Nevada’s Top Government Relations & Lobbying Law Firm
As more individuals and businesses become entrenched in the political process, impacted by rulemaking at the federal, state and local levels, the need for a team that gets the job done is critical. McDonald Carano’s Government Affairs & Advocacy Group is that team. Our attorneys and professional lobbyists comprise the largest and arguably most influential team in Nevada. We are acutely aware of the challenges facing our clients, and we know that each response requires nuance and tact. We are known for developing consensus within conflict, for having deep-rooted connections across industries and geographies, for bridging gaps among divergent groups, and for being the hardest workers in the room. We have a keen instinct for business-friendly policies and a mastery of collaborative efforts.
When faced with a government affairs issue, our clients need experienced government relations attorneys and advisors with the wisdom, know-how and experience to leverage an integrated approach. In Nevada’s rapidly changing political environment, a nimble team that capitalizes on its disparate perspectives to create a successful solution is warranted. We are a politically bipartisan group, with coverage that spans the entire state, and our uniquely diverse makeup yields results for clients. With deep connections on both sides of the aisle and at every layer of government, we open doors quickly. And when our team advocates for an issue, it is heard with respect—we have a hard-earned reputation for integrity, of which we are proud. We combine the skills developed as government relations attorneys and traditional lobbyists with the wisdom gleaned from extensive governmental experience in the private and public sectors. We are advocates who can develop a strategy that addresses all aspects of the matter—the legal issues, legislative and regulatory hurdles, media scrutiny, and any long-term political or business implications. But a strategy is only as successful as its execution. Our team is known for its extensive network of relationships in every corner of the state. No matter where our clients need us, we are there, leveraging our knowledge and contacts to craft impactful solutions for clients doing business in Nevada.
Collectively, our Government Affairs & Advocacy Group delivers decades of proven representation in advocacy, negotiation, lobbying, diplomacy and relationship management. Team members have broad-ranging professional experience that we put to work for our clients. That experience includes service as:
a chief of staff to a governor;
as general counsel to a governor (two members of the team);
members of the U.S. Attorney’s office and the federal judiciary;
an executive-level, in-house lobbyist for one of Nevada’s largest utilities;
an in-house lobbyist for a global technology company; and
an investigative journalist.
Our government relations attorneys and lobbyists assist businesses, individuals, trade associations and other organizations with defining their objectives and designing a comprehensive strategy and action plan that offers the greatest potential for success. Whether it’s drafting a nuanced amendment at a moment’s notice or strategizing to build a coalition for a critical hearing, our team embodies a nimble and can-do attitude. We are dedicated to supporting client priorities before, during and after the legislative session. We represent client policy interests at interim committee hearings, and we facilitate direct client relationships with legislators. We also work with clients and agency staff on the development of regulatory language, while keeping a close eye on issues that may affect our clients.
At the local government level, our team represents clients on a wide range of issues, including land use planning, development entitlements, master plan and zoning modifications, licensing and permitting, special assessments, tax issues, and contracting.
We have had the pleasure of offering service and solutions to marquee clients across almost every industry and sector important to the business and growth of Nevada and wherever challenges may find them.
Josh Hicks, Chair of McDonald Carano’s Government Affairs & Advocacy Group, was interviewed on Nevada Newsmakers about critical and controversial issues of the day. Nevada Newsmakers is the premier state-wide…
McDonald Carano proudly announces earning recertification in Meritas, the leading global alliance of independent full-service business law firms. McDonald Carano joined Meritas in 1990 as a founding member and we…
McDonald Carano proudly announces that seven lawyers in our Reno and Las Vegas offices received “Lawyer of the Year” awards in the 2022 edition of Best Lawyers in America. Over…
McDonald Carano proudly announces that 11 women lawyers from nine Practice Groups in our Reno and Las Vegas offices have been recognized in the 2022 edition of Best Lawyers in…
McDonald Carano proudly announces that 37 of our lawyers have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, the leading peer-review…
McDonald Carano proudly announces that Mackenzie Warren, attorney and Vice President of the firm’s Government Affairs & Advocacy Group, received the highly regarded “Ones to Watch” recognition in Government Relations…
Casting a ballot is one of the greatest responsibilities we have as Americans and employers have a unique opportunity to encourage employee participation in the election process. Some employees may…
Nevada Newsmakers is Nevada’s premier state-wide non-partisan news and political broadcast that features discussions with and about the people and events that impact Nevada. Mackenzie Warren, a practicing attorney and…
On August 1, the federal eviction moratorium expired. Nevada lifted its moratorium in May. On August 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new moratorium for areas…
Women’s History Month is celebrated in March, but all year long McDonald Carano honors the women who lead our practices, provide excellent service to our clients, and assure the professional…
The 81st Session of the Nevada Legislature commenced February 1, 2021 and ran the full 120 days as allowed by the Nevada Constitution, adjourning sine die on June 1, 2021. We are…
McDonald Carano proudly announces that Mackenzie Warren, attorney and Vice President of the firm’s Government Affairs & Advocacy Group, received highly regarded recognition in the 2021 inaugural Best Lawyers: Ones…
The Nevada Legislature adjourned its 81st session late in the evening on May 31, 2021. Dozens of employment related bills are of great interest to Nevada’s business community. Lindsay Knox,…
McDonald Carano proudly announces that Mackenzie Warren, a Vice President and attorney in our Government Affairs & Advocacy Group, was selected as one of Vegas Inc’s “Top Lawyers” in Public…
February 1, 2021, Retail Association of Nevada (RAN) Newsletter During the two special sessions held over last summer, the lack of access to the legislative building and lawmakers was devastating…
December 30, 2020, Josh Hicks, partner with McDonald Carano, was featured on Nevada Newsmakers discussing the lawsuits challenging the 2020 presidential election results and the laws surrounding legal challenges to elections….
December 3, 2020 Mackenzie Warren was featured on Nevada Newsmakers discussing Clark County election results, Vegas’ path to economic recovery and the effect of Tony Hsieh on the Vegas community. See Full Video Here…
June 1, 2020, RAN Newsletter, www.rannv.org, Pages 5 & 8 THE MGM FIRE. 9/11. HURRICANE KATRINA. ONE OCTOBER. COVID-19. The novel coronavirus is hardly the first disaster that plaintiffs’ lawyers have…
Phase 2 Special Update May 26, 2020 After dealing with technical difficulties, Governor Steve Sisolak’s office released further information Tuesday night on a Phase 2 reopening plan for Nevada. Highlights…
April 1, 2020, Retail Association of Nevada (RAN) Since Nevada became a state in 1864, the Nevada constitution has mandated the election of judges. All judges serve six-year terms. While…
McDonald Carano COVID-19 Resources: McDonald Carano will provide information and materials designed to keep employers up to date and informed about the evolving landscape concerning COVID-19 and related matters. –…
February 1, 2020, Retail Association of Nevada– Many studies are mandated by the Nevada Legislature each session. Very few are packed with as bold of policies as the ones outlined…
December 25, 2019, Northern Nevada Business View, by Rob Sabo Two new laws coming into play in the new year could spell big changes for Northern Nevada businesses and employers. The Nevada…
December 19, 2019, Law360, by Vin Gurrieri Nevada Limits Pre-Hire Drug Screens California made headlines with laws like A.B. 5 and other statutes that addressed issues such as employment arbitration agreements and…
November 1, 2019, McDonald Carano, Nevada’s law firm for businesses and high-net-worth individuals, is pleased to announce the firm has been named one of the country’s “Best Law Firms” in…
January 8, 2019, Las Vegas, NV – McDonald Carano, Nevada’s law firm for businesses and high-net-worth individuals, is pleased to announce that Lucas M. Foletta and Lisa Wiltshire Alstead have…
November 7, 2018, Nevada NewsMakers Susan Fisher is interviewed by Sam Shad the day before the elections. They discuss a number of items, such as blockchain, no growth pushback, traffic on…
November 1, 2018, Las Vegas, NV – McDonald Carano, Nevada’s law firm for businesses and high-net-worth individuals, is pleased to announce the firm has been named one of the country’s…
Friday, July 6, 2018, nevadanewsmakers.com Sam Shad interviewed Susan Fisher on a number of subjects, touching on Nevada water issues and Coyote Springs Development; Question 3 Nevada, The Energy Choice Initiative; and the…
Nevada Newsmakers, March 1, 2018 Sam Shad interviews Susan Fisher regarding Question 3 – The Energy Choice Initiative. If this passes, electricity monopolies would be abolished, and a competitive retail market would…
Today, when companies involve themselves in politics, there are a lot of regulations that they must comply with, whether at the federal or state level. While regulations may vary by…
An exhibit at the State Capitol is getting a $700,000 makeover. The Nevada 150 Foundation presented Gov. Brian Sandoval on Thursday with $700,000 that will go toward new exhibits and…
Nevada lawmakers come and go, but one thing remains the same year after year in Carson City — the hordes of mostly well-dressed, well-spoken lobbyists who do their best to…
Homebuilders in Southern Nevada could face ripples, and potentially cause their own, during the Nevada 2017 legislative session in Carson City, set to begin Feb. 6. During a gathering at…
VEGAS INC. Nevada’s homebuilding industry, long plagued by sometimes-spurious litigation under construction-defect laws, commonly known as “Chapter 40,” found relief Feb. 24, 2015, in the form of Assembly Bill 125….
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