For release May 20, 2009

Contact:  Diane Lancaster Gibes, Kummer Kaempfer, (702) 792-7000  or dgibes@kkbrf.com  
Becky Maizel, Kummer Kaempfer, (702) 792-7000  or rmaizel@kkbrf.com

Kummer Kaempfer Repositions for Continued Growth and Announces New Organizational and Leadership Structure

Firm Continues to Offer Clients a Full Complement of Practice Areas

LAS VEGAS – The statewide law firm of Kummer Kaempfer Bonner Renshaw & Ferrario (Kummer Kaempfer) is realigning its practice areas and introducing a new organizational structure that will support the firm’s continuing market dominance in government and legislative affairs, energy and utilities and the litigation and transactional practice areas.

These changes coincide with several of the firm’s partners, of counsel attorneys, associate attorneys and staff members departing on June 1 to join the international law firm of Greenberg Traurig.  This repositioning follows many months of careful thought and deliberations about a possible merger between the two law firms.  

“The firm will continue its longstanding tradition of serving our clients with the highest levels of excellence,” said Bob Gronauer, who will remain managing partner and a senior member of the land use and governmental affairs team of Kummer Kaempfer.  “During the transition, our clients we serve can rest assured that our collective commitment to seamless service and client delivery stands above all else.”

“This is a difficult, but cordial decision that reflects the desires of certain practice groups in our firm to practice in an international firm,” said Michael Bonner, who will be joining Greenberg Traurig and currently serves as Kummer Kaempfer’s Chairman of the Executive Committee. “We will continue to work together with our Kummer Kaempfer colleagues as co-counsel on many matters now and in the future. More importantly, we will remain good friends.”

Founding partner Chris Kaempfer, who will remain with Kummer Kaempfer, said, “The foundation of Kummer Kaempfer’s success is its fundamental philosophy that a firm is nothing more than the talent, integrity and commitment of its attorneys and staff.  While some members of the firm will leave and some will remain, the dedication of the attorneys and staff that our clients and the community have come to know will continue.”

 Founding partner Thomas Kummer, who will join Greenberg Traurig, said, “We have discussed, analyzed and contemplated this business decision for many months.  We are a diverse firm with broad ranging expertise, and we first and foremost considered the well-being of our clients.” 

“Change is happening all around us – throughout Nevada, our nation and around the globe,” said Gronauer.  “While we believe this is the right time to carve out a new path, it is also with a heavy heart that we have had to implement workforce reductions of attorneys and staff today.  This was an extremely difficult decision and one that we hoped to avoid.  However, in light of the new structure, it was a necessary step given the competitiveness of the new marketplace.  These are our friends and colleagues with whom we’ve worked side-by-side for years, and we will miss them.”

Over the next 30 days, partners Tom Kummer, Mike Bonner, Mark Ferrario, John Brewer, John Jeppsen, Gregg Vermeys and Brandon Roos, along with several associates and support staff will transition their practices to Greenberg Traurig.

Bob Gronauer along with partners Chris Kaempfer, Robert Crowell, Mark Fiorentino, Tom Amick, Kathleen Drakulich, John Griffin, Jennifer Lazovich, John Renshaw, Russell Rowe, Jim Smyth, Steve Tackes, Jason Woodbury, several associates and support staff will remain at Kummer Kaempfer.
  
 Kaempfer added that “knowing and doing what’s best for our clients has always been what’s set us apart.  The most difficult part of the decision is knowing that some of the people whom we’ve all come to respect, admire and love, will now be a phone call or e-mail away rather than in the office next door.”

Gronauer added, “we can see the tremendous opportunities that are ahead of us not only for our firm, but most importantly, for our clients and our communities.”
 
Kummer Kaempfer is a prominent force in Nevada, serving local, regional, national and international clients in the real estate development, hospitality, gaming, manufacturing, service, high-technology, and energy and utilities industries.  Founded in 1994, Kummer Kaempfer is one of Nevada’s law firms, specializing in complex corporate transactions, commercial litigation, zoning and land use and regulatory law. 

With offices in Las Vegas, Reno and Carson City, Kummer Kaempfer’s lawyers provide counsel to top corporations, business owners, corporate executives and individuals. Kummer Kaempfer is the Las Vegas member of Meritas, an affiliation of outstanding business law firms that serve international customers worldwide. The firm’s attorneys are routinely rated among the best corporate, mergers and acquisitions, real estate and litigation lawyers in Nevada, including high-ranking recognition by the prestigious Chambers USA – America’s Leading Business Lawyers since its inception in 2003; The Best Lawyers in America®; and Mountain States Super Lawyers.  For more information about Kummer Kaempfer, call (702) 792-7000 or visit www.kkbrf.com.  Kummer Kaempfer Bonner Renshaw & Ferrario, Ltd., is a Nevada professional corporation.

Kummer Kaempfer Names Robert Gronauer Managing Partner; John Griffin, Brandon Roos, Steve Tackes and Jason Woodbury Elected to the Firm’s Board of Directors

 LAS VEGAS – The statewide law firm of Kummer Kaempfer Bonner Renshaw & Ferrario (Kummer Kaempfer) has elected four attorneys to become members of the firm’s Board of Directors, commonly referred to in the profession as “partners” and also named a new managing partner effective April 1, 2009. 

 Michael J. Bonner, the firm’s managing partner, announced that John W. Griffin, Brandon E. Roos, Steve E. Tackes and Jason D. Woodbury have been elected as new directors.  He also announced that longtime partner Robert J. Gronauer will assume the position of managing partner and president of the law firm.  Gronauer replaces Bonner, who will become chairman of the firm’s executive committee.  The firm currently has 18 other directors.

 “Bob is an excellent choice to succeed me and one that I enthusiastically support,” said Bonner. “He has tremendous talents as one of the best lawyers in Nevada and is a clear leader with a strong legal background in land use and government relations. We also look forward to the contributions of John, Brandon, Steve and Jason as they assume their new roles in guiding our firm’s future.”

 Gronauer joined Kummer Kaempfer in 1996. He is an experienced land use and government affairs attorney representing local and national developers, individuals, hotels and casinos before the various city and county boards and commissions in Southern Nevada. He has negotiated development agreements for several master-planned communities and large scale developments in the City of Las Vegas, Clark County, City of North Las Vegas and Nye County.  Gronauer is a regular speaker before homeowner associations and trade and industrial groups and has been a guest speaker at the Boyd School of Law School. The Best Lawyers in America® selected Gronauer as best in his field for land use and zoning law for 2009, and he was recognized as a leading lawyer in real estate, zoning and land use law by Chambers USA - 2008 America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.   He is a 2009 recipient of In Business Las Vegas’ prestigious 40 Under 40 award.  Gronauer is based in the Las Vegas office.

 Griffin has been an associate with the firm since June 2006. A native Nevadan, he practices in the areas of governmental relations and lobbying, administrative and regulatory matters, strategic planning, gaming, and land use planning.  He has appeared before every level of state and local government on behalf of numerous clients in the transportation, development and gaming industries.  Griffin is past president of the 110-member Carson City Rotary Club and president of Carson City Little League, Capitol Chapter of the University of Nevada Alumni Association, and the Carson Taxi Squad Booster Club. Griffin completed a summer internship in the Washington D.C. Offices of U.S. Senators Harry Reid and Richard Bryan and served as an extern for the Hon. Howard D. McKibben, United State’s District Court Judge for the District of Nevada.  The Best Lawyers in America® named Griffin as best in his field for government relations law.  Griffin is located in the Reno office.

Roos has been an associate in the Litigation Department focusing his practice on civil, commercial and general business litigation. He joined the firm in 2005. Roos is an experienced litigator and has received favorable judgments and decisions in both federal district court and state court. He has successfully resolved numerous business disputes and obtained judgments for clients in complex civil litigation involving fraud, breach of contract and negligence. Roos was co-lead counsel on behalf of numerous plaintiffs defrauded in the collapse of Southwest Exchange, Inc., a case in which he helped recover in excess of $91 million on behalf of the victims.  Roos also has experience in intellectual property law, primarily on obtaining trademark and service mark protection for his clients.  Roos has been named a Rising Star by Mountain States Super Lawyers.  He is a member of the Board of Directors for Boys Hope Girls Hope, a charitable organization in Southern Nevada.  Roos is based in Las Vegas.

Tackes has been Of Counsel to the firm and practices in the areas of business law, technology, aviation, and administrative agency law. He joined the firm in June 2006 when Crowell, Susich, Tackes & Griffin, Ltd. combined forces with Kummer Kaempfer.  A specialist in complex utility litigation, he routinely represents key developers at state Public Utility Commission hearings. Tackes is recognized as one of Nevada’s leading attorneys in telecommunication law and holds an “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Having first served as a criminal prosecutor, Tackes has significant high-level trial experience. He is a past chairman of the Carson City Airport Authority and currently serves as counsel to the Nevada Airport Managers Association. Tackes is a founding director of the Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare Foundation Board.  He is a member of the Navy League of the United States Carson City Chapter.  The Best Lawyers in America® named him as best in his field for Energy Law for 2009. Tackes resides in Carson City.

Woodbury has been an associate in the Litigation Department since 2006.  He represents numerous clients as both plaintiffs and defendants in civil litigation and in the areas of election law, property law, administrative law, and general business law. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a deputy district attorney in the Carson City District Attorney’s office for four years where he worked as a prosecutor and later as legal advisor in the civil division. Woodbury handled all levels and types of criminal offenses, and in the civil division, he represented Carson City in civil litigation and provided advice for various Carson City departments, including the primary legal advisor to the Carson City Planning Commission. Woodbury served as law clerk to the Hon. Michael R. Griffin, District Judge in the First Judicial District Court of the State of Nevada. Woodbury is president of the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Western Nevada.  Woodbury is based in the Reno office.

Kummer Kaempfer is a prominent force in Nevada, serving local, regional, national and international clients in the real estate development, hospitality, gaming, manufacturing, service, high-technology, and energy and utilities industries.  Founded in 1994, Kummer Kaempfer is one of Nevada’s largest law firms, specializing in complex corporate transactions, federal and state securities matters, commercial litigation, zoning and land use and regulatory law. 

 With offices in Las Vegas, Reno and Carson City, Kummer Kaempfer’s lawyers provide counsel to top corporations, business owners, corporate executives and individuals. Kummer Kaempfer is the Las Vegas member of Meritas, an affiliation of outstanding business law firms that serve international customers worldwide.  The firm’s attorneys are routinely rated among the best corporate, mergers and acquisitions, real estate and litigation lawyers in Nevada, including high-ranking recognition by the prestigious Chambers USA – America’s Leading Business Lawyers since its inception in 2003; The Best Lawyers in America®; and Mountain States Super Lawyers.  For more information about Kummer Kaempfer, call (702) 792-7000 or visit www.kkbrf.com.  Kummer Kaempfer Bonner Renshaw & Ferrario, Ltd., is a Nevada professional corporation.

Erin Russell Hayes received the Las Vegas Business Press’ Rising Stars of Business Award, a prestigious recognition presented annually to 10 individuals for their outstanding business accomplishments.  City of Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman presented the awards at a March 20 luncheon at the Hard Rock Café.  Russell Hayes, a government affairs advocate, has been with Kummer Kaempfer since December 2005.     

To see the coverage in the Las Vegas Business Press, visit http://www.lvbusinesspress.com or click here for the story   erin-russell-hayes-2009-rising-star

The finalists were chosen from nearly 120 companies that were nominated based on employee satisfaction surveys and meeting the award program requirements.  Winners will be announced at an awards reception on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa.

Finalist and winning companies fall into three categories based on their number of employees including small, medium and large categories.  One winning company will be chosen from each category based on scores from confidential employee surveys that are objectively analyzed by Quantum Workplace, the exclusive research partner for Best Places to Work Awards nationwide. Surveys focus on ten criteria including: team effectiveness, trust with coworkers, individual contributions, manager effectiveness, feeling valued and people practices, among others. Awards for 2nd and 3rd place in each category will also be presented. EDAWN, the Reno Gazette-Journal and the Northern Nevada Human Resources Association co-sponsor the program and awards.

About EDAWN: EDAWN is a private, non-profit corporation founded by community leaders in 1982.  EDAWN works to recruit and expand quality companies that have a positive impact on the quality of life in Greater Reno-Tahoe.  Reno was named the No. 1 Place for Doing Business in America 2005 by Inc. magazine.  For more information, visit www.edawn.org.

About NNHRA: The Northern Nevada Human Resources Association is the area’s largest association devoted to human resource management. The association is a non-profit affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
About Reno Gazette-Journal:  The RGJ is Northern Nevada’s leading source for local news and information.  The RGJ’s extensive family of print and digital media provides engaging, relevant and timely news and information for the communities they serve. 

A total of 57 employers are finalists.  To view the press release and the other finalists, please visit http://www.edawn.org./about-edawn/best-places-to-work/2008-winners.

Kummer Kaempfer attorney Kathleen Drakulich will be a member of an esteemed panel at The Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America on March 12 for a conference session titled, Streamlining Environmental Permitting Processes to Insure Efficiency and Eliminate Delays.

 

The March 10-12 conference at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas is expected to draw 5,000 renewable energy power professionals and 300 exhibitors. 

 

Ms. Drakulich, a longtime Nevada energy and utility lawyer, will join a distinguished panel for the 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. conference session chaired by Ryan Pletka of Black & Veatch and co-chaired by Jack Werner of the DC Energy Office, District Department of the Environment (DDOE).  Other panelists include David Batts, EMPS Inc.; Joni Eastley, NYE County Board of Commissioners; and Carl Zichella, Sierra Club. 

 

Program Description:  The Western U.S. contains some of the world’s greatest solar, geothermal, wind and other renewable resources. However, the region is also faced with many unique and challenging issues related to transmission, land use, critical habitat, water use, and other environmental concerns. This panel will discuss these topics and how the appropriate balance can be struck between environmental concerns and energy development.

 

The conference (http://rewna09.events.pennnet.com/), now in its sixth year, offers a worldwide audience the opportunity to hear papers, panel discussions and presentations during technical sessions related to technology, markets, business strategies and policy covering the wind, solar, biomass, hydro, geothermal, ocean/tidal/wave, bio-power, bio-fuels hydrogen and energy sectors. 

 

To see more about Kummer Kaempfer’s utilities and energy practice area or Ms. Drakulich’s background and experience, please visit www.kkbrf.com

Topic: Commercial Real Estate in Troubled Times

William Wray will join an esteemed panel of Nevada attorneys discussing “Commercial Real Estate in Troubled Times” at the Certified Commercial Investment Members (CCIM) monthly luncheon on Wednesday, February 25.  Held at the Rio Hotel and Casino from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the panelists will address the trends, issues and overall impact the economy is having on the Southern Nevada commercial real estate market.

They will answer questions and offer strategies related to important business and legal topics including bankruptcy, foreclosures, litigation, purchase agreement exit strategies, mechanics liens, fraudulent transfers, leases and executory agreements, among others.

Mr. Wray works in the Las Vegas office and practices in the areas of construction and commercial litigation.  He has been a practicing attorney for 17 years. He represents large national and international firms, as well as local Las Vegas area clients. He advises clients on all aspects of land use, development and construction. He has represented both contractors and owners in connection with some of Las Vegas’ largest construction projects.  He also represents a broad range of other commercial clients in litigation and transactional matters.

To register for the luncheon, please visit http://chapters.ccim.com/southernnevada. 

For more information on Mr. Wray, please visit http://www.kkbrf.com/attorneys/bios/?id=86.

Kummer Kaempfer attorneys Mark Ferrario and Brandon Roos were two of the attorneys who provided legal counsel on the collapse of a company called Southwest Exchange, which was a licensed intermediary that conducted 1031 tax-deferred property exchanges.  Mr. Ferrario and Mr. Roos were instrumental in settling the legal dispute and recovered $91.7 million for more than 130 clients.

To view this story, visit southwest-exchange-settlement

In an Nevada Appeal story titled “Carson, other Sierra Nevada airports could benefit from federal stimulus package,”   Steve Tackes discusses the stimulus bill as it relates to the general aviation industry.  To view the story, click here  nevada-appeal-carson-city-airport1

The NNDA presents “It’s Your Airport – Love it or Hate it?,” a behind-the-scenes look into the aviation industry, at its monthly membership breakfast meeting on Jan. 28 at 7 a.m. at the Gold Dust West in Carson City.  With moderator Mike Licciardello, economic development consultant, Licciardello Consulting, and presenter Jim Braswell, principal, JB Consulting, the members of the panel include Kay Bennett, airport manager, Silver Springs Airport; Freddi Comperchio, partner, Aries Consulting; Skip Polack, airport manager, Stead Airport and Steve Tackes, Kummer Kaempfer attorney who also represents the Carson City Airport.  

For more information on NNDA or the breakfast meeting, please visit www.nnda.org.  

The breakfast meeting received coverage in the Nevada Appeal.  To view the story, click here nevada-appeal-carson-city-airport 

 

Attorney Tami D. Cowden was sworn in by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Lloyd D. George during the Bar’s January 22 luncheon to serve as a member-at-large on the Clark County Bar Association’s Board of Directors.  She will serve a one-year term.  Click here for more details and the Clark County Bar Association press release: ccba_2009-board-pr