Most appellate cases
Nevada attorneys ranked by how many Supreme Court of Nevada, Court of Appeals of Nevada and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 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 | 7,066 | 2018-2026 | 90% won of 5347 decided cases Won 4829Mixed 181Lost 337 |
| 2 | Adam P. LaxaltActiveCooper & Kirk PLLC | 4,134 | 2014-2020 | 92% won of 3175 decided cases Won 2933Mixed 79Lost 163 |
| 3 | Alexander G. ChenActiveClark County DA's Office | 3,169 | 2016-2026 | 90% won of 2437 decided cases Won 2188Mixed 98Lost 151 |
| 4 | Steven S OwensActiveSteven S Owens, LLC | 2,839 | 2004-2026 | 89% won of 2219 decided cases Won 1983Mixed 60Lost 176 |
| 5 | Jennifer P. NobleActiveWashoe Co. DA's Office | 1,277 | 2014-2026 | 90% won of 1015 decided cases Won 912Mixed 36Lost 67 |
| 6 | Shanon L. ClowersActiveClark County District Attorney's Office | 614 | 2017-2026 | 85% won of 437 decided cases Won 372Mixed 21Lost 44 |
| 7 | Ariel E. SternActive | 549 | 2006-2026 | 75% won of 361 decided cases Won 272Mixed 17Lost 72 |
| 8 | Jonathan VanBoskerckActive | 512 | 2013-2025 | 82% won of 491 decided cases Won 405Mixed 29Lost 57 |
| 9 | Steven Bryan WolfsonExempt ActiveClark County DA's Office | 484 | 2001-2026 | 68% won of 374 decided cases Won 256Mixed 28Lost 90 |
| 10 | Terrence P. McCarthyInactive | 483 | 2000-2019 | 94% won of 391 decided cases Won 368Mixed 7Lost 16 |
| 11 | John Thomas AfsharActiveClark County DA's Office | 350 | 2018-2026 | 87% won of 326 decided cases Won 285Mixed 18Lost 23 |
| 12 | John Reese PettyExempt Inactive | 326 | 2000-2024 | 9% won of 256 decided cases Won 23Mixed 10Lost 223 |
| 13 | Howard S. BrooksInactiveLaw Office of Howard Brooks | 325 | 2002-2022 | 11% won of 287 decided cases Won 33Mixed 18Lost 236 |
| 14 | Daniel F. PolsenbergActiveWomble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP | 297 | 1999-2026 | 37% won of 183 decided cases Won 68Mixed 30Lost 85 |
| 15 | Joseph Y. HongActiveHong & Hong, APLC | 268 | 2015-2026 | 12% won of 187 decided cases Won 23Mixed 8Lost 156 |
| 16 | Karen Lynn MishlerActiveClark County District Attorney | 245 | 2019-2026 | 87% won of 230 decided cases Won 200Mixed 8Lost 22 |
| 17 | Kevin P. NaughtonActiveWashoe County DA's Office | 233 | 2019-2026 | 89% won of 219 decided cases Won 195Mixed 12Lost 12 |
| 18 | Darren T. BrennerActiveKlinedinst PC | 228 | 2016-2024 | 78% won of 141 decided cases Won 110Mixed 7Lost 24 |
| 19 | Allison L. HerrActiveCannabis Compliance Board | 223 | 2016-2022 | 92% won of 167 decided cases Won 153Mixed 10Lost 4 |
| 20 | Michael Frederick BohnActiveMichael F. Bohn, Esq., Ltd. | 222 | 2002-2026 | 25% won of 155 decided cases Won 39Mixed 6Lost 110 |
| 21 | Taleen R Pandukht EsqActive | 220 | 2007-2026 | 91% won of 207 decided cases Won 189Mixed 4Lost 14 |
| 22 | Judge Jason D. WoodburyActiveFirst Judicial District Court | 220 | 2004-2024 | 93% won of 173 decided cases Won 161Mixed 4Lost 8 |
| 23 | Marilee CateActiveWashoe County DAs Office | 208 | 2018-2026 | 88% won of 193 decided cases Won 170Mixed 7Lost 16 |
| 24 | Irene S TresserInactive | 207 | 2000-2011 | 62% won of 99 decided cases Won 61Mixed 9Lost 29 |
| 25 | Charles W. ThomanActiveClark County DA's Office | 199 | 2016-2021 | 89% won of 185 decided cases Won 165Mixed 7Lost 13 |
| 26 | Tyler J. IngramActiveElko County District Attorney | 195 | 2016-2026 | 91% won of 171 decided cases Won 155Mixed 3Lost 13 |
| 27 | Melanie D. MorganActiveAtlas Solomon LLP | 194 | 2012-2024 | 81% won of 131 decided cases Won 106Mixed 3Lost 22 |
| 28 | Scott R. LachmanActiveAkerman LLP | 192 | 2016-2026 | 82% won of 137 decided cases Won 112Mixed 4Lost 21 |
| 29 | Kirk Darren VittoActivePahrump Justice Court | 188 | 2012-2024 | 90% won of 141 decided cases Won 127Mixed 7Lost 7 |
| 30 | Micah S. EcholsActiveClaggett and Sykes Law Firm | 184 | 2007-2026 | 46% won of 112 decided cases Won 52Mixed 16Lost 44 |
| 31 | Leslie B HartActiveFennemore | 179 | 2014-2026 | 60% won of 5 decided cases Won 3Mixed 0Lost 2 |
| 32 | Ryan J. MacDonaldActive | 164 | 2013-2019 | 84% won of 151 decided cases Won 127Mixed 8Lost 16 |
| 33 | Robert L. EisenbergExempt ActiveLemons, Grundy & Eisenberg | 160 | 2003-2026 | 41% won of 101 decided cases Won 41Mixed 20Lost 40 |
| 34 | Kelly H. DoveActiveSnell & Wilmer | 158 | 2012-2026 | 53% won of 92 decided cases Won 49Mixed 7Lost 36 |
| 35 | Rene Louis ValladaresActiveFederal Public Defender's Office | 156 | 2012-2026 | 5% won of 136 decided cases Won 7Mixed 3Lost 126 |
| 36 | Joel D. HenriodActiveHenriod Stern PLLC | 155 | 2005-2026 | 43% won of 95 decided cases Won 41Mixed 9Lost 45 |
| 37 | Karen L. HanksActiveHanks Law Group | 154 | 2010-2026 | 27% won of 91 decided cases Won 25Mixed 7Lost 59 |
| 38 | Natalie Lynn WinslowActiveAtlas Solomon LLP | 154 | 2013-2026 | 73% won of 102 decided cases Won 74Mixed 4Lost 24 |
| 39 | Christopher J. HicksActive | 150 | 2015-2026 | 68% won of 124 decided cases Won 84Mixed 7Lost 33 |
| 40 | Karla Kay ButkoActiveKarla K. Butko, Ltd. | 149 | 2001-2026 | 8% won of 139 decided cases Won 11Mixed 4Lost 124 |
| 41 | Abraham G. SmithActiveHolland & Hart LLP | 148 | 2016-2026 | 39% won of 99 decided cases Won 39Mixed 15Lost 45 |
| 42 | Jacqueline A. GilbertExempt Inactive | 144 | 2009-2022 | 35% won of 86 decided cases Won 30Mixed 6Lost 50 |
| 43 | Diana Samalaulu ClineActiveCline Legal Solutions LLC | 132 | 2014-2026 | 35% won of 83 decided cases Won 29Mixed 6Lost 48 |
| 44 | Kathryn E. ReynoldsActiveWashoe County PD's Office | 131 | 2020-2026 | 7% won of 120 decided cases Won 8Mixed 8Lost 104 |
| 45 | Krista D. BarrieInactiveOffice of Lawyers Prof Responsibility | 129 | 2016-2020 | 88% won of 126 decided cases Won 111Mixed 4Lost 11 |
| 46 | Christopher R. OramActive | 128 | 2002-2026 | 6% won of 113 decided cases Won 7Mixed 7Lost 99 |
| 47 | Daniel L SchwartzActiveHooks Meng & Clement | 128 | 2003-2026 | 33% won of 80 decided cases Won 26Mixed 2Lost 52 |
| 48 | Christopher R. ArabiaActiveCity of Ely | 127 | 2015-2026 | 83% won of 104 decided cases Won 86Mixed 5Lost 13 |
| 49 | Emily M. McFarlingActiveMcFarling Cohen Fic & Squires | 122 | 2009-2026 | 35% won of 95 decided cases Won 33Mixed 23Lost 39 |
| 50 | Rex D. GarnerActiveFox Rothschild LLP | 121 | 2013-2026 | 74% won of 82 decided cases Won 61Mixed 3Lost 18 |
| 51 | Joseph R. Plater IIIInactive | 121 | 2000-2022 | 89% won of 94 decided cases Won 84Mixed 0Lost 10 |
| 52 | Angela A. BelloActiveWolfenzon Rolle | 120 | 2012-2022 | 91% won of 76 decided cases Won 69Mixed 3Lost 4 |
| 53 | Adam R. TrippiediActiveTriLaw | 119 | 2017-2026 | 26% won of 84 decided cases Won 22Mixed 2Lost 60 |
| 54 | Donna M. WittigActiveSparrow Financial, Inc. | 118 | 2011-2025 | 81% won of 83 decided cases Won 67Mixed 2Lost 14 |
| 55 | James Norman TuftelandExempt Inactive | 114 | 2000-2008 | 67% won of 54 decided cases Won 36Mixed 8Lost 10 |
| 56 | Mark B. JacksonActiveDouglas County DA | 113 | 2005-2026 | 94% won of 78 decided cases Won 73Mixed 2Lost 3 |
| 57 | Stephen B. RyeActiveLyon County District Attorney's Office | 111 | 2015-2026 | 97% won of 88 decided cases Won 85Mixed 1Lost 2 |
| 58 | JoNell ThomasActiveFederal Public Defender | 110 | 2000-2025 | 18% won of 77 decided cases Won 14Mixed 5Lost 58 |
| 59 | Michael J. BongardActiveOffice of the Attorney General | 107 | 2014-2026 | 95% won of 77 decided cases Won 73Mixed 2Lost 2 |
| 60 | Roger P. CroteauActiveRoger P. Croteau & Associates, Ltd | 103 | 2001-2026 | 15% won of 55 decided cases Won 8Mixed 1Lost 46 |
| 61 | Michael MacdonaldActiveLander County DA's Office | 102 | 2015-2024 | 95% won of 81 decided cases Won 77Mixed 3Lost 1 |
| 62 | Frank A. Toddre IIActiveCozen O'Connor | 102 | 2016-2026 | 75% won of 59 decided cases Won 44Mixed 6Lost 9 |
| 63 | Lilith Vala XaraActiveLitchfield Cavo, LLP | 102 | 2016-2024 | 75% won of 64 decided cases Won 48Mixed 5Lost 11 |
| 64 | Christopher F. BurtonActiveUnited States Attorney's Office | 100 | 2015-2025 | 81% won of 95 decided cases Won 77Mixed 7Lost 11 |
| 65 | Thomas L. QuallsActiveWashoe County Alternate PD | 100 | 2005-2026 | 2% won of 89 decided cases Won 2Mixed 0Lost 87 |
| 66 | John D. Tennert IIIActiveFennemore Craig, P.C. | 100 | 2017-2026 | 50% won of 8 decided cases Won 4Mixed 1Lost 3 |
| 67 | Todd L. BiceActivePisanelli Bice, LLC | 99 | 2001-2026 | 51% won of 59 decided cases Won 30Mixed 3Lost 26 |
| 68 | Joseph P. GarinActiveGarin Law Group | 97 | 2014-2026 | 61% won of 54 decided cases Won 33Mixed 3Lost 18 |
| 69 | Jaimie Ann StilzActive | 96 | 2016-2026 | 93% won of 74 decided cases Won 69Mixed 1Lost 4 |
| 70 | Sally S. deSotoActiveWashoe County Public Defender | 94 | 2015-2022 | 6% won of 85 decided cases Won 5Mixed 2Lost 78 |
| 71 | Kerry P. FaughnanActive | 94 | 2015-2023 | 26% won of 34 decided cases Won 9Mixed 1Lost 24 |
| 72 | David J. J. RogerActive | 94 | 2002-2026 | 57% won of 83 decided cases Won 47Mixed 9Lost 27 |
| 73 | Michael K. WallDeceased | 93 | 2006-2024 | 43% won of 61 decided cases Won 26Mixed 4Lost 31 |
| 74 | Chris W. DavisActiveOffice of the Nevada Attorney General | 90 | 2011-2026 | 70% won of 37 decided cases Won 26Mixed 8Lost 3 |
| 75 | Dana Jonathon NitzActive | 90 | 2016-2020 | 57% won of 49 decided cases Won 28Mixed 1Lost 20 |
| 76 | Heather D. ProcterActiveNevada Attorney General's Office | 90 | 2009-2025 | 97% won of 64 decided cases Won 62Mixed 0Lost 2 |
| 77 | James J. PisanelliActivePisanelli Bice PLLC | 88 | 2002-2026 | 45% won of 51 decided cases Won 23Mixed 5Lost 23 |
| 78 | Jordan T. SmithActiveBrownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP | 87 | 2014-2026 | 53% won of 49 decided cases Won 26Mixed 4Lost 19 |
| 79 | Bradley S. SchragerActiveBravo Schrager LLP | 86 | 2008-2026 | 54% won of 56 decided cases Won 30Mixed 5Lost 21 |
| 80 | Marshal WillickActiveWillick Law Group | 86 | 2002-2026 | 39% won of 59 decided cases Won 23Mixed 15Lost 21 |
| 81 | Christina V. MillerActiveWright, Finlay & Zak, LLP | 85 | 2017-2026 | 81% won of 48 decided cases Won 39Mixed 1Lost 8 |
| 82 | Amanda C. SageActiveWashoe County DA's Office | 85 | 2016-2026 | 93% won of 67 decided cases Won 62Mixed 3Lost 2 |
| 83 | Richard F. CornellExempt ActiveRichard F. Cornell, P.C. | 83 | 2000-2026 | 10% won of 70 decided cases Won 7Mixed 6Lost 57 |
| 84 | Craig A. MuellerActiveCraig Mueller & Associates | 80 | 2008-2026 | 13% won of 53 decided cases Won 7Mixed 0Lost 46 |
| 85 | Jessica E. PerlickActiveOffice of the Nevada Attorney General | 80 | 2016-2020 | 92% won of 73 decided cases Won 67Mixed 1Lost 5 |
| 86 | John Henry WrightActiveThe Wright Law Group, P.C. | 78 | 2008-2026 | 35% won of 48 decided cases Won 17Mixed 3Lost 28 |
| 87 | Kent F. LarsenActiveSmith Larsen & Wixom | 77 | 2016-2024 | 73% won of 45 decided cases Won 33Mixed 1Lost 11 |
| 88 | Tenesa Susan PowellActiveJackson Lewis P.C. | 77 | 2017-2023 | 53% won of 45 decided cases Won 24Mixed 3Lost 18 |
| 89 | Michael N. BeedeActiveAndersen Beede Weisenmiller | 75 | 2016-2024 | 43% won of 46 decided cases Won 20Mixed 2Lost 24 |
| 90 | Margaret A. McLetchieActiveMcLetchie Law | 75 | 2010-2026 | 36% won of 44 decided cases Won 16Mixed 10Lost 18 |
| 91 | Thera Aschanta CooperActiveTyson & Mendes, LLP | 73 | 2017-2020 | 81% won of 52 decided cases Won 42Mixed 1Lost 9 |
| 92 | Katrina Ann LopezActiveOffice of the Nevada Attorney General | 73 | 2016-2026 | 97% won of 59 decided cases Won 57Mixed 0Lost 2 |
| 93 | Arthur E. MalloryExempt ActiveChurchill County DA's Office | 73 | 2004-2026 | 93% won of 54 decided cases Won 50Mixed 1Lost 3 |
| 94 | Robert C. McBrideActiveMcBride Hall | 73 | 2010-2026 | 38% won of 55 decided cases Won 21Mixed 8Lost 26 |
| 95 | William M. WatersActiveClark County PD's Office | 73 | 2013-2026 | 12% won of 68 decided cases Won 8Mixed 11Lost 49 |
| 96 | Daniel MarksExempt ActiveLaw Office of Daniel Marks, Ltd. | 71 | 2004-2026 | 39% won of 54 decided cases Won 21Mixed 6Lost 27 |
| 97 | Victoria T. OldenburgActiveVictoria Oldenburg, Esq. | 71 | 2004-2025 | 3% won of 65 decided cases Won 2Mixed 1Lost 62 |
| 98 | Mark E. FerrarioActiveGreenberg Traurig, LLP | 70 | 2006-2026 | 62% won of 52 decided cases Won 32Mixed 3Lost 17 |
| 99 | Katheryn A. B. HickmanActiveAlternate Public Defender's Office | 70 | 2018-2026 | 10% won of 61 decided cases Won 6Mixed 1Lost 54 |
| 100 | Brian T. KunziActiveNye County DA's Office | 70 | 2001-2026 | 80% won of 46 decided cases Won 37Mixed 4Lost 5 |
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.