LAS VEGAS – Aug. 14, 2019 – Pisanelli Bice announced the promotion of two attorneys, Jordan T. Smith and M. Magali Mercera.
Smith was promoted from Of Counsel to Partner. He joined the firm in 2012 and returned in 2019 after serving as deputy solicitor general of Nevada. His practice focuses on appellate and complex litigation. Smith has experience in all phases of litigation from strategic planning, trial and appeal. He has argued 18 times in various state and federal appellate courts on issues ranging from business disputes and administrative law to habeas corpus and the death penalty.
Smith also has published scholarly articles on subjects including gaming law, statutory interpretation, and appellate practice. While at the Nevada Attorney General’s Office, Smith represented the state in many constitutional cases and matters of statewide or national importance.
Smith has been recognized by his peers as one of Nevada’s leading litigators, including being named by Best Lawyers as the “Appellate Practice Lawyer of the Year” for Las Vegas. He also has been recognized by Super Lawyers, Nevada Business Magazine, and Desert Companion Magazine. Smith is also known for his community service. He has argued pro bono appeals in conjunction with the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, and he regularly volunteers for the Special Olympics of Nevada.
James Pisanelli, founding partner of Pisanelli Bice offered praise for the firm’s newest partner. “Jordan has a very impressive background litigating in the state and federal courts. He represents the firm extremely well in both small and complex cases.”
Mercera was promoted from Associate to Of Counsel. She joined Pisanelli Bice in 2011 and represents clients in a variety of complex business cases. Her litigation practice is focused on commercial disputes ranging from breach of contract and fiduciary duty claims to property and construction disputes. Mercera has experience with all aspects of litigation from discovery through motion practice and trial. Additionally, she is an active volunteer with the Children’s Attorney Project, representing children in the foster care system.
While attending law school, Mercera served as the managing editor of the Nevada Law Journal and as a judicial extern to The Honorable James C. Mahan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. Her accomplishments in the legal profession have earned her accolades from many organizations and publications, including Martindale-Hubbell, Super
Lawyers, VEGAS INC Magazine, Nevada Business Magazine, and the Las Vegas Business Press. She also was recognized by Best Lawyers in America in the area of commercial litigation.
“Magali is focused on excellence. She continually sets herself apart through her outstanding work ethic, her exceptional organizational skills and her passion for the litigation process,” said Pisanelli.
LAS VEGAS – (May 31, 2019) – James J. Pisanelli and Todd L. Bice, founding partners of Pisanelli Bice PLLC, announced today that seven of the firm’s attorneys were among select lawyers recognized on the Mountain States 2019 Super Lawyers lists. Super Lawyers is a national rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
Pisanelli, Bice and managing partner Debra L. Spinelli were honored once again as three of the leading top 100 lawyers in the mountain region, which includes Nevada, Montana, Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. Pisanelli has earned Top 100 Super Lawyers distinction every year since 2012, and the 2019 listing marks Bice’s seventh year in a row on the Top 100 list.
Spinelli was selected to the Top 50 Women Mountain States Super Lawyers list again this year. The 2019 listing marks the fourth consecutive year that Spinelli has been selected to the Top 50 Women list.
Attorneys Dustun H. Holmes, Kirill V. Mikhaylov, Ava M. Schaefer, and M. Magali Mercera were named 2019 Mountain States Rising Stars. This is Schaefer’s fourth consecutive year appearing on the list, and it is the third consecutive year that Holmes and Mikhaylov have been named Rising Stars. This is the first year that Mercera is recognized as one of the Mountain States Rising Stars.
Recognition by Super Lawyers is a prestigious and highly sought-after honor with only five percent of Nevada’s attorneys selected as Super Lawyers and 2.5 percent selected as Rising Stars. Attorneys are designated after undergoing a comprehensive nomination and evaluation process. This patented, multifaceted process includes a statewide search, nominations and evaluations of top attorneys based on peer recognition and professional achievement, as well as independent research conducted by Super Lawyers’ parent company, Thomson Reuters, the world’s most respected source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals.
About Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers state and regional listings are published nationwide in Super Lawyers magazines, leading local and statewide publications, and metropolitan newspaper supplements across the country. Super Lawyers magazines also feature editorial profiles of attorneys who embody excellence in the practice of law. For more information about Super Lawyers, visit https://www.superlawyers.com.
LAS VEGAS (May 6, 2019) – James J. Pisanelli and Todd L. Bice, founding partners of Pisanelli Bice PLLC, announced today that the boutique law firm has been named among the country’s best litigation firms in rankings compiled by the prestigious service Chambers & Partners.
Pisanelli Bice is one of only four Nevada firms honored in Band 1 of the Chambers USA 2019 guide for General Commercial Litigation. Chambers and Partners ranks attorneys and firms based on interviews with their clients and legal colleagues. The guide’s researchers report that Pisanelli Bice provides “quality representation in a range of commercial litigation for local gaming and hotel resorts, governmental bodies and construction companies,” and is “highly experienced at both trial and appellate level in issues arising out of corporate and real estate transactions including (mergers and acquisitions) and major property developments.”
Chambers also recognized and spotlighted both founders as outstanding litigators, as both Pisanelli and Bice are ranked as Band 1 attorneys for General Commercial Litigation.
The guide’s commentary notes that Pisanelli’s “strong litigation practice incorporates commercial, construction and healthcare expertise,” and a client states that he is a “very solid advocate.”
Bice is described as “highly regarded in the market and earns particular praise for his trial skills. He represents clients in business disputes and offers expertise in gaming matters.”
The firm has represented Caesars Entertainment, City National Bank, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, MGM Resorts, the State of Nevada, and United Health among other high-profile clients. This is the fourth year Pisanelli Bice received a Band 1 distinction.
“We are honored that Chambers continues to recognize our commitment to excellence when serving our clients,” Pisanelli said. “Our small, professional team uses extensive experiences and acumen to provide a concerted focus in commercial litigation, ensuring our clients receive the effective representation they deserve.”
LAS VEGAS – (Feb. 1, 2019) James J. Pisanelli and Todd L. Bice, founding partners of Pisanelli Bice, PLLC, announce that Jordan Smith has rejoined the firm as of counsel. Mr. Smith joined the firm in 2012 and now returns after serving as Deputy Solicitor General of Nevada. He will represent the firm in matters related to appellate and complex litigation.
“I am pleased to be rejoining the firm and look forward to advocating for our clients,” said Smith. “It is an honor to be a part of one of the leading law firms in Southern Nevada.”
Mr. Smith has more than eight years of experience in appellate and complex litigation. He has argued 18 times in various state and federal appellate courts on a range of issues, including business disputes, administrative law, bankruptcy, habeas corpus, and the death penalty.
While at the Nevada Attorney General’s Office, Mr. Smith represented the state in many constitutional cases and matters of statewide or national importance. He was lead counsel in the state’s first method of execution challenge since 2006, won a nationwide injunction against an unlawful federal regulation in a multi-state lawsuit, and successfully defended the state in the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit against an effort to jump-start the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste project.
Mr. Smith has been recognized by his peers as one of Nevada’s leading litigators, including being named by Best Lawyers as the “Appellate Practice Lawyer of the Year” for Las Vegas, a “Legal Elite” by Nevada Business Magazine, “Appellate Practice Rising Star” by Mountain States Super Lawyers, and a “Top Lawyer” in litigation by Desert Companion Magazine.
“We are excited to welcome Jordan back to our legal team,” said Pisanelli. “He returns to us with an impressive record of litigating in the state and federal courts, and we know that he will serve our clients well and with the highest skill level they have come to expect from Pisanell Bice.”
Mr. Smith is a member of the State Bar of Nevada and the Federalist Society and regularly argues pro bono appeals in conjunction with the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. He has published several scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals on issues of gaming law and statutory interpretation. Mr. Smith also engages in continuing legal education presentations and other speaking engagements.
It is with deep sadness that Pisanelli Bice announces the passing of our colleague, mentor, and friend, Barry B. Langberg. Barry passed away on October 4, 2018, following a fierce and valiant battle with cancer. His love of life is reflected in the many and various stories he shared with family and friends. And, his love of and extraordinary talent as a trial attorney is reflected not only in the victories he accomplished for his clients, but also in the many lawyers privileged to learn and grow under his spirited tutelage and imbued with his passion and skill. Barry is and will be greatly missed by his Pisanelli Bice family and by all who knew him.
Click here to view his obituary.
