Influential Leader Recognition in Best In Business Contest

On December 7, Northern Nevada Business Weekly announced the results of its 2022 Best In Business contest and three McDonald Carano team members are the three top vote getters in the “Influential Leader” category. We proudly congratulate Matt Addison, Ben Kieckhefer and Bob Armstrong on this recognition of their leadership in the business community, their influence in the civic arena, and their inspirational service to others. The annual Best In Business contest determines “which business leaders and companies have had the biggest impact in the Northern Nevada business community.”

The contest included a nomination period and a voting period open to the public and handled by an independent third-party platform. There are a total of 250 finalists in 29 categories. Congratulations to Matt, Ben and Bob for this outstanding recognition! The complete list of winners in all categories is available here, including McDonald Carano LLP receiving 1st place in the Law Firm category and 1st place as the Most Philanthropic Company with more than 30 employees.

Influential Leader  Highlights
Matt Addison 
  • Lifelong resident of Reno
  • Joined McDonald Carano in 1989 as a law clerk, became an Associate in 1991 and a Partner in 1998
  • Managing Partner of our Reno office since 2018
  • Chair of our Construction Law & Litigation Practice with a substantial commercial and complex litigation practice
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review rated since 2007 
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America – Construction Law, Construction Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Arbitration (2008-2023)
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America –  “Lawyer of the Year” in Construction Litigation (2016)               
  • Judge Pro Tem for the Reno Municipal Court
  • Board of Directors of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Honorary Deputies Association
Bob Armstrong
  • Third-generation Nevadan
  • Co-Chair of our Business Entities & Transactions Practice and Real Estate & Land Use Practice
  • Member of the Legislative Committee of the Trust & Estates Section of the Nevada State Bar 
  • Fellow of American College of Trust & Estate Counsel and American College of Tax Counsel
  • Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review rated since 1993
  • Recognized in Chambers High Net Worth Guide, achieved highest ranking of Band 1 in Private Wealth Law (2017-2022)
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America – “Lawyer of the Year” in Trust & Estates Law (2012, 2015); “Lawyer of the Year” in Tax Law (2014); “Lawyer of the Year” in Corporate Law (2013)
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America – Corporate Law, Tax, Trust & Estates, Real Estate, Nonprofit/Charities Law, and Closely Held Companies & Family Business Law (1993-2023)
Ben Kieckhefer
  • Director of Client Relations at McDonald Carano
  • Nevada State Senator for three consecutive four-year terms representing District 16; began his first term in 2011 and his leadership positions included Assistant Minority Floor Leader (2017-2018, 2013-2014) and Assistant Majority Floor Leader (2015-2016)
  • On October 7, 2021, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak appointed Senator Kieckhefer to serve on the Nevada Gaming Commission.
  • On November 16, 2022, Nevada Governor-Elect Joe Lombardo named Ben as a member of his transition team and, on November 28, Governor-Elect Lombardo named Ben as his incoming Chief of Staff.
  • Professional background includes serving the State of Nevada as Communications Director for Governor Jim Gibbons and the Public Information Officer for the department of Health and Human Services
  • Reno-Tahoe Young Professionals Network’s 20 Under 40 award recipient (2011); Builders Association of Northern Nevada’s Outstanding Public Official award recipient (2015); Fellow in Aspen Institute’s Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership (2013)

About McDonald Carano

McDonald Carano has been shaping Nevada’s legal, business, and policy landscape since our founding in 1949. With more than 60 lawyers and government affairs professionals working from offices in Reno, Las Vegas, and Carson City, we are Nevada’s law firm for business. Our local, national and international clients include Fortune 500 corporations, fast-growth and mid-market companies, entrepreneurs and startups, non-profit organizations, government entities, and high-net-worth individuals. Our attorneys deliver cross-discipline, one-stop, business law and government affairs counsel. Please visit mcdonaldcarano.com

Media Contact

Mark Buckovich


702.257.4559

Matt
Addison

Partner Construction Law & LitigationChair Direct775.326.4330 Fax775.788.2020 V-Card PDF (Print)

Robert E.
Armstrong

Partner Business Entities & TransactionsCo-ChairReal Estate & Land UseCo-Chair Direct775.326.4339 Fax775.788.2020 V-Card PDF (Print)

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