History: The firm was founded in 1918 by William Woodburn and is the oldest law firm in the State. In 1952, the law firm of Wedge and Blakey merged into our firm which has experienced a period of continuous growth by the addition of various lawyers with necessary expertise in the areas of the firm's practice. The firm presently consists of 19 lawyers.
Areas of Emphasis and Growth: The firm provides a full range of services for a variety of national and local clients. Our clients require services involving individual tax and estate planning, business planning, corporate mergers and acquisitions, environmental matters, water rights, mining law, real and personal property law, probate and guardianship, family law, bankruptcy law and litigation. To service our clients, we have developed practice areas in Bankruptcy, Corporations, Litigation, Environmental Law, Mining, Natural Resources and Water Law, Real Property, Family Law, Estate Planning and Taxation, Employment Law and Construction Law.
Client Base: Our firm's client base includes national manufacturing, mining, oil, printing, financial and service industries, together with statewide and local businesses, individuals, churches and hospitals.
Firm Activities: Our firm encourages the involvement of its members and associates in professional organizations and involvement in civic functions as well as pro bono activities. All members of the firm are members of the American Bar Association; State Bar of Nevada and the Washoe County Bar Association; various members are associated with both national and local professional organizations in their respective fields of expertise.
Significant Directions: The firm was selected by the United States Air Force to represent it in acquiring water rights for a significant national project. The firm successfully defended a major recording corporation and a rock band in a landmark suit involving subliminal speech and free speech issues. Present and past members of the firm have served in numerous positions of distinction such as President of the State Bar, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Chairman of the National Public Land Advisory Council, Democratic National Committeeman and as chairman of numerous local boards and commissions. Former members of the firm left the firm for appointments to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Nevada Supreme Court and State District Court.
