Leigh Goddard
Partner
Areas of Practice
Bar Admissions
- Nevada
Education
- J.D., University of South Carolina, School of Law, 1997
- B.S., Business Finance, College of Charleston, 1991
Professional Background
Leigh’s practice focuses on trust, estate, and fiduciary litigation; commercial and complex litigation; and employment litigation. She handles all aspects of litigation, from investigation through filing of initial pleadings, discovery, and motion practice, to trial. Leigh represents clients in state and federal court. She is Chair of McDonald Carano’s Trust, Estate and Fiduciary Litigation Practice.
Trust, Estate & Fiduciary Litigation
Leigh represents beneficiaries, guardians, personal representatives, trustees, conservators, and executors. Her comprehensive experience in fiduciary, trust and estate litigation matters includes claims for breach of fiduciary duty, will and trust contests, fiduciary misconduct, fraud, financial elder abuse, adult guardianships, surcharge, and actions for recoupment of funds.
Commercial & Complex Litigation
Leigh represents local, national, and international businesses in claims involving contract disputes, trade secret violations, tortious interference, breach of fiduciary duty, business entity dissolutions, enforcement and defense of non-competition covenants, fraud, misrepresentation, conversion, defamation, unfair trade practices, and appointment of receivers.
Employment
Leigh represents employers and management. This includes defending against discrimination claims and wrongful termination claims in state and federal courts, defending against charges before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Nevada Equal Rights Commission, counseling employers in personnel issues, investigation of illegal harassment and discrimination complaints, and evaluating demotion and termination decisions. Her representation has also included pursuing and defending claims in state and federal court related to enforcement of employment covenants not to compete.
Awards and Recognition
- Martindale-Hubbell – AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating (since 2012)
- Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America (since 2021)
- The Best Lawyers in America – Trusts and Estates Litigation (2020-2024)
- The Best Lawyers in America – Commercial Litigation (2014-2024)
- The Best Lawyers in America – Labor and Employment Litigation (2018-2024)
- The Best Lawyers in America – “Lawyer of the Year” in Labor and Employment Litigation (2022)
- Nevada Business Magazine – “Legal Elite/Top Rank Attorneys” (2012, 2017, 2018, 2022)
- Mountain States Super Lawyers Magazine – “Top 50 Women Lawyers” (2012)
- Mountain States Super Lawyers Magazine – Super Lawyer (2009-2021, 2023)
- Women of Achievement Award, Nevada Women’s Fund
- Order of the Coif, University of South Carolina
Professional Affiliations and Community Engagement
- Master Emeritus, Inns of Court, Bruce R. Thompson Chapter
- Member, Federal Bar Association (Past President, Nevada chapter, 2007–2008)
- Member, American Bar Association, Section of Litigation
- Member, Nevada Bar Association
- Member, Washoe County Bar Association
- Member, Northern Nevada Women Lawyers Association
- Board of Trustees (2011-2019), Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (past chair, 2018–2019; chair, 2016–2017; vice chair, 2014–2015; secretary, 2012–2013; treasurer, 2011–2012)
Presentations
- “Discovery Techniques to Manage the Unmanageable,” Cambridge Private Client Forum, May 2022
- “Non-Competition Covenants in Nevada,” March 30, 2017
- “Nevada Wage & Hour Hot Topics,” Oct. 12, 2016
- “HIPAA for Employers,” Feb. 27, 2004
- “Overtime Requirements in Nevada,” March 18, 2003
- “Employment-Related Records in Nevada,” Jan. 17, 2003
- “Payroll Management in Nevada,” Sept. 17, 2002
Attorney News
23 Reno Office Lawyers Recognized in Best Lawyers® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®
McDonald Carano proudly announces that 21 of our Reno office lawyers have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and two…
18 Attorneys Recognized as “Super Lawyers” and “Rising Stars” 2023
McDonald Carano is proud to announce that 11 of our attorneys are recognized as “Super Lawyers” and seven are recognized as “Rising Stars” in the 2023 edition of Mountain States…
11 Attorneys Recognized as “Super Lawyers” 2023
McDonald Carano is proud to announce that 11 of our attorneys are recognized as “Super Lawyers” in the 2023 edition of Mountain States Super Lawyers magazine. The list of top…
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