Professional Background

Rick Trachok is Senior Counsel in the Gaming & Administrative Law Practice at McDonald Carano.  Mr. Trachok has an extensive background in gaming law, particularly from the international perspective. Clients turn to Mr. Trachok for his knowledge of the complexities of the licensing issues facing European companies, as well as his understanding of the unique aspects of European ownership structures, finances, and culture. Mr. Trachok’s expertise in highly regulated industries includes clients involved in utility regulation. Mr. Trachok was a deputy district attorney with the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office before entering private practice.

Mr. Trachok served 15 years as an adjunct professor at UNR, teaching construction law in the graduate construction management program (1988-2003). He was also an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law from 2006 to 2013, teaching the Laws of International Trade.  Mr. Trachok is currently a lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, where he teaches or has taught the following courses: Contracts, Art 9 Secured Transactions, Gaming Law, International Trade Law, and International Business Transactions.

Representative Engagements

• Chairman of Compliance and a Member of the Supervisory Board of Directors of Germany-based Gauselmann AG, obtaining gaming licenses in approximately 200 jurisdictions.
• Chairman of the Global Compliance and Governance Committee for London-based International Game Technology PLC (IGT), obtaining gaming licenses in Nevada and other jurisdictions and representing IGT in all gaming matters before the Nevada Gaming Commission.
• Lead outside regulatory counsel for NV Energy from 2006 through 2013 handling all rate cases and resource planning cases before the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada. Assisted in obtaining regulatory approvals for the MidAmerican/Berkshire acquisition of NV Energy.

Presentations and Publications

• Feature Article Interview, “Faculty Fuel: How Our Deep Roster of Lecturers Brings Career Success and Expertise to the Classroom,” UC Berkeley School of Law article, March 23, 2023
• Presenter, “Changes in Lawyer Admissions,” Western States Bar Conference, March 29–April 1, 2023
• Author, “Nevada Construction Law and Mechanic’s Liens,” 1995
• Author, “Nevada Civil Practice Manual, Chapter on Nevada Bond and Lien Law,” State Bar of Nevada
• Co-Author, “Fifty State Public Construction Contracting, Chapter on Nevada Law,” John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1995
• Author, “Fifty State Construction Lien and Bond Law, Chapter on Nevada Law,” Aspen Publishers, 1995

Awards and Recognition

• Martindale-Hubbell – AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating (since 1995)
• The Best Lawyers in America – “Lawyer of the Year” in Gaming Law (2022)
• The Best Lawyers in America – “Lawyer of the Year” in Administrative and Regulatory Law (2021)
• The Best Lawyers in America – Administrative and Regulatory Law (2020-2023), Energy Law (2020-2023), Gaming Law (2017-2023)
• Nevada Business Magazine – “Legal Elite/Top Rank Attorneys” (2008)

Professional Associations and Community Engagement

• Bar Associations: State Bar of Nevada, Washoe County Bar Association, New York Bar Association, District of Columbia Bar Association, American Bar Association, International Bar Association, American Arbitration Association
• Nevada Fellow, American Bar Foundation
• Lecturer, University of California, Berkeley School of Law. Courses: Gaming Law, International Trade Law, Contracts, and Secured Transactions (2017 – current)
• Sage Ridge School, Member of Emeritus Board of Trustees
• Nevada State Bar Board of Governors, Ex Officio Member (2020-2021 term)
• Nevada Board of Bar Examiners, former Chair and current Board Member since 1991
• Nevada Board of Regents, extensive years of service includes two terms as Chair of the Board, two terms as Vice-Chair of the Board, Chair of the Workforce, Research and Economic Development Committee, Chair of the Investment Committee and the Security Committee, Vice-Chair of the Academic, Research and Student Affairs Committee, and a Member of the Health Sciences System Committee, Cultural Diversity Committee, and the ad hoc UNLV President Search Committee (2011-2017)
• Adjunct professor, University of San Francisco School of Law. Courses: International Trade Laws and Dispute Resolution (2006-2013)
• Governor Brian Sandoval’s Transition Team, Member, 2011
• Reno Chamber Orchestra, Board of Directors, 1999-2006
• The Nature Conservancy of Nevada, Board of Directors, 2003-2009
• Adjunct professor, UNR. Courses: Construction Law in the graduate construction management program (1988-2003)
• Nevada Opera, Board of Directors, 1999-2001
• Tahoe Rim Trail, Honorary Director (1998-Present), Board of Directors (1993-1998)
• Nevada Chapter of the Associated General Contractors, Board of Directors, 1988-1990
• Reno Philharmonic, Board of Directors, 1984-1989

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