With deep sadness, McDonald Carano announces the passing of James W. Bradshaw on May 29.

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Leigh Goddard

Contact

Office: 775.788.2000

Reno Office

[email protected]

Practice Areas

Professional Background

Leigh Goddard is the Managing Partner of McDonald Carano’s Reno office and Co-Chair of the Trust, Estate & Fiduciary Litigation Practice. Leigh also has extensive experience in complex commercial litigation and employment litigation. She represents clients in state and federal court and handles all aspects of litigation, from investigation through filing of initial pleadings, discovery, and motion practice, to trial. Leigh received the Lawyer of the Year award in Trusts & Estates Litigation for the Northern Nevada region in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Education and Certifications

J.D., University of South Carolina, School of Law, 1997
B.S., Business Finance, College of Charleston, 1991

Bar Admissions

Nevada

Representative Experience

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 served as Co-Chair of the Employment & Labor Law Practice prior to currently serving as Chair of the Trust, Estate & Fiduciary Litigation Practice. In 2022, Best Lawyers in America named Leigh “Lawyer of the Year” for the Northern Nevada region in Employment & Labor Litigation. 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 (2026)
The Best Lawyers in America – Trusts and Estates Litigation (2020-2026); Lawyer of the Year award in 2026
The Best Lawyers in America – Commercial Litigation (2014-2026)
The Best Lawyers in America – Labor and Employment Litigation (2018-2026); Lawyer of the Year award in 2022
Mountain States Super Lawyers – “Super Lawyers” (2009-2021, 2023-2026)
Northern Nevada Business Weekly, Best In Business awards – “Influential Leader” (2023)
Nevada Business Magazine – “Top Rank Attorneys” (2012, 2017, 2018, 2022)
Mountain States Super Lawyers – “Top 50 Women Lawyers” (2012)
Women of Achievement Award, Nevada Women’s Fund
Order of the Coif, University of South Carolina

Publications

Quoted, “5 State Marijuana Mandates Throwing Employers for a Loop,” Law360, November 25, 2019
Quoted, “5 Questions To Ask When Workers Get Called For Jury Duty,” Law360, October 17, 2019
Quoted, “Five Valentine’s Day Tips for Employers in the #Me Too Era,” Law 360, February 11, 2019
Podcast, “Are You Making Mistakes With Your Employee Performance Reviews?,” Thomson Reuters, September 4, 2018
Quoted, “Ousted Barnes & Noble CEO Accuses Company of ‘False’ Press Release,” New York Law Journal, August 29, 2018
Quoted, “Employers Scrambling to Revisit Boilerplate Drug Policies,” Law360, May 7, 2018
Interview, “Emoji-Awareness in Law, Inside Counsel,” September 7, 2017
Quoted, “Back to Work: Human Resource & Employment Issues,” Nevada Business Magazine, May 2016

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

Professional Affiliations

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
Member, Clark County Bar Association

Community Involvement

Board of Trustees, Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (2011-2019; positions held include past chair, chair, vice chair, secretary, and treasurer)