Paul Connaghan | Las Vegas Real Estate & Business Lawyer

Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire

Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference.
1. Scored victories in three separate lawsuits via summary judgment in real estate quiet title actions in favor of investors versus banks… I co-wrote summary judgment motions in three cases, then successfully argued the motions in open court, each before a different judge. In each case, the judge ruled in favor of our client, against fierce opposition from bank attorneys, leading to a judgment awarding clear title to the investor clients, free of the bank’s mortgage (deed of trust) lien.
2. Successfully negotiated a resolution and stipulated judgment for quiet title in another lawsuit on behalf of an investor client in a case contesting the bank’s first mortgage lien. Simultaneously corresponded with title insurance, artfully drafting language in the proposed stipulated judgment for review by title insurance underwriter, obtaining approval from both the underwriter and bank’s counsel of the coveted “lien free insurable title” in favor of the investor.

How did you build a successful practice?
I believe success as a lawyer comes from finding a marketable niche that the lawyer finds enjoyable, committing oneself to getting and staying good at it, then building relationships with like-minded people, and working hard and genuinely to learn and deliver professional services to help those people succeed.

What should clients look for in a lawyer?
Clients should research a lawyer’s credentials and practice areas. If possible, clients should briefly talk to a lawyer, and find any means possible, whether by way of referrals or otherwise, to get a sense of whether the lawyer has integrity, intelligence, knowledge and genuinely cares to help people get what they need.

How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?
Understanding what is happening in the community from a legal, political and business standpoint is highly important to success in handling local matters on behalf of clientele.

What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?
I believe I connect more readily with clients, by truly listening, hearing, caring about and putting my heart and soul into advocating to bring about the best possible outcome for them.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
When the people I represent come out of my office happier and in a better place than when they came in.

What are your other interests in addition to law?
Socializing with family and friends; surfing the web for great speeches, music, articles and other writings. I love to ski and golf with friends.

Are you involved in your community?
Yes, I serve as a volunteer judge, mentoring and assisting high school students, and serve as a volunteer child abuse prevention (CAP) attorney and advocate on behalf of children in family court. I serve on the Advisory Committee to the Nevada Judicial Discipline Commission, examining and contributing to advisory opinions to the Commission on legal issues that arise within Nevada’s judiciary. I also work with the City of Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada, and the State of Nevada Real Estate Division as a part-time Judge, Arbitrator, Hearing Officer and Mediator.

• Federal District Court of Nevada | 1987
  9th Circuit of Appeals | 2013
  Standing Committee on Judicial Ethics and Election Practices for the State Bar of Nevada | Appointed Member | 2014 - Present
  Kiwanis | Member | 2011 - Present
  Clark County Bar Association | Member
  State Bar of Nevada, Real Property Law Section | Member
  Lions Association | Member | 2010 - 2010

• Top Lawyer | Desert Companion Magazine | 2014
  "The List" of Local Law Firms | The Las Vegas Business Press | 2012
  Certificate of Appreciation as an Honorary Judge at Mock Trial | Sate Bar of Nevada | 2011
  Certificate of Appreciation | IREM/National Association of Realtors | 1995
  American Inns of Court Foundation | American Inns of Court Foundation | 1989
  Cum Laude | Boston College | 1983

• Successful Representation of Buyer of Commercial Property
  Successfully represented a purchaser of commercial real estate in negotiation and resolution of several points of dispute with seller related to the property's future use and development, bringing to fruition the purchaser's plans and goals.

• State Bar of Nevada CLE | Real Estate Foreclosure | Ethics in Real Estate | 2014
  State Bar of Nevada CLE | Ethical Considerations in Real Estate Transactions | 2008
  State Bar of Nevada CLE | Foreclosure in Nevada | 1998

• Website | Connaghan Law
• Linkedin | Paul Connaghan