Most appellate cases
Nevada attorneys ranked by how many Supreme Court of Nevada cases they handled, with how those cases came out. This measures experience on the record, not quality.
| # | Attorney | Cases | Years | Results (won / mixed / lost) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Aaron D. FordActiveNevada Office of Attorney General | 2,714 | 2019-2026 | 84% won of 1429 decided cases Won 1203Mixed 54Lost 172 |
| 2 | Alexander G. ChenActiveClark County DA's Office | 1,381 | 2016-2026 | 84% won of 777 decided cases Won 652Mixed 37Lost 88 |
| 3 | Jennifer P. NobleActiveWashoe Co. DA's Office | 380 | 2014-2026 | 82% won of 212 decided cases Won 173Mixed 8Lost 31 |
| 4 | Steven Bryan WolfsonExempt ActiveClark County DA's Office | 317 | 2008-2026 | 60% won of 248 decided cases Won 148Mixed 22Lost 78 |
| 5 | Shanon L. ClowersActiveClark County District Attorney's Office | 284 | 2024-2026 | 75% won of 133 decided cases Won 100Mixed 7Lost 26 |
| 6 | Ariel E. SternActive | 181 | 2006-2026 | 71% won of 94 decided cases Won 67Mixed 6Lost 21 |
| 7 | Daniel F. PolsenbergActiveWomble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP | 174 | 2002-2026 | 35% won of 120 decided cases Won 42Mixed 19Lost 59 |
| 8 | John Thomas AfsharActiveClark County DA's Office | 121 | 2019-2026 | 80% won of 106 decided cases Won 85Mixed 8Lost 13 |
| 9 | Adam P. LaxaltActiveCooper & Kirk PLLC | 116 | 2015-2019 | 56% won of 109 decided cases Won 61Mixed 8Lost 40 |
| 10 | Micah S. EcholsActiveClaggett and Sykes Law Firm | 108 | 2009-2026 | 42% won of 66 decided cases Won 28Mixed 9Lost 29 |
| 11 | Abraham G. SmithActiveHolland & Hart LLP | 100 | 2018-2026 | 34% won of 65 decided cases Won 22Mixed 10Lost 33 |
| 12 | Jonathan VanBoskerckActive | 100 | 2013-2025 | 75% won of 93 decided cases Won 70Mixed 9Lost 14 |
| 13 | Robert L. EisenbergExempt ActiveLemons, Grundy & Eisenberg | 99 | 2003-2026 | 41% won of 71 decided cases Won 29Mixed 17Lost 25 |
| 14 | Joseph Y. HongActiveHong & Hong, APLC | 93 | 2020-2026 | 10% won of 41 decided cases Won 4Mixed 4Lost 33 |
| 15 | Karen Lynn MishlerActiveClark County District Attorney | 90 | 2020-2026 | 82% won of 83 decided cases Won 68Mixed 4Lost 11 |
| 16 | David J. J. RogerActive | 89 | 2004-2026 | 57% won of 82 decided cases Won 47Mixed 9Lost 26 |
| 17 | Christopher J. HicksActive | 87 | 2015-2026 | 51% won of 69 decided cases Won 35Mixed 4Lost 30 |
| 18 | Joel D. HenriodActiveHenriod Stern PLLC | 81 | 2005-2026 | 40% won of 53 decided cases Won 21Mixed 6Lost 26 |
| 19 | Taleen R Pandukht EsqActive | 81 | 2007-2026 | 90% won of 73 decided cases Won 66Mixed 0Lost 7 |
| 20 | Kelly H. DoveActiveSnell & Wilmer | 79 | 2012-2026 | 63% won of 43 decided cases Won 27Mixed 5Lost 11 |
| 21 | Rene Louis ValladaresActiveFederal Public Defender's Office | 79 | 2014-2025 | 8% won of 65 decided cases Won 5Mixed 2Lost 58 |
| 22 | Karen L. HanksActiveHanks Law Group | 75 | 2010-2026 | 12% won of 42 decided cases Won 5Mixed 5Lost 32 |
| 23 | John Reese PettyExempt Inactive | 73 | 2000-2024 | 26% won of 50 decided cases Won 13Mixed 2Lost 35 |
| 24 | Scott R. LachmanActiveAkerman LLP | 71 | 2019-2026 | 85% won of 41 decided cases Won 35Mixed 0Lost 6 |
| 25 | Roger P. CroteauActiveRoger P. Croteau & Associates, Ltd | 70 | 2012-2026 | 12% won of 33 decided cases Won 4Mixed 1Lost 28 |
| 26 | Melanie D. MorganActiveAtlas Solomon LLP | 68 | 2016-2024 | 77% won of 35 decided cases Won 27Mixed 1Lost 7 |
| 27 | Marilee CateActiveWashoe County DAs Office | 61 | 2018-2026 | 82% won of 50 decided cases Won 41Mixed 2Lost 7 |
| 28 | Leslie B HartActiveFennemore | 61 | 2014-2025 | 33% won of 3 decided cases Won 1Mixed 0Lost 2 |
| 29 | Jordan T. SmithActiveBrownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP | 61 | 2014-2026 | 44% won of 34 decided cases Won 15Mixed 3Lost 16 |
| 30 | Joseph P. GarinActiveGarin Law Group | 60 | 2017-2026 | 62% won of 29 decided cases Won 18Mixed 1Lost 10 |
| 31 | Natalie Lynn WinslowActiveAtlas Solomon LLP | 58 | 2014-2025 | 67% won of 30 decided cases Won 20Mixed 1Lost 9 |
| 32 | Michael Frederick BohnActiveMichael F. Bohn, Esq., Ltd. | 56 | 2016-2025 | 26% won of 38 decided cases Won 10Mixed 2Lost 26 |
| 33 | Jacqueline A. GilbertExempt Inactive | 54 | 2011-2022 | 16% won of 32 decided cases Won 5Mixed 4Lost 23 |
| 34 | Kevin P. NaughtonActiveWashoe County DA's Office | 53 | 2019-2026 | 75% won of 44 decided cases Won 33Mixed 4Lost 7 |
| 35 | Bradley S. SchragerActiveBravo Schrager LLP | 53 | 2009-2026 | 53% won of 34 decided cases Won 18Mixed 1Lost 15 |
| 36 | David Paul SnyderActiveClaggett & Sykes | 53 | 2021-2026 | 57% won of 35 decided cases Won 20Mixed 3Lost 12 |
| 37 | Margaret A. McLetchieActiveMcLetchie Law | 51 | 2010-2026 | 46% won of 26 decided cases Won 12Mixed 7Lost 7 |
| 38 | Daniel MarksExempt ActiveLaw Office of Daniel Marks, Ltd. | 50 | 2011-2026 | 39% won of 41 decided cases Won 16Mixed 3Lost 22 |
| 39 | Steven S OwensActiveSteven S Owens, LLC | 49 | 2005-2026 | 56% won of 45 decided cases Won 25Mixed 3Lost 17 |
| 40 | Daniel L SchwartzActiveHooks Meng & Clement | 49 | 2005-2026 | 29% won of 17 decided cases Won 5Mixed 0Lost 12 |
| 41 | Todd L. BiceActivePisanelli Bice, LLC | 48 | 2001-2026 | 55% won of 31 decided cases Won 17Mixed 2Lost 12 |
| 42 | Howard S. BrooksInactiveLaw Office of Howard Brooks | 47 | 2007-2022 | 34% won of 44 decided cases Won 15Mixed 3Lost 26 |
| 43 | Mark B. JacksonActiveDouglas County DA | 47 | 2013-2026 | 81% won of 21 decided cases Won 17Mixed 1Lost 3 |
| 44 | Darin F. ImlayActive | 45 | 2001-2026 | 34% won of 41 decided cases Won 14Mixed 3Lost 24 |
| 45 | Philip Jay KohnExempt Inactive | 45 | 2005-2021 | 30% won of 43 decided cases Won 13Mixed 5Lost 25 |
| 46 | Diana Samalaulu ClineActiveCline Legal Solutions LLC | 44 | 2020-2026 | 9% won of 23 decided cases Won 2Mixed 3Lost 18 |
| 47 | Dennis L. KennedyExempt ActiveBailey Kennedy, LLP | 44 | 2000-2026 | 38% won of 29 decided cases Won 11Mixed 6Lost 12 |
| 48 | Michael K. WallDeceased | 44 | 2006-2024 | 41% won of 29 decided cases Won 12Mixed 1Lost 16 |
| 49 | Tyler J. IngramActiveElko County District Attorney | 43 | 2020-2026 | 79% won of 29 decided cases Won 23Mixed 0Lost 6 |
| 50 | Kimball J. JonesActiveBighorn Law | 43 | 2020-2026 | 63% won of 27 decided cases Won 17Mixed 3Lost 7 |
| 51 | Christina V. MillerActiveWright, Finlay & Zak, LLP | 42 | 2020-2025 | 68% won of 22 decided cases Won 15Mixed 1Lost 6 |
| 52 | Brian T. KunziActiveNye County DA's Office | 41 | 2001-2026 | 82% won of 22 decided cases Won 18Mixed 1Lost 3 |
| 53 | Robert C. McBrideActiveMcBride Hall | 41 | 2010-2026 | 52% won of 27 decided cases Won 14Mixed 3Lost 10 |
| 54 | Darren T. BrennerActiveKlinedinst PC | 40 | 2017-2024 | 59% won of 22 decided cases Won 13Mixed 1Lost 8 |
| 55 | Kathryn E. ReynoldsActiveWashoe County PD's Office | 40 | 2020-2026 | 13% won of 32 decided cases Won 4Mixed 1Lost 27 |
| 56 | JoNell ThomasActiveFederal Public Defender | 40 | 2000-2023 | 26% won of 34 decided cases Won 9Mixed 4Lost 21 |
| 57 | Marshal WillickActiveWillick Law Group | 40 | 2005-2026 | 39% won of 28 decided cases Won 11Mixed 5Lost 12 |
| 58 | Judge Jason D. WoodburyActiveFirst Judicial District Court | 40 | 2009-2024 | 79% won of 19 decided cases Won 15Mixed 1Lost 3 |
| 59 | Sean L. AndersonActiveWilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP | 38 | 2020-2025 | 80% won of 25 decided cases Won 20Mixed 2Lost 3 |
| 60 | George J. ChanosInactive | 38 | 2005-2006 | 59% won of 37 decided cases Won 22Mixed 3Lost 12 |
| 61 | Rex D. GarnerActiveFox Rothschild LLP | 38 | 2015-2026 | 78% won of 27 decided cases Won 21Mixed 1Lost 5 |
| 62 | Nancy L. LemckeActive | 38 | 2008-2026 | 21% won of 33 decided cases Won 7Mixed 3Lost 23 |
| 63 | James J. PisanelliActivePisanelli Bice PLLC | 38 | 2020-2026 | 53% won of 19 decided cases Won 10Mixed 3Lost 6 |
| 64 | Christopher L. BennerActivePyatt & Silvestri | 37 | 2020-2024 | 18% won of 17 decided cases Won 3Mixed 0Lost 14 |
| 65 | Charles Lawrence FinlaysonActiveClaggett & Sykes | 37 | 2021-2026 | 58% won of 26 decided cases Won 15Mixed 2Lost 9 |
| 66 | John D. Tennert IIIActiveFennemore Craig, P.C. | 37 | 2017-2026 | 43% won of 7 decided cases Won 3Mixed 1Lost 3 |
| 67 | Sean K. ClaggettActiveClaggett and Sykes Law Firm | 36 | 2020-2026 | 63% won of 24 decided cases Won 15Mixed 0Lost 9 |
| 68 | Kory J. KoerperichActiveWomble Bond Dickinson | 36 | 2022-2026 | 19% won of 27 decided cases Won 5Mixed 6Lost 16 |
| 69 | Christopher R. OramActive | 36 | 2006-2026 | 15% won of 34 decided cases Won 5Mixed 2Lost 27 |
| 70 | Joseph C. ReynoldsActiveHutchison & Steffen, PLLC | 36 | 2020-2026 | 48% won of 21 decided cases Won 10Mixed 2Lost 9 |
| 71 | Lilith Vala XaraActiveLitchfield Cavo, LLP | 36 | 2020-2024 | 76% won of 17 decided cases Won 13Mixed 2Lost 2 |
| 72 | Daniel BravoActiveBravo Schrager LLP | 35 | 2014-2026 | 56% won of 27 decided cases Won 15Mixed 1Lost 11 |
| 73 | Mark E. FerrarioActiveGreenberg Traurig, LLP | 35 | 2009-2026 | 63% won of 24 decided cases Won 15Mixed 1Lost 8 |
| 74 | Matthew L. SharpActiveMatthew L. Sharp, Ltd. | 35 | 2011-2026 | 46% won of 13 decided cases Won 6Mixed 1Lost 6 |
| 75 | Debra L. SpinelliActivePisanelli Bice PLLC | 35 | 2011-2026 | 68% won of 19 decided cases Won 13Mixed 1Lost 5 |
| 76 | William M. WatersActiveClark County PD's Office | 35 | 2013-2026 | 13% won of 31 decided cases Won 4Mixed 7Lost 20 |
| 77 | Nicholas Ethan BelayActiveAkerman LLP | 34 | 2020-2026 | 79% won of 14 decided cases Won 11Mixed 1Lost 2 |
| 78 | Emily M. McFarlingActiveMcFarling Cohen Fic & Squires | 34 | 2015-2025 | 24% won of 17 decided cases Won 4Mixed 6Lost 7 |
| 79 | James Norman TuftelandExempt Inactive | 34 | 2001-2008 | 69% won of 32 decided cases Won 22Mixed 5Lost 5 |
| 80 | Christopher R. ArabiaActiveCity of Ely | 33 | 2020-2026 | 77% won of 22 decided cases Won 17Mixed 0Lost 5 |
| 81 | Joseph A. GutierrezActiveMaier Gutierrez & Associates | 33 | 2017-2026 | 35% won of 20 decided cases Won 7Mixed 2Lost 11 |
| 82 | Donna M. WittigActiveSparrow Financial, Inc. | 33 | 2020-2025 | 95% won of 19 decided cases Won 18Mixed 0Lost 1 |
| 83 | Don SpringmeyerExempt ActiveKemp Jones, LLP | 31 | 2010-2026 | 50% won of 18 decided cases Won 9Mixed 0Lost 9 |
| 84 | Adam R. TrippiediActiveTriLaw | 31 | 2019-2026 | 32% won of 22 decided cases Won 7Mixed 0Lost 15 |
| 85 | Tami D. CowdenInactive | 30 | 2006-2025 | 45% won of 20 decided cases Won 9Mixed 3Lost 8 |
| 86 | Richard A. Gammick SrDeceased | 30 | 2000-2014 | 67% won of 27 decided cases Won 18Mixed 2Lost 7 |
| 87 | Jeffrey Morgan ConnerActiveNevada Attorney General's Office | 29 | 2014-2026 | 71% won of 17 decided cases Won 12Mixed 0Lost 5 |
| 88 | Adam LevineActiveLaw Office of Daniel Marks | 29 | 2011-2026 | 35% won of 23 decided cases Won 8Mixed 2Lost 13 |
| 89 | Frank A. Toddre IIActiveCozen O'Connor | 29 | 2019-2025 | 78% won of 9 decided cases Won 7Mixed 1Lost 1 |
| 90 | Kirk Darren VittoActivePahrump Justice Court | 29 | 2020-2023 | 84% won of 19 decided cases Won 16Mixed 0Lost 3 |
| 91 | Luke A. BusbyActiveLuke Andrew Busby, Ltd. | 28 | 2016-2026 | 38% won of 21 decided cases Won 8Mixed 4Lost 9 |
| 92 | Karla Kay ButkoActiveKarla K. Butko, Ltd. | 28 | 2001-2026 | 29% won of 24 decided cases Won 7Mixed 1Lost 16 |
| 93 | Mark A. HutchisonActiveHutchison & Steffen, PLLC | 28 | 2006-2026 | 35% won of 17 decided cases Won 6Mixed 3Lost 8 |
| 94 | Therese M. ShanksActiveFennemore Craig | 28 | 2015-2026 | 56% won of 18 decided cases Won 10Mixed 3Lost 5 |
| 95 | John Henry WrightActiveThe Wright Law Group, P.C. | 28 | 2008-2026 | 25% won of 16 decided cases Won 4Mixed 2Lost 10 |
| 96 | Kerry P. FaughnanActive | 27 | 2017-2023 | 13% won of 15 decided cases Won 2Mixed 0Lost 13 |
| 97 | Jacqueline V NicholsActiveWeingberg Wheeler Hudgins Gunn and Dial | 27 | 2019-2024 | 50% won of 16 decided cases Won 8Mixed 3Lost 5 |
| 98 | Stephen B. RyeActiveLyon County District Attorney's Office | 27 | 2018-2026 | 92% won of 13 decided cases Won 12Mixed 0Lost 1 |
| 99 | Alina Maria ShellActiveNevada Court of Appeals | 27 | 2018-2025 | 50% won of 14 decided cases Won 7Mixed 3Lost 4 |
| 100 | Steven G. ShevorskiActiveGreenberg Traurig LLP | 27 | 2020-2024 | 85% won of 13 decided cases Won 11Mixed 0Lost 2 |
How these numbers are computed
Where the data comes from. Published decisions and unpublished dispositional orders of the Supreme Court of Nevada and Court of Appeals of Nevada, with each case's parties and their lawyers taken from the courts' public case records. We match lawyer names to the bar roll and only count confident matches. Case data via YourNevadaJudges.com. U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit cases come from the public RECAP Archive on CourtListener (Free Law Project) and cover only the Nevada-origin dockets already in that archive, so the federal count is partial.
Cases counts each case once, no matter how many filings it had. Heads of government law offices (district attorneys, the attorney general, public defenders) are listed on every case their office handles, which is why they lead the table.
Results. Won means the court ruled the way that lawyer's side asked. Mixed means the court agreed in part. The percentage is won divided by all decided cases (won, mixed, and lost). Cases that were dismissed for procedural reasons, or where we could not determine the result, are not counted.
Read the percentage with care. Appellate courts uphold far more rulings than they overturn. A lawyer who mostly defends rulings will naturally show a higher won-share than one who mostly challenges them, and prosecutors mostly defend. Hover over a Results cell for the split between challenging and defending. Coverage of unpublished orders is still being extended, so counts for some lawyers will grow.
Firm view credits a case to the firm where the lawyer works today, even if the lawyer was elsewhere when the case was decided.