminal defense attorney Evan Wozniak graduated magna cum laude from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He then earned his J.D. from UNLV’s Boyd School of Law, where he served as a student attorney in the Thomas and Mack Mediation Clinic and received the CALI Award in Products Liability.

Las Vegas Defense Group attorney Seth Strickland practices criminal defense in Nevada. He has great success in convincing prosecutors to dismiss or substantially lessen charges without a trial. Seth earned his J.D. from the William S. Boyd School of Law.

Jim Burau’s practice focuses primarily on wealth preservation planning for higher net worth clients. The firm employs a counseling-oriented approach to ascertain the client's estate and business planning goals, and then design a plan which integrates the client's tax- and non-tax related goals with their hopes and concerns for their loved ones. To this end, the firm incorporates a team approach by involving the client's financial advisors in the development and implementation of the plan, where appropriate. The firm's process also includes a high commitment to the funding and follow-through elements to ensure that the client's plan will work...

Mr. Millward is admitted to the Nevada State Bar (2008), the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, and the Idaho State Bar (2009), and the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho. Mr. Millward received his undergraduate degree from Idaho State University in 2005, where he obtained a B.S. in Political Science. He received his Juris Doctorate from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2008, completing courses for a Business Law emphasis. During Mr. Millward's third year of law school, he received the CALI Award in Bankruptcy and clerked for Mr. Joseph P. Delay of...

Aaron discovered his passion for tax law while interning at the Internal Revenue Service, Office of Chief Counsel. He has continued this passion by helping clients resolving their tax disputes and advising individual and business clients on their tax planning. Additionally, he served as a Volunteer Attorney at the University of Washington Federal Tax Clinic providing pro bono work to low-income individuals and business. Aaron has successfully represented clients before the IRS and state tax departments. He represents clients in IRS and state tax audits, resolving tax debts, and the in U.S. Tax Court. In his free time,...

Tyson Cross is an attorney in Reno, NV and helps clients in the areas of estate planning, probate, and tax law. You'll find that Tyson's approach to the practice of law is very personal. As a solo practitioner, he is free to interact directly with his clients and remove the formality that is common in most law firms. Tyson is proud to count many of his clients as friends and maintain relationships long after the legal issue has been resolved.

Robert Kilby was born in Wilmington, Delaware and has been a resident of Nevada since 2000. He obtained his legal education at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, California, receiving his Juris Doctor degree and graduating cum laude in May 2000. He received numerous honors while attending law school, including the American Jurisprudence Bancroft Whitney Award for his excellence in Contracts, as well as being a Senior Editor for the Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Law Review. Robert Kilby is admitted to practice law in the State of Nevada, and all of its courts, both state and...

An attorney licensed in Maryland and DC, Ms. Ontaneda-Bernales has also been admitted to the United States Supreme Court and the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. She has founded the Law Offices of Sylvia Ontaneda-Bernales (Maryland), Ontaneda-Bernales Law (Nevada), and Ontaneda-Bernales LLC (New Mexico). Her Immigration practice includes Relative Petitions, Fiance Visas, Naturalizations, Green Card Applications, Business and Investor Visas, and DACA, among other Immigration-related services. As a mediator, she has worked for the District Court of Maryland ADR Program. She is also a Spanish language consultant, translator, and interpreter listed in the Maryland Court Interpreter...

John B. Shook - Founding Partner of Shook & Stone John B. Shook, one of the founding partners at Shook & Stone, has over 18 years of legal experience. He is an expert in managing complex trial cases, ensuring clients receive excellent representation. His expertise covers product liability, medical malpractice, premises liability, car accidents, and insurance bad faith. This wide-ranging knowledge enables him to effectively advocate for clients facing various legal challenges. John is an active member of the American Association for Justice, the American Bar Association, and the State Bar of Nevada. He also served as the elected Chair of the Client's...

1Source Law LLC was built on 20+ years of legal experience on two continents. Managing Attorney and 1Source Founder, Kevin P. Walsh, Esq., began his career as a lawyer in Carson City in practice with his father, Daniel R. Walsh, Esq., handling complex civil litigation. Kevin also worked in Australia as a contracts specialist on mega-projects where he gained insights and a new perspective. While living in Perth he took notice of emerging global trends in the legal industry that were providing better value to clients. Walsh returned to Nevada where he designed a law practice that combines flexibility,...

The Tanner Law & Strategy Group, LTD. is a law and government relations office that offers exemplary service to businesses, government agencies, and individuals regarding natural resources, energy, and land use matters.

Carolyn “Lina” Tanner is the managing member of the firm. Before opening the firm, Lina spent much of her career in public service, representing Nevada agencies such as the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Protection, Division of Water Resources, and as General Counsel to the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada. In addition, Lina served as Senior Research Analyst for the Nevada Legislative Counsel...

Thomas D. Reid received his Juris Doctorate from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, California. Prior to his law school career, he studied Criminal Justice at the University of Nevada in Reno, Nevada. Tom is currently licensed to practice law in California and Oregon. He is an active member of the American Bar Association, Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity, the University of Nevada Alumni Association, and the Oregon and California State Bars. He served as the Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and is currently a past President of the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the...

RETAIN A FORMER POLICE OFFICER FOR YOUR DEFENSE After you have been charged with a crime, it is vital to retain a criminal defense attorney who has the experience and skill to fight your charges. Defending your case in the strongest possible way is critical to your freedom and your future. Your lawyer should have a thorough understanding of both defense and prosecution and should know exactly what a police officer can and cannot do when making an arrest. At Wolfe Law, Attorney Paul R. Wolfe brings experience unmatched by the vast majority...