Kamala Harris Challenges Donald Trump – and Nevada May Decide the Next President • How The Uber-Backed Ballot Measure “Nevadans For Fair Recovery” Will Harm Victims Of Negligence • Less is More: Steve Edmundson’s Approach to Nevada’s Pension Fund Management • THE MOB MUSEUM: National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement
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EDITOR IN CHIEF
PRESTON P. REZAEE, ESQ.
PUBLISHER
TYLER MORGAN, ESQ.
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
JEFFRY COLLINS, ESQ.
MARKETING
DIANA COLLINS
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INFO@VEGASLEGALMAGAZINE.COM CALL 702-222-3476
CONTRIBUTORS
MARK FIERRO
JOSH KASOFF
VALERIE MILLER
MARK MARTIAK
DAN HERRERA
DONOVAN THIESSEN, CPA
DON LOGAY
MYRON MARTIN
ANDREW CASH, M.D.
JIM LA FORTE
LAW
12 | COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION
16 | VEGAS ICON: TOM PITARO, ESQ.
20 | SENATOR DALLAS HARRIS AND THE FUTURE OF NEVADA’S CANNABIS MARKET
24 | HOW THE UBER-BACKED BALLOT MEASURE “NEVADANS FOR FAIR RECOVERY” WILL HARM VICTIMS OF NEGLIGENCE
34 | KAMALA HARRIS CHALLENGES DONALD TRUMPAND NEVADA MAY DECIDE THE NEXT PRESIDENT
BUSINESS
50 | THE WAIT IS OVER; OR IS IT?
54 | LESS IS MORE: STEVE EDMUNDSON’S APPROACH TO NEVADA’S PENSION FUND MANAGEMENT
64: COO CRAIG O’KEEFE DISCUSSES THE VISION BEHIND CLIQUE HOSPITALITY
68: THE FIGHT ISN’T OVER
LIFESTYLE
74 | THE MOB MUSEUM
82 | DON SNYDER’S ENDURING IMPACT ON THE SMITH CENTER
84 | LIQUID DIET
86 | WHAT TO WATCH AND READ
88 | BALANCING LIFE AND SPINE HEALTH
91 | HUMOR
SENATOR DALLAS HARRIS AND THE FUTURE OF NEVADA’S CANNABIS MARKET
THE WAIT IS OVER; OR IS IT?
THE MOB MUSEUM
Photo courtesy The Mob Museum
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Aswe embrace the vibrant warmth of summer, I am thrilled to present to you our latest edition of Vegas Legal Magazine. This season, we delve into a mix of pressing legal topics, pivotal business insights, and engaging lifestyle features that capture the essence and energy of our bustling city. Our summer issue is designed not only to inform but also to provoke thought and conversation on subjects that matter to us all.
Leading the charge is our comprehensive cover story on the 2024 Presidential election. As the political landscape heats up, we bring you an in-depth analysis of the candidates, their platforms, and what their policies could mean for Las Vegas and beyond. This election promises to be a watershed moment, and our coverage offers a crucial lens through which to view the potential impacts on our legal and business environments.
In a special feature, we critically examine the Uber-backed ballot measure, “Nevadans For Fair Recovery.” This proposal has stirred considerable debate across the state. Our article explores the implications of this measure, arguing that it could significantly harm victims of negligence by limiting their ability to claim fair compensation. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersections of law, business, and consumer rights, providing a clear-eyed look at the potential consequences for our community.
We also celebrate a local legend in our Vegas Icon article about Tom Pitaro, Esq., a stalwart in the legal community whose career has been nothing short of exemplary. Pitaro’s contributions to law and his enduring impact on the legal scene in Las Vegas are highlighted, offering a narrative of dedication, expertise, and influence that continues to inspire many.
Beyond these features, this issue is packed with articles that span the gamut from innovative business startups in our city to lifestyle pieces that offer summer entertainment and leisure activities unique to Las Vegas. Whether you’re interested in the latest legal discussions, business trends, or looking for the best ways to enjoy the city during these sunny months, there’s something in this issue for you.
Additionally, we are excited to welcome new advertisers who join us in our mission to provide the highest quality content to our readers. Their support helps us continue to offer in-depth, nuanced content that speaks directly to the interests and needs of our community.
To our loyal readers, thank you for your continued engagement and feedback, which shapes our work and our mission. To our new readers, we welcome you to a community of informed, active citizens who care deeply about the fabric of our city.
LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
Asthe season progresses, I am delighted to present another vibrant issue of Vegas Legal Magazine, your premier source for the latest in law, business, and lifestyle in our spirited city. I am delighted to share with you an issue that not only informs and engages but also celebrates the innovative leaders and dynamic sectors that keep Las Vegas thriving.
In this issue, we shine a spotlight on Craig O’Keefe, the Chief Operating Officer of Clique Hospitality. Through an in-depth profile, we explore how O’Keefe’s visionary leadership and strategic acumen have propelled the company to new heights, setting new standards in the hospitality industry. His story is a compelling narrative of innovation and success, providing valuable insights into the business practices that drive growth in one of our city’s most competitive sectors.
Another highlight of this edition is our feature on Senator Dallas Harris and the future of Nevada’s cannabis market. As legislative discussions evolve, Senator Harris has become a pivotal figure in shaping policies that could significantly impact both the economic landscape and regulatory framework of this burgeoning industry. Our article delves into the potential changes and challenges ahead, offering a thoughtful analysis of what they mean for entrepreneurs, consumers, and legal professionals alike.
We are also thrilled to welcome Dr. Koe as a new advertiser in Vegas Legal Magazine. Dr. Koe’s innovative approaches to healthcare and his commitment to community wellness make him a valuable partner in our mission to inform and inspire our readers. His inclusion in our magazine underscores our ongoing effort to connect our audience with leaders and services that enhance their professional and personal lives.
This issue of Vegas Legal Magazine continues our tradition of providing high-quality content that resonates with the interests and needs of our diverse readership. From exploring significant legal and business developments to showcasing the individuals who shape our city’s culture and economy, each article is crafted with the utmost care and attention to detail.
We believe that informed citizens are the foundation of a dynamic community, and we remain dedicated to offering you a magazine that not only keeps you informed but also enriches your understanding of the complex world around us.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement. Whether you are a long-time subscriber or a new reader, your interest and feedback are what drive us to continue producing a magazine that stands as a pillar of knowledge and insight in Las Vegas.
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Subpoena
LAW
“Justice is the sum of all moral duty.”
– William Godwin
Metro Attorney Argues for Bar Sanctions Against Public Defender Sarah Hawkins — and Loses
By Mark Fierro
There is a dance that defense attorneys have routinely been doing with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department when it comes to subpoenaing records: Criminal defense attorneys subpoena records, Metro sends a form in response that the defense bar calls a “go pound sand” letter. No go. Get lost.
Sounds like little more than a bookkeeping issue, but subpoena power is at the core of investigation for criminal defense attorneys. Though it is a dance that has been going on for at least 15 years, district court judges are divided on the soundness of Metro’s General Counsel’s interpretation of the law and practice of ignoring the
subpoenas. When Dominic Gentile of the law firm of Clark Hill heard of a State Bar disciplinary grievance filed against Clark County Public Defender Sarah Hawkins, he and the team at Clark Hill immediately took it on as a cause.
A point of disclosure: Our firm, Fierro Communications, has an ongoing working relationship with Gentile and Clark Hill.
Gentile knows a bit about bar complaints. In 1988 the chief justice of the Nevada Supreme Court lodged a complaint against Gentile when he defended his client
by responding to Metro allegations about his client in the media. Metro officials prevailed at the bar and again at the Nevada Supreme Court. Gentile and a group of top-tier Las Vegas attorneys took the case to the United States Supreme Court and won.
When the complaint was lodged against Public Defender Hawkins based upon her refusing to accept Metro’s behavior, Gentile and his colleagues, Tiffany Solari and Austin Barnum, put together a full court press in Sarah’s defense that included some of the most respected names in the legal community, top litigators, ethics experts and a former Nevada State Supreme Court justice. Between them they decided it was time to take a closer look. The outcome marks what could well be a turning point for the defense bar in Southern Nevada.
Said Solari, “It was a full-on war room. Clark Hill takes on high-level, complex, litigation cases – some involving disputes over millions and millions of dollars. Part of the Clark Hill culture includes commitment to pro bono –especially in the Las Vegas office. The preparation and work product that went into Sarah’s case was no different from the type of preparation and work that goes into these massive cases — after hours and weekends too. We prepped for Sarah’s three-day hearing just like we would for a full-blown trial.”
This is how the case played out: The Chief Public Defender for Clark County did the subpoena dance with Metro and got the “pound sand” letter when she demanded records for a homicide case she was defending on behalf of her client. What made her case a standout is that when she got the “pound sand” letter authored, but not signed by, Metro Assistant General Counsel Matthew Christian, she did not just stand her ground, she fired back. Hawkins sent a written response to Staci Fason, Communications Bureau Research Assistant, who signed the “pound sand” letter for Metro, advising her that if she was found in contempt of court for ignoring the subpoena, a $500 fine and 25 days in jail could result. She further advised
Fason that she either must file a motion to quash the subpoena or obey its command.
As you might have guessed, that did not sit well with the folks at Metro. The police did not turn over the requested information. What Hawkins received instead was a bar complaint based on a grievance letter it received from Metro’s Matthew Christian. The State Bar agreed with Metro and charged that Hawkins’ subpoena was not valid because it lacked prior court approval. The Bar went so far as to charge Hawkins with three counts: The first count was Meritorious Claims and Contentions; that is, that a lawyer shall not assert an issue unless there is a basis in law for doing so, characterizing her interpretation of the law as “frivolous.” The second count was Truthfulness in Statements to Others; that is, a lawyer shall not knowingly make a false statement of material fact to others, again based upon the subpoena being “frivolous.” Finally there was Respect for Rights of Third Persons, that Hawkins made a threat of fines and incarceration without legal basis.
Members of the Southern Nevada defense bar went shoulder to shoulder to form a scrum line of legal talent that included former Nevada State Supreme Court Justice Michael Cherry who brought the broadest context to the issue. Cherry began his career in the Clark County Public Defender’s office, later headed the Special Public Defender’s office that focused on homicide cases, went on to serve as a respected District Court Judge, before being elected to the Supreme Court, and was later named Chief Justice of the state’s high court.
In his testimony before the State Bar, Cherry recalled a time when the district attorney’s office and the police department was far less adversarial and there was a far greater free exchange of information. There was reciprocal discovery. Said Cherry, “…when I used to do a preliminary hearing, they used to hand the file to us, the DA’s office. They were very cooperative. We got along with them.” Cherry noted that precisely because
of that spirit of cooperation on investigation there were far fewer reversals on appeal. “We used to go with them (deputy district attorneys) to Metro to look at Metro files, because the reversals I’m talking about, if something’s in a Metro file, the DA’s responsible. As a result, I don’t remember many cases that involved reversal on the facts of discovery.”
At the bar hearing, Gentile asked Cherry a question that seemed to turn the tables on Metro attorney Christian’s complaint to the bar and that was regarding the propriety of Christian and Metro’s general counsel simply ignoring a subpoena. Gentile asked: Did Cherry know of any attorney in any situation ever advising their client to “ignore a subpoena, just ignore it?” Responded Cherry, “Not that I know of. I never saw that as a Supreme Court justice.”
Cherry summed up his feelings regarding the bar complaint brought against Sarah Hawkins saying, “You cant punish a public defender for trying to represent a murder client.”
It’s good to have friends. Gentile called noted attorney Dennis Kennedy to testify for Hawkins. Kennedy has been practicing law in Southern Nevada for 49 years. A cornerstone of that expertise is in the area of legal ethics. Kennedy was recruited by members of the Nevada State Supreme Court to serve on the disciplinary committee for the state bar. He later chaired that committee and was a member of the ethics and professional responsibility committee of the Supreme Court. Kennedy devoted decades making line calls in the area of legal ethics.
Said Kennedy of Hawkins’ actions and warnings of contempt of court proceedings, “It was not an improper method of trying to obtain evidence. It was a lawful, believed to be lawful and legitimate subpoena. And there was language then in a follow-up letter that said you can’t just blow off this subpoena. Life doesn’t work that way. And that’s clearly all the testimony that was here is that you make a motion to quash if you want to, don’t just write a letter back saying, ‘I deem this to be invalid,’ because that’s just going to lead to trouble and that what led to this dispute.”
Kennedy testified, “Her (Hawkins’) actions should be judged by the Sixth Amendment.” A lawyer’s conduct should be “…measured by the federal or state constitutional law that entitled the defendant to the assistance of counsel. You’ve got to make every argument, pursue every avenue, do everything that you possibly can do when dealing — when defending these people …”
Kennedy noted that if there was anything in any way unusual about this case it wasn’t the conduct of the public defender’s office, it was the conduct of Metro. Said Kennedy, “And there seems to be one outlier out there,
and that is Metro, which doesn’t deem these subpoenas to be valid. Other people or agencies comply with them, and those who have an issue with them file a motion to quash.”
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department declined to comment on the matter.
Based on Metro being the only agency taking that position regarding defense subpoenas, that district court judges disagree with one another as to Metro’s position, and the fact that no decision of the Supreme Court of Nevada has addressed it, Kennedy opined that public defender Hawkins had every reason to believe the subpoenas were valid and that therefore her actions could not be deemed frivolous.
Subpoenas are, after all, one of the cornerstones of the investigative process. Too broad or untimely, the remedy is to ask the court to quash, not ignore it. Testified Kennedy, “It’s what every decent lawyer would do is to say you can’t -- you can’t write me a letter saying ‘I’m not going to comply.’ You have to comply, here’s the penalty if you don’t … you can’t just kiss this off.”
Ultimately the case carried a two-edged sword for Metro: If the subpoenas were valid and they were ignored, there are penalties for simply tossing them, for advising Metro brass to simply ignore them. Kennedy quoted Nevada rules, saying, “‘Failure by any person without adequate excuse to obey a subpoena served upon that person may be deemed a contempt of the court’” that issued the subpoena.
Kennedy said it was his opinion “that she did not violate any of those rules.” Following a three-day hearing unlike just about any other in recent memory, the State Bar Disciplinary Panel unanimously agreed with him.
Bar counsel was pushing for a public reprimand for Clark County Public Defender Sarah Hawkins. She stood her ground and walked away with a clean record and a reputation for defending her client’s rights with everything she could. To quote Kennedy, “You’ve got to make every argument, pursue every avenue, do everything that you possibly can.”
Mark Fierro began his career as a reporter/anchor at KLASTV, the CBS television station in Las Vegas. He worked at the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. He served as communications consultant on IPO road shows on Wall Street. He provided litigation support for the Michael Jackson death trial. He is president of Fierro Communications, Inc., which conducts mock juries and focus groups in addition to public relations and marketing. Fierro is the author of several books including “Road Rage: The Senseless Murder of Tammy Meyers.” He has made numerous appearances on national TV news programs.
Vegas Icon: Tom Pitaro, Esq.
By Mark Fierro and Jeff Haney
Of all the attorneys who have practiced law in recent years in Las Vegas, a few, a tiny few, really just a handful, stand out.
Tom Pitaro is part of that upper echelon of stellar attorneys who take the job to a different level — those attorneys who gut it out six and seven days a week, not just when they are in trial, but just as a matter of course. Of all of the attorneys who have had a role in the highest profile, most important cases of our times, Pitaro is most likely to be named the lowest maintenance guy out of all of them.
Pitaro is the guy who shows up for the little man, for the union members who are out there busting their hump just trying to make a living. At the same time Pitaro has taken up the cause for some of the highest profile cases for clients with some of the deepest pockets in the history of Nevada.
He is also the only Nevada attorney that we know of who has a picture on his firm’s wall proclaiming him “the best criminal defense attorney in the state of Nevada” that was signed by every justice on a sitting Supreme Court of Nevada.
“I’ve never seen anything like that,” said Ozzie Fumo, senior partner with the Pitaro & Fumo law firm and Pitaro’s partner for more than a decade. “I’ve never seen a photograph like that in any other attorney’s office. It still hangs in our lobby today. That crew on the Nevada Supreme Court was probably the best Supreme Court we’ve had in a long time, and they just knew that when Tom Pitaro is bringing a case before the Supreme Court, you’re going to be in for a fight.”
Las Vegas criminal defense attorney Ryan Helmick of The Defense Firm recalls being deeply impressed while watching Pitaro conduct the cross examination of Yale Galanter, who represented O.J. Simpson in his Nevada robbery case, during the Simpson appeal process.
As the Associated Press reported at the time:
Tom Pitaro, a veteran Las Vegas trial attorney known for witheringly direct and insistent questioning, cross examined Galanter. Pitaro sparred verbally with Galanter over financial aspects of the case, including
fees paid to Gabe Grasso, a Nevada lawyer Galanter had brought in to assist.
During one objection, the judge invited Pitaro to tell where he was going with his questions.
“What Mr. Galanter has done is, this man has received over a half-million dollars and has put his interest, his financial interest, above the interest of his client,” Pitaro said.
“I’ll never forget seeing the way Tom controlled the witness, looking very comfortable as he walked around the courtroom, and just showing such strength as a cross examiner,” Helmick told Vegas Legal Magazine. “I guess what I mean by that is Tom can really put the pressure on you. He was cross examining the witness, the lawyer for O.J., and he was really pinning him down.”
Another prominent case for Pitaro involved Carroll Edward Cole, an admitted serial killer. Cole admitted to killing several women around the country and two here in Nevada. Pitaro entered the case as an amicus curiae and argued before the court that was reviewing Cole’s death penalty that, if they allowed the execution to go forward as planned, they would be sentencing Cole to death illegally: It was logical that Cole couldn’t be put to death twice and it was also logical that Cole was being executed for the first of the two Nevada killings. That first murder took place when there was no death penalty in Nevada.
According to CrimeLibrary.org: Pitaro protested Cole’s “attempt to commit legal suicide.” In fact, Pitaro argued, Cole had no right to determine his own punishment and thereby “undermine the integrity of the court.” For the good of society at large, Pitaro said, he should be granted leave to search for mitigating circumstances.
In the end Cole got his wish. I was a reporter for KLASTV when I witnessed Cole’s execution. But Pitaro had made his point: Nevadans deserved a justice system that took great care when imposing sentence in the name of the people of the state.
Ask Pitaro himself about his biggest cases, however, and he doesn’t hesitate to mention his extraordinary
run of success fighting on behalf of the Culinary Union dating back for decades.
“The best thing I ever did was getting involved in the Culinary Union cases,” Pitaro said. “It was a classic case of the little guys getting together and fighting the giant and coming out on top, just like when David slew Goliath. We just insisted on a trial in every case, and we won all the cases. We had faith in the fact that we were on the right side.”
Fumo recalled: “At one time Tom had 3,000 cases set for trial and he never lost a single trial with with the Culinary Union. After a while they just dropped the cases because that’s the kind of guy Tom is. He is like a bulldog. He will not let go. You know he’s going to be in there fighting to the bitter end.”
Beyond his remarkable track record in big cases, though, Pitaro’s colleagues in the Nevada legal arena seem to offer nearly universal praise for his willingness to serve as a mentor and a fount of knowledge for younger colleagues.
“When I first met Tom, I was kind of scared of him to be quite honest with you,” said Judge Danielle K. Pieper. “He was kind of this big, burly person who walks into the courtroom with authority. When you consider Tom’s outer exterior, you would think that he’s kind of gruff or mean, and that he can come off as a bully at times.
But what I found about Tom is that he is actually a very nurturing person, and he appreciates young people who come to the practice of law, and he appreciates the idea of mentoring them.”
Judge Pieper recalls, particularly upon reaching the district attorney’s office, spending countless hours speaking with Pitaro about legal issues as well as family and personal matters.
“I think it’s that mentoring aspect that his generation comes from, realizing that these people who come after him are going to be the people who uphold the reputation of the legal profession in the state of Nevada,” Judge Pieper said. “That’s what I admire about Tom. It’s that he takes the time to work with young lawyers whether they’re on the prosecution or the defense side. In that way, I got to see the soft, sweeter side of Tom — and Tom never wants that to get out. But everybody who knows him well knows that’s how he is.”
Judge Joseph S. Sciscento, who has been friends with Pitaro for three decades, refers to meetings with Pitaro as “the black hole” because of Pitaro’s propensity to offer unexpectedly deep, richly detailed and even labyrinthine answers to questions that may look simple on the surface.
“Let’s say you go into Tom’s office to ask him a question
about a search and seizure issue,” Judge Sciscento said. “He will, off the top of his head, tell you about the existing case law, and the new case law, and how it developed, and how it got there. And you’ll go, ‘OK, thank you, I’ve got it.’ But then Tom will always go further and further, and deeper and deeper, and keep telling you more about related cases and other things that you need to look into.
“He’s so willing to give that information, and he’s so smart about it. Tom takes the time to explain it in a way you can understand it, and he’s genuinely interested in helping you in any way he can.” Judge Sciscento added: “Tom is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever want to meet, but he is also a bulldog, and you never want to cross him. He believes in his cause and he believes in what he’s doing. And he’s also a big Red Sox fan, which is why we’ve been such good friends.”
Helmick, of The Defense Firm, says that spending time with Pitaro and other veteran attorneys such as Fumo and the late Bill Terry was pivotal in his career development.
“I’m sitting down with these giants of the law as this young man, and I was just acting like a sponge, soaking it all in,” Helmick said. “Those guys were fascinating to listen to. Tom has such a good memory and he knows cases and the law so very well. Number one was always their work ethic. It made me work as hard as I possibly could, to hit every single aspect of every case, and just to be inspired by those guys.”
Likewise, Fumo says Pitaro played a pivotal role in his legal career.
“Around 2010 Tom came up to me and said he was thinking about retiring. He didn’t like the business aspect of it, he just wanted to practice law,” Fumo said. “He said if I wanted to partner up, he would stay in practice. I told him, ‘We can’t possibly lose you.’ I was blown away that he asked me. But he said, ‘You’re a fighter, and I like that. I see the fight in you every day. And you’re somebody I would like to end my career with.’ I broke down and cried.”
At age 80, according to Fumo, Pitaro, a graduate of UCLA School of Law, still puts in full workdays including weekends on a regular basis.
“That’s the kind of guy he is,” Fumo said, “especially if he’s got a trial, then it’s all hands on deck. We’re all focused on that trial and what Tom is doing, and it’s
always a real honor to be working with him.”
In his counsel with young attorneys, Pitaro said, he stresses that it’s vital to maintain a commitment and a dedication to the law.
“If you look at the legal profession and all you see is dollar signs, it’s the wrong way to approach the law, I think,” Pitaro said. “And unfortunately, when you look at it now, the law is under such stress. I fear for the law, when the highest court in the land is fighting these allegations of petty corruption. I never expected that.
“When you see the things that are being said now by politicians, it shows you, quite truthfully, that this country was based upon an ideal. It wasn’t really based upon the law. It was based on everyone saying that this was the best way to do it. But once you cross that Rubicon, everyone can cross the Rubicon, and that’s really what’s happened.
“I always admired the law. I am a bit of a street fighter, but I always respected the majesty and the dignity of the law.”
Asked how he would like to be remembered, Pitaro was succinct.
“Professionally, just that I tried to do my job, to see that justice was arrived at as best I could,” Pitaro said. “That I would fight for what I believe in.”
Mark Fierro began his career as a reporter/anchor at KLAS-TV, the CBS television station in Las Vegas. He worked at the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. He served as communications consultant on IPO road shows on Wall Street. He provided litigation support for the Michael Jackson death trial. He is president of Fierro Communications, Inc., which conducts mock juries and focus groups in addition to public relations and marketing. Fierro is the author of several books including “Road Rage: The Senseless Murder of Tammy Meyers.” He has made numerous appearances on national TV news programs.
Jeff Haney serves as Executive Vice President of Operations for Fierro Communications, where he works on developing and directing all media, marketing, research, consulting and public relations strategies for Fierro Communications’ clients including those in business, government, the legal field and cuttingedge high technology.
Driving Legislative Innovation: Senator Dallas Harris and the Future of Nevada’s Cannabis Market
By: Josh Kasoff
Asa state that’s had recreational access to cannabis for over half a decade yet is still continuously facing internal yet widespread industry issues, Nevada is a prime example of the current common state of affairs for many statewide cannabis industries. While millions in cannabis products are being sold annually throughout the states with legal cannabis and Nevada itself has quite the economic boost from the vibrant tourism industry of the state, certain states have had their sales drop considerably and the Silver State is no exception. Our gargantuan neighbor to the West, California’s total retail cannabis sales dropped a total of eight percent from 2021 to 2022 and an additional 4.7 percent in 2023 when compared to the previous year. From FY 2022 to FY 2023, the Nevada cannabis industry experienced a staggering $115 million deficit in total retail cannabis sales, approximately a total of twelve percent.
The projections of total sales in Nevada in FY 2024
thus far don’t show much of an improvement either, with there being a substantial $18 million deficit in sales during December of 2023 compared to December of 2022 alone. The only recorded month of 2024 sales so far saw a deficit of nearly $8 million when compared to January 2023 and the second half of 2023 each saw large deficits in comparison to those months during the previous fiscal year. Companies are making entire professional exoduses from states due to declining sales and the Nevada industry needed more opportunities to recover from these ongoing deficits.
And so the Nevada cannabis industry professionals worked in tandem with their supportive legislators, first passing Assembly Bill 341 during the 2021 Legislative Session which authorized the implementation and operation of cannabis consumption lounges in Nevada as well as the Nevada cannabis industry’s first implementation
of social equity policies. While the lounges are just now beginning to open even though the legislation itself was passed nearly three years ago, the hope with the bill is that the legislation will provide the Nevada cannabis industry with a new sub-industry for revenue and economic opportunities while also curtailing the public consumption of cannabis that’s become widespread especially on the Las Vegas Strip.
The Nevada cannabis industry received another colossal upgrade to the financial potential and employment opportunities within this struggling industry during the 2023 Legislative Session, when the omnibus-like Senate Bill 277 passed not only in multiple crucial Senate and Assembly committees but also in both houses of the Nevada Legislature, receiving a constitutional majority in the Assembly and a 2/3 vote in the Senate. This historic bill not only more than doubled the daily purchasing limits for Nevada cannabis customers from one ounce for flower to 2.5 ounces of flower and fourteen grams of concentrate from seven grams previously, but also opened the doors to aspiring cannabis professionals
who’d previously been excluded from employment due to certain excluding felony offenses.
Furthermore, the bill limits the Cannabis Compliance Board’s power in giving out fines, fees and other punitive measures and authorizes the Cannabis Advisory Commission to “conduct a study concerning the potential effects of the removal of cannabis from the list of controlled substances included in schedule I pursuant to the federal Controlled Substances Act or the state Uniform Controlled Substances Act on the cannabis industry in this State.”
This encompassing cannabis bill, which itself was signed by former Clark County Sheriff and nowGovernor Joe Lombardo, is undoubtedly quite expansive for the currently troubled Nevada industry and the operation of the CCB, and luckily for the fate of the bill which seemed uncertain at times, Senate Bill 277 had a steadfast and passionate sponsor behind it, one who worked directly with Nevada cannabis professionals and advocates in crafting this groundbreaking legislation.
“I was inspired to become a lawyer because I wanted to develop the advocacy skills necessary to make positive changes in society.” explained Nevada State Senator and attorney Dallas Harris.
A lifelong local of Las Vegas who attended multiple schools across the Las Vegas Valley, Harris received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2008 and a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science the following year. Harris then relocated to Southern California to attend the Claremont Graduate University, where she obtained a Master’s degree in Public Policy. From there, Harris headed to our great nation’s glorious capital and attended the prestigious law program at George Washington University.
“This desire to effect change through the legal system led me to The George Washington University Law School, where I focused on mastering the legal frameworks and skills needed to advocate effectively for those in need.”
After graduating in 2015, Harris has stayed incredibly involved in public policy organizations such as the DC-based non-profit Public Knowledge and has served in her professional life as an Administrative Attorney for the Public Utilities Commission as well as a Consumer Rights Attorney in the Adult Guardianship Project at the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. Since November of 2020, Harris has been serving as Of Counsel for the Portland-
based law firm Davison Van Cleve, P.C., a law firm specializing in energy and business law.
“What keeps me interested in administrative law is its interdisciplinary nature and the continuous learning it offers.”
Harris took quite a leap of faith in the leadup to the 2018 midterm elections, when the attorney was appointed to the State Senate seat for District 11 in Las Vegas after the then-incumbent State Senator Aaron Ford was elected Attorney General of Nevada.
“After some thoughtful discussions with a mentor and strong encouragement from my family and friends, I pursued the appointment. My proudest accomplishment so far is providing representation in a sense that others who look like me can see themselves in positions of power. It’s incredibly fulfilling to serve as a role model, showing that these roles are accessible and that diverse voices are essential in shaping our policies and community.”
Harris has been openly supportive of the Nevada cannabis industry and further reforms throughout her Legislative career, voting in favor of such progressive cannabis legislation as the aforementioned AB 341 as well as the lesser known Senate Bill 49, which prohibited the sale and production of synthetic cannabinoids in Nevada and received a near unanimous vote in both chambers.
“I sponsored SB 277 because I recognized the need for updated regulations that keep pace with the advancements and growth of the Nevada cannabis industry. Recognizing that the industry is rapidly changing, it is crucial that our laws and regulations
adapt accordingly. SB 277 seeks to update these frameworks to better support business operations, ensuring ongoing economic benefits while maintaining safety and compliance standards.”
Although it’ll be a few more weeks until the Department of Taxation releases the total figures of retail cannabis sales and subsequent tax revenue in the first few months of 2024 to determine how successful the Nevada cannabis industry has performed following the passage of Senate Bill 277, Harris assures that industry professionals have touted the already successful nature of the bill.
“The feedback from industry stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive, affirming that the bill has been effective in fostering a healthier, more robust industry.”
As for the future of her career in the Legislature, Harris possesses a passion for equally expansive and community-driven initiatives for the future of both District 11 and Nevada as a whole.
“In the Legislature, my primary focus will remain on advancing policies that make a meaningful impact on our community. I am particularly committed to pushing for criminal justice reform, improving healthcare access, and fostering economic development. Each of these areas is crucial for building a more equitable and prosperous society. Regarding my career in law, I am a proponent of the Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) movement. My goal is to work towards a position where I can comfortably retire early, having secured financial independence through prudent planning and dedicated saving.”
How The Uber-Backed Ballot Measure “Nevadans For Fair Recovery” Will Harm Victims Of Negligence
By: Jim La Forte
In the high-flying world of tech startups, being a disruptor is king. And like a king, they often get to make their own rules.
A disruptor in the tech startup world is a company that combines a new technology with a new business model. The result is a company that disrupts and completely upends existing markets. Sometimes even disrupting existing rules and regulations meant to keep consumers and employees safe.
Often, these disruptive business models operate in a legal and regulatory gray area as they chase meteoric growth at all costs.
The ubiquitous ride-sharing company Uber was a perfect example of this new venture capital-fueled disruptor phenomenon, and it has now become the model for many disruptive startups that have followed.
When Uber first launched in 2009, it essentially operated as an unlicensed taxi service. Due to the decentralized nature of the app, which connected customers directly with drivers, government agencies found it difficult to regulate and control.
Uber capitalized on this slow start by regulators to grow as fast as possible while disregarding most
statutes that existing taxi services were forced to operate under.
The plan worked. By 2015, Uber had become the most valuable startup in the world. With that success came billions of dollars. Billions that could be used to pay lobbyists to help them rewrite regulations in their favor.
Today, Uber has focused its lobbying efforts on Nevada with the hopes of capping attorney’s fees in civil cases. A move that could harm those who have suffered damages and drastically change the legal landscape in the Silver State.
What Makes Uber’s Lobbying Efforts Different
It’s not unusual for companies to spend money lobbying. Companies have rights and they are free to have their voice heard during the legislative process.
What makes Uber’s lobbying efforts unique is that their efforts stem from an original business model that deliberately skirted existing regulations and then slowly used the success gained by that behavior to rewrite new regulations in their favor.
In a trove of internal Uber documents leaked to The Guardian, executives stated in messages that “we’re just [explitive] illegal” when discussing their business model with each other.
When taxi drivers in Europe started to push back against Uber’s intrusive entry into the market and heavy-handed lobbying efforts, then-CEO Travis Kalanick messaged his executives, urging them to promote counter-protests among their Uber drivers.
In one message, Kalanick wrote “violence guarantee[s] success” when asked about the possible blowback or risk from creating counter-protests in such a heated environment.
This no-holds-barred management approach was showing success. By 2015, Uber had created a virtually unprecedented $90 million lobbying network that included direct access to world leaders like Emmanuel Macron, powerful media moguls, and oligarchs in emerging markets.
Although Kalanick has since left the company and Uber has stated that many of those earlier leaked communications were “missteps”, Uber’s heavyhanded lobbying efforts have not slowed down.
Uber Lobbyists Set Their Sights On Nevada
In early 2024, The political action committee (PAC) known as Nevadans For Fair Recovery introduced a ballot measure of the same name.
The PAC, which is backed by Uber, has stated the goal of the ballot measure is to cap attorney’s fees to 20% of settlements and awards in civil cases.
According to the Nevadans For Fair Recovery website, the purpose of capping attorney’s fees is so that a larger portion of settlements and awards go to the plaintiff in the case.
However, given Uber’s history of lobbying efforts, critics have argued the true goal is to disincentivize civil action when individuals have suffered damage due to a company’s negligence or wrongdoing.
By capping damages, personal injury lawyers may not be able to deploy the full resources needed to properly argue a case against companies like Uber. The result is that plaintiffs would be forced to take lower settlement offers since proceeding with the case may simply be too expensive with a 20% cap on attorney’s fees.
This means lower total costs and legal expenses for companies like Uber.
Uber lobbyist Harry Harfield pushed back against this criticism and has stated that the goal of the ballot measure is to “put victims first”.
However, Harfield didn’t clarify how limiting a victim’s access to legal resources during a civil trial offers them any protection, which is exactly what this ballot measure would do.
This measure creates an obvious asymmetry where large corporations can deploy virtually unlimited legal resources, yet victims and their lawyers must wrestle with a hard cap on attorney’s fees.
As it stands, proponents of the ballot measure are busy collecting the necessary number of voter signatures required before the November 20 deadline.
The measure would then be sent to the legislature where they can approve or reject the measure. If approved, it moves to the Governor’s office for signing. If rejected, it will be moved to the ballot during Nevada’s next general election.
Uber’s Mounting Legal Trouble
It doesn’t take much digging to understand why Uber would find it beneficial to disincentivize civil action against them.
Currently, Uber is facing a flurry of lawsuits related to its service and whether or not the company is doing enough to protect passengers and drivers.
Between 2017 and 2020, there were nearly 10,000 reports of sexual assault that occurred during Uber trips. 40% of these cases involved sexual assaults committed against Uber drivers. In 2023, two groups of lawsuits were separately consolidated in
California, where some legal experts believe these cases could be a bellwether moment for Uber.
Uber Looks To Continue Its Lobbying Success In Nevada
While Uber lobbyists claim their ultimate goal is to protect victims, the company’s documented behavior dating back to 2015 suggests otherwise.
But despite that, it can’t be denied that Uber’s past lobbying efforts have been highly successful. Uber was founded on the premise that it would disrupt an entire industry, and it made good on that effort and became a model for many disruptive companies that followed.
Now, Uber is looking to disrupt the legal landscape in Nevada that was originally designed to help victims who have suffered damages.
If their lobbying efforts are successful again, it could place victims of negligence at a severe disadvantage when faced with the enormous legal resources of billion-dollar companies like Uber.
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Kamala Harris Challenges Donald Trump – and Nevada May Decide the Next President
By: Valerie Miller
The2024 election has been a race like no other. First there were the president’s stunning debate freezeups, then came the nationally-televised assassination attempt on his rival -- the former president. But before America could even finish collectively gasping, a whole new candidate was inserted into the race. And the summer wasn’t even over yet.
Forget waiting for the famous “October surprise.” The jolts are coming week by week. Both unpredictable and unbelievable, this wild race could very well be decided in Nevada.
But, looking back on the beginning of the year, which seems like a lifetime ago now -- all sides were gearing up for a rematch between current Democratic President Joe Biden and the Republican former President Donald J. Trump. After four years out of the White House, Trump handily wiped the floor with his primary challengers –without even debating them.
On the Democratic side, Biden faced no serious opposition in the primary. Democratic candidates were seemingly discouraged from challenging the sitting
president. Democrat Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said he was so upset by the lack of any Democratic primary debates, and lack of party support, that he turned independent.
Everything’s changed now. The June 27th presidential debate between Trump and Biden showed the nation that Biden was frail, and he appeared confused. He often froze up and lost his train of thought while answering questions. Biden may have looked even worse than he sounded. Appearing very pale, he often stared off into the distance.
Debate Disaster, an Assassination Attempt, and Tons of Money
Cries arose from Democrats – and their media surrogates – to replace President Biden on the ticket following his disastrous debate. In the midst of the bid to push Biden out, the seemingly unthinkable happened: Former President Trump was shot on live TV. On July 13th, Trump was hit with a bullet in his right ear during an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pa. The would-be assassin’s bullet had missed killing Trump by only a fraction of an inch. One rally goer was killed, while two others were
critically injured. Astoundingly, a bloodied Trump rose up, surrounded by Secret Service, and defiantly put his fist in the air saying, “Fight! Fight! Fight!.”
That now-iconic image was followed by a bandagedTrump appearing at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee only a few days later where the former president would pick Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate. And, when the RNC convention concluded on July 18th, the race appeared to be over. Biden was already sequestered in Delaware, after reportedly testing positive for Covid while campaigning in Las Vegas.
But as one race ended, another one was about to begin. After insisting he would stay in the presidential contest, Biden suddenly dropped out of the race on July 20th. He would throw his support behind his vice president, Kamala Harris.
A former senator and prosecutor from San Franscisco, Harris was the only logical choice at that late date. While some questioned her strength as a candidate, as the vice president she was the only candidate with a legitimate legal claim on the Biden war chest of campaign donations. In addition, another $81 million in donations flowed in during the first 24 hours after Biden’s withdrawal announcement. Much of the money was waiting on the sidelines while Biden was hanging on, but as soon as news broke of Biden’s withdrawal, money flooded into Harris’ campaign. Harris’ people claimed she raised $200 million in the first week after her entry into the race.
For contrast, Trump’s campaign announced it had taken in $138 million in donations in July. That month included the failed attempt on Trump’s life and his nomination at the RNC convention. Entering August, the Trump campaign war chest totaled $327 million while the Harris war chest totaled a whopping $377 million, a record amount for any presidential candidate at this point in the cycle.
The Road to the White House goes through Nevada
The 2024 presidential race is off to a heated start between former President Donald Trump and sitting Vice President Kamala Harris, but Nevada voters are trying to process the change.
Trump was comfortably ahead of Biden in Nevada, in spite of felony convictions in May, which Trump and his supporters called “a rigged trial” and “a political prosecution.” The former president also maintained a small lead over Harris in the Silver State, during the first few weeks of her campaign. Nationally, some polls show the race as a dead heat with the Democratic swap in of Harris. The polls for the battleground states – most of
which Trump had been leading Biden in – tightened with the arrival of Harris.
Vice President Harris has hit the campaign trail with tremendous energy, and she will need much of that energy to carry her in Nevada if she expects to be victorious over Trump. Nevada, a key swing state in the possible paths to victory, is unique in that nonpartisan registered voters outnumber both registered Democrats and Republicans. The excitement from Harris entering the race could prove beneficial if she is able to use it to engage more Nevadans to vote.
Republicans, however, are trying to assure nervous supporters that the “Harris bump” in the polls is simply a part of the expected “Harris honeymoon” period, following her sudden swap with Biden.
Democrats on the other hand just concluded their National Convention in Chicago on August 22, and look to ride their new theme of “joy” through the Silver State. Nevada Democratic Party Press Secretary Nicholas Simões Machado likes the Dems’ ground game in the state.
“Our party looks like Nevada, is from Nevada and knows Nevada. Democrats do the work to reach all voters, whether urban, rural, Black, white, Latino, AAPI, indigenous, young, or young at heart,” he says. “Democrats just concluded a 17-county statewide rural tour, touting our Democratic accomplishments and expanding on the momentum created by Kamala Harris. Our ground game is second-to-none: It’s what we’re known for.”
Vice President Harris made Nevada the first battleground state she visited this year, Machado notes. “The road to the White House goes through the Western Wall, and our state’s diverse, working-class electorate is already contributing to a greater swing from Biden to Harris among battleground states.”
GOP Prepares for a Battle in Nevada
The Nevada Clark County Republican Party is not taking any chances with the entrance of Kamala Harris in the race against Trump. Devin Livziey, vice chairman of the party is warning against complacency.
“The only way to run a race is either like you are unopposed, or like you are 20 points down,” he says. Low voter turnout in the Republican primary is concerning, he admits. The Nevada GOP held its own Republican Presidential Caucus.
Livziey points to the economy and immigration as the top issues on the ballot for Nevada. These are issues that Trump leads by a lot on in polls. He also points to the switcheroo of Harris for Biden. While polls say the move is popular, Livziey is not so convinced.
“If I was a Democrat, I would feel like, I went to primary. I voted for Biden. And now, my vote doesn’t count,” he says. “It’s like, this is what you get.’”
“The importance for Nevada now will be for the Republicans to expose Harris as an open-border, farleft liberal from California,” Livziey relates. He points to Harris’ record in charge of the border, where around 10 million -- or more -- migrants may have flooded through the border during the Biden-Harris administration, according to some estimates.
Livziey feels Trump can win by sticking to the issues. Nevada, being landlocked, has all its food and goods shipped in. Those prices have skyrocketed due to inflation and high gas prices. “People miss the Trump economy,” he adds.
Nevada also has a unique issue in that more than 80 percent of the land in the state is owned by the federal government. Livziey points to that as important, as Nevada needs more land to help with the housing crisis in the state.
Trump has vowed work with Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo to help get more of that land returned to the Silver State for affordable housing. Trump made those comments during an August 14th economic speech in North Carolina. The former president endorsed Lombardo during the Republican primary in 2022, and Trump has often publicly praised Lombardo.
So, who will win Nevada? Predictions are not something Livziey wants to make. Instead, he wants to focus on getting out the vote. Trump has said his campaign is a movement, not just a political campaign. The former president has warned that the country cannot survive four more years of the “radical liberal” Biden-Harris (now-Harris-Walz) agenda, often saying, “We won’t have a country left.”
Outside events have also already shaped the presidential race in ways that could not have been foreseen.
And, as big-tech giants like Google have already been called out for trying to censor information about the attempt on Trump’s life, Livziey says the American people won’t forget.
“Trump’s reaction to the assassination attempt will inspire people to support him in Nevada,” Livziey predicts. “To go out there, after being shot, appeal for unity, and go to the convention – that shows a level of integrity that we need in a leader.”
While the fundamentals of the presidential race are still based on fixing the economy and stopping the surge of millions of migrants over the southern border, Livziey says the attempted assassination of Trump – and his courageous reaction to it – will have an impact with voters.
“Everybody always thought of (Trump) as a strong individual, anyway,” he says. “But at (Trump) rallies before, you would hear ‘Trump! Trump! Trump!’ Now, everybody is chanting, ‘Fight! Fight! Fight!’ So, I do believe that it moved the needle a little bit because he did say, ‘Throw whatever you’ve got at me and I’m still going to come back fighting.’ And, it gives people more of an inspirational feeling than anything else.”
As for the “prosecutor” versus “felon” narrative from the Harris campaign, Livziey isn’t worried. He points to the fact that all the legal cases filed against Trump came after he was elected president in 2016. Livziey believes the cases are politically motivated. Trump was convicted
in May in New York of numerous formerly-time-barred charges. The complicated case involved how paperwork had been filled out for – and the reporting of -- a payment in a non-disclosure agreement. Trump’s lawyers are appealing the verdict.
The Clark County GOP vice chairman says he has faith in Nevada voters to discern the truth in the midst of a proKamala Harris media blitz.
“Nevada has a big independent streak. Nevadans are independent thinkers,” Livziey says. “Nevada voters are savvier.”
More of a focus will be on getting out the vote, and learning to play by Democratic rules of early voting and legal ballot harvesting, Livziey says “Trump doesn’t have to win Clark County to win Nevada. But he has to come close (in Clark County).”
Washoe County GOP Chairman Bruce Parks is confident in a Trump election victory, and hopes he can turn Nevada red again: “I know Donld Trump will be the next president.”
While Parks ideally wants Election Day voting and voter ID, he says you have to “play by the rules of the game.” That means early voting, legal ballot harvesting – and a team of poll watchers.
A Southern Border in Crisis
The southern border is a mess, by all accounts, at this point. And, Kamala Harris “can’t outrun her record of failure on the border,” Parks maintains. He notes that the
media had long referred to Vice President Harris as the “border czar” after President Biden put her in charge of finding the “root causes” of the mass illegal migration. But now, much of the media -- and the Harris campaign -maintain that she was never the “border czar,” he adds.
“Mainstream media claimed she was (the “border czar”) and then backpedaled, and now claims she is not,” Parks says. “As ‘border czar,’ she did nothing to stem the tide of illegals into our country.”
Nevada State Democratic Party Press Secretary Nicholas Simões Machado defends Kamala Harris’ –and Joe Biden’s -- record on the border. “The BidenHarris administration has proposed a path forward on immigration, yet Republicans continue to obstruct on behalf of Donald Trump,” he maintains. “Only the HarrisWalz ticket stands for progress on both border security and bipartisan immigration reform consistent with Nevada values.”
Machado points to a recent failed border bill:
“Earlier this year, the Biden-Harris administration worked across the aisle to broker a border security bill that would have provided resources for more than 1,500 additional U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel,” Machado says of the failed legislation. “(This would have added)
more than 1,200 additional Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, more than 4,300 additional asylum officers, and 100 additional immigration judges.” Republicans shot down the bill claiming that it would only normalize the flood of millions of immigrants over the border, instead of shutting down the problem. Machado believes Trump blocked a good bill merely for political theater, “Donald Trump forced Republicans to abandon the deal so that he could use people’s lives as a campaign issue. While Trump demonizes immigrants and says that they are “poisoning the blood” of our country, he is also promising to end birthright citizenship, separate families, and impose Project 2025’s extreme agenda of inhumane mass deportations.”
Republicans claim Biden, as the president, could have used executive action on the border at any time, and did not need new laws to fix the problem. It should be noted however, that the right to request asylum is embedded in our country’s immigration laws and therefore shutting down the border isn’t as simple as Republicans suggest. Trump himself still had issues with millions of migrants crossing our southern border during his term in office. Furthermore, according to a report from the Cato Institute comparing the Trump and Biden administrations, although the Biden administration has encountered more migrants overall at the southern border, the president
has expelled a slightly higher percentage than Trump did during his time in office.
Trump now promises a mass deportation of the millions who have flooded the border during the Biden-Harris administration. But some Republicans are nervous about the deportation plan, according to a recent Associated Press story. The concern is mostly that such a deportation proposal could depress Hispanic voter support for Trump. The former president has made tremendous inroads with the Latino community, which is also so vital to winning Nevada.
Parks is less concerned about Hispanic voter backlash, and says the deportation plan is supported by many Hispanics who came to America the legal way. “I have several friends that went through the process to become citizens of this country, and they are the strongest supporters of deportation,” he explains. “Illegal aliens are a burden on the taxpayers and our resources. Furthermore, anyone that hires illegals -- and pays them less than the prevailing wages -- belongs in prison.”
The GOP in Nevada has “an ongoing program to work with the Hispanic voters and have been doing events targeted to that demographic,” Parks adds. “We have several pieces of campaign material printed
in both Spanish and English -- one of which points out the difference in principles and philosophy between Democrats and Republicans.”
As we near election day we can expect the Harris campaign to expand on her plans for pathways to citizenship and securing the border while Trump stands firm for immediate mass deportation and even the elimination of birth right citizenship. One thing is for sure– our next president will have a lot of work ahead of them trying to sort out the complex issues we face at the southern border.
Identity Politics and Race in the Presidential Race
The new Democratic Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris is a woman of color, which is historic. Harris’ father is Black and from Jamaica, and her mother is of Indian heritage. Trump, who accepted an invitation from a Black journalists conference in Chicago on July 31st, was grilled by a journalist on the panel about what role Harris’ race played in her selection as Biden’s vice president in 2020. When Trump responded by questioning just when Harris started identifying as “Black” as opposed to “Indian,” his comments sparked Democratic and media outrage. “I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to
be known as Black. So, I don’t know, is she Indian or is she Black?,” Trump stated.
Trump’s running-mate JD Vance -- when pressed for support for Trump’s comments -- told reporters, “[Harris] pretends to be somebody different, depending on the audience she’s talking to.” The fallout from these comments among the general public is yet to be determined, but Las Vegas historian and professor Michael Green expects it will hurt Trump with some voters.
“Kamala Harris has upended the presidential race. She has given great energy to Democrats while the Republican reaction to her has been a sight to behold,” Green says. “Since Biden backed Harris, Donald Trump has now attacked her ancestry and skin color, and Republicans have questioned whether she actually is eligible to run for president because her parents were immigrants -- shades of the racist birther campaign against (then-President) Barack Obama.”
Green also called Vance “a laughingstock,” mostly as a reference to his years-old comments about single, childless women who own cats. Vance has countered criticism by saying that the American public is more interested in fixing issues such as inflation that affect their everyday lives.
The Fight for Control Over the Economy
Inflation and the future of the economy has been a hot topic. In an August 12th conversation with X owner Elon Musk, which was live streamed on the social media platform X Spaces to more than a million people, Trump vowed to “end inflation quickly”. “Inflation will eat you alive,” Trump told Musk, in the conversation, which was listened to millions of times since its original airing. X used to be known as “Twitter.” Trump in his economic messaging has suggested an end to taxes on Social Security benefits, extending his 2017 tax cuts and even hiking tariffs on imported goods.
Harris, meanwhile, has since unveiled an economic agenda she says will ease inflation, fix the housing market and reduce taxes on middle class families. Some of her proposals include a ban on grocery-price gouging, increasing the child tax credit, tax incentives to homebuilders to encourage more supply, and even a $25,000 subsidy to first-time homebuyers. Harris, during her economic message in North Carolina, claimed Trump’s would put a 20 percent tax on imports, and will thus raise prices for a typical American family by $3,900 a year. Trump meanwhile has claimed Harris is just intent on “communist price controls.”
Trump was not the only one criticizing Harris for the idea to “propose price controls.” The Washington Post recently chastised Harris saying: “When your opponent calls you
‘communist,’ maybe don’t propose price controls?”
A report from Moody’s, however, claims Trump’s proposed tariff on imported goods would in fact cost the U.S. economy 675,000 jobs, wipe out 0.6 percentage points from U.S. GDP and increase unemployment.
Washoe County GOP Chair Bruce Parks says Trump is planning to cut taxes, not raise them. He contends that Trump’s tariffs’ plan is being distorted by opponents and the media:
“I guess some people just don’t understand basic economics,” Parks says. “Increasing tariffs will bring manufacturing back to America, thereby creating more jobs and increasing our own GDP. You know, just like Trump did when he was President!”
Job loss is again front and center after an alarming revised jobs’ report came out during the week of the DNC convention. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revised previously-reported numbers downward by a whopping 818,000 jobs, over the period from April 2023 through March 2024. This was under the Biden-Harris administration. It was the biggest revision since 2009, and essentially meant that nearly a million jobs-- which the Biden Harris administration had been given credit for creating -- had essentially vanished. Trump has accused the Biden-Harris administration of “manipulating” the jobs’ numbers. Regardless, the massive job-loss numbers’ report has again stoked recession fears.
At the same time, service industry workers are a coveted voting bloc in Nevada. While in Las Vegas for a Culinary Union rally on August 10th, Harris also copied Trump’s “no tax on tips” idea, which the former president first introduced at a June 9th rally at Sunset Park in Las Vegas. Trump held a “no tax on tips” event at a restaurant in Las Vegas on August 23rd., which marked his first trip back to Las Vegas after surviving the assassination attempt in July.
With inflation on the top of the minds of independent voters, more messaging is coming out from both candidates on how they will differ on handling our economy.
Harris has also proposed an increase in the corporate tax rate from the current 21 percent to 28 percent. The rate has been at 21 percent since the Trump administration, when he cut taxes. However, hiking the corporate tax is generally popular with liberal and progressive Democrats. Some economists, however, have sounded the alarm that a corporate tax hike could send companies overseas and result in more job losses.
The Street also raised concerns about a Harris proposal to institute a 25 percent tax on “unrealized gains” or unrealized wealth. The Street story, “Kamala Harris
Unrealized Gains Tax Should Worry Voters,” did concede that the 25 percent tax on unrealized capital gains is aimed at the “ultra-wealthy.” Nevertheless, The Street maintained “the concept is worrisome.” Such “unrealized gains” could be the value one’s stock accumulates before selling it. “The taxing of unrealized gains, no matter what the level of wealth, will drive assets, jobs and companies away from the United States,” according to The Street.
Harris Gains Ground in Nevada
The Culinary Union in Nevada gave Harris a warm reception in Las Vegas on August 10th – as a presidential candidate. With the union’s endorsement, Nevada is shaping up to be a battle as Harris is emerging as a much-more formidable opponent than Joe Biden was in the 2024 race. The Culinary Union has a massive voter turn-out machine.
While a few polls have showed Harris pulling ahead slightly in Nevada, Parks says he is not buying it: “The ‘Kamala mania’ is a false narrative being perpetrated on the Democrats, and the rest of America, by the mainstream media. Prior to July of this year, she was the single-most unpopular vice-president we have ever had,” he says. “What changed? She did not! She is still the same wishy-washy uninformed person she has always been. She flip flops like a fish.”
Republicans like Parks say that Harris’ promised “day one” agenda didn’t make sense, as she has already been part of the current Biden-Harris administration for more than 1,300-plus days. They also criticized DNC convention speakers for acting like Trump was still in office, although the former president left the White House in January 2021.
And, like Trump’s VP pick Vance, Harris’ vice-presidential pick has also been targeted for blistering criticism. Democratic VP choice Tim Walz has come under fierce scrutiny for both his political and military records. The Minnesota governor is being accused of “stolen valor” by members of his old National Guard unit. Walz, however, is popular with progressive Democrats.
Democrats believe Trump’s extreme agenda will alienate voters and bring more voters to their side. As Machado puts it, “Republicans have a history of alienating nonpartisans because of their extreme agenda, such as advocating for a total abortion ban and supporting policies aimed at gutting Medicare and Social Security. Democrats up and down the ballot have delivered for working families, delivering good-paying jobs, building roads, bridges, and critical water infrastructure, as well as protecting Social Security and Medicare.”
Exactly what breaks through to the still-undecided voters is unclear. Nevada independent voters are coveted in the swing state. It’s the most precious segment of all voters in the Silver State. With RFK, Jr. now joining forces with team Trump, the former president could have a slight edge with independents.
“The Washoe County Republican Party is concentrating a great deal of effort in courting the independent and nonpartisan voters, most of which are conservatives,” Parks promises. “Most (of whom) have become disenchanted with the two major parties.”
Political Violence and the Battle for Nevada
“It’s a dangerous time to be president,” former President Donald Trump told rally goers in Montana on August 9th. That certainly was not an exaggeration.
Las Vegas political commentator Alan Stock lived through the turbulence of the 1960s and early 1970s. The attempted assassination of former President Trump reminded him of those dangerous times. He hopes there won’t be another attempt on Trump’s life, as a Secret Service whistleblower recently predicted there would be. Stock, who is supporting Trump, says with the alleged 20-year-old would-be assassin dead, everything that happened on July 13th in Butler, Pa. will likely never be revealed.
“I don’t think we will ever know. We never really got all the answers about John F. Kennedy’s assassination, either,” he says. “I hope the Secret Service can protect Trump.”
Bruce Parks, the Washoe County GOP Chair, says he has “feared for (Trump’s) life for a long time,” adding. “I have had dinner with him. He is a good man. We need a good man to lead this country.”
The eyes of the world may be on Nevada come November. But what will happen between now and November is anybody’s guess. One thing both sides agree on: The future of America is on the ballot.
But just which version of “America” Nevadans will vote for remains to be seen.
Valerie Miller is a Las Vegas Valley-based award-winning journalist. She can be reached at (702) 683-3986 or valeriemusicmagic@yahoo.com.
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Summer is in full swing, and the housing market is heating up. August came and brought the lowest mortgage rates over the last fifty-two weeks. That celebration was brought to an abrupt halt as the stock market experienced the largest decline in one day since September 13th, 2022. With an election looming and all economic volatility displaying its full fangs, what can we expect to happen to mortgage rates as more Americans see their dreams of becoming a homeowner develop into a faint image growing more dim by the day?
Mortgage rates finally dipped into the high 6’s and with that comes the opportunity to save a little money on the cost of owning a home. Buying your mortgage rate down into the 5’s is now a realistic option for those that are willing to spend on the upfront expense of getting into a home. However, buying down the interest rate does not equate a
Is It?
one-point cost to a one percent reduction. There are regulations that outline the maximum amount a borrower is allowed to spend upfront on a rate buy down. Generally, a two-point (two percent of the total loan amount) buydown brings your rate down around anywhere from 0.500% to 1.500% depending on where the borrower qualifies for their par rate (rate with zero cost).
The costs benefit analysis of the rate buydown can be broken down into a monthly savings plan that will provide the optimal savings for a buyer. For example (hypothetical scenario), a $500,000 home loan at a par rate of 6.875% will generate a monthly principal and interest (P&I) payment of $3,285. Buying the rate down two points ($10,000) to an interest rate of 5.875% will give the homebuyer a P&I payment of $2,958. The $10,000 upfront buydown will give the homebuyer a monthly savings of $327 with a break
even point of 31 months. So, the borrower will not begin saving $327 monthly until AFTER you make 31 payments towards your mortgage.
By this point in the social media world, everyone has heard or seen the phrase, “Date The Rate; Marry Your Home!” With all economic indicators suggesting that rates will continue to fall, why would anyone look to buy down their mortgage rate and increase their total closing costs in this market? The easiest solution is: requesting seller concessions. Every homeowner that has their home on the market may not provide seller’s concessions (money given to the buyers for use towards closing costs) but it is up to the buying agent to explain the benefit of requesting that money in their purchase agreement. Some buyers would rather see a price reduction on the home of $10,000, but in reality, it is more cost effective to pay the full listing price and request $10,000 to be used towards buying down your interest rate. A home listed at $625,000 would give the following scenarios: 20% down full asking price, $10,000 concessions used towards rate buydown, $500,000 loan amount at 5.875% P&I $2958; 20% down $10,000 price reduction ($615,000), $492,000 loan amount at 6.875% P&I $3,232.
The volatility in the mortgage rate market has kept a lot of buyers on the outside looking in. For buyers that are ready, qualified and can afford a home, BUY TODAY and refinance your home once rates go down. Those that are waiting for the rates to go down will find that the values of the homes will continue to increase as rates start to decrease. Always remember, the best time to buy a home is always, Yesterday!
Less is More: Steve Edmundson’s Approach to Nevada’s Pension Fund Management
By: Jim La Forte
Whena professional baseball manager is leading a winning team, the outwardly facing work they do often looks like no work at all. From time to time they may casually flash a sign from the dugout to their third-base coach. Always making sure to waste no effort or draw attention to the motion.
On occasion, they’ll leisurely stroll out to the mound to bring in a relief pitcher. But it all looks like they’re barely working, yet the team keeps humming along perfectly and winning games.
Famed player and baseball coach Pete Rose once said that when it comes to managing players, it all boils down to three options. They either need a pat on the backside, a kick in the backside, or nothing at all.
It’s that last one, the part about doing nothing at all, that’s often the hardest for managers in any position to master. Knowing when to let things ride is a type of patience that only comes with experience.
Professional baseball hasn’t officially come to Vegas (at least not yet), but Steve Edmundson, chief investment officer of the Nevada Public Employees’ Retirement System, is showing the prowess of a seasoned baseball manager.
Investing has changed drastically in recent years. Formally educated finance guys were replaced by quants. High-speed algorithms read news headlines in a flash and make a trade before the second hand on your watch even has a chance to flinch.
It’s all about beating the market through more data and constant trading. Out-timing the market and moving before anyone else. But Steve Edmundson is bucking that trend and adopting a less-is-more approach. An approach that is outperforming other state pension fund managers that are using every strategy and tool at their disposal.
Edmundson relies heavily on boring index funds. He’s ahead of the curve in his thinking. The number of states with half of their funds allocated to index funds has started growing. Since 2015, all of Nevada’s investments have been in passive index funds.
With mostly passive funds, the number of employees needed is drastically reduced. Edmundson started with 3 employees, but that was later reduced to just two. For a time, he was the sole employee managing the entire fund, but he did recently bring one more manager on board to help.
The total amount of the Nevada Public Employees’
Retirement System (NVPERS) under management now hovers at $62 billion. In 2016, it was roughly $35 billion. Not bad for two employees.
Successfully reaching actuarial targets of around 8% is one thing, but Edmundson’s approach has the benefit of huge savings over traditional active pension fund management.
With very little outside management and a small staff of only two people, total costs to run the fund hover around 13 basis points (1 basis point=0.01%). For comparison, the average fees and costs for pension fund management nationwide is roughly 54 basis points.
An even more telling statistic is that much of those 13 basis points comes from the 12% allocation to private markets within the Nevada fund (6% private equity and 6% private real estate).
If you remove the private equity allocation of Nevada’s portfolio, fees make up only a single basis point.
When Edmundson first came on board to manage the fund, he was faced with two unique challenges. One was the fact that Nevada operated a single fund that covered all retired employees. Second, due to the smaller size of the overall fund, he had limited resources to work with.
Edmundson and his small team created their
investment strategy based on that structure and those limitations. He knew simplicity would be the key to a successful approach.
You would think such simplicity in today’s investing environment would take a herculean amount of restraint. But for Edmundson, it’s just part of his ideology when it comes to investing. It comes naturally.
That simplicity extends to his daily routine. Don’t expect this billion-dollar fund manager to have an office reminiscent of Gordon Gekko in the movie Wall Street.
Instead, his office is almost shockingly bare bones. A small desk, a PC, and a few old-school accents like a stapler and a small plastic bin for paper clips are all you’ll see.
Nothing fancy. But after hearing Edmundson describe his views on investing, the austerity of his office makes perfect sense.
All of this doesn’t mean he’s closed off to new ideas or different asset allocations. His office fields calls every day from people pitching various investment products or funds.
Edmundson jokingly tells each salesperson that this will likely be the “worst sales call of their day”. Not because Edmundson isn’t receptive, it’s just that he has a high bar.
Edmundson says he “invests in strategy, not in markets”. If a product doesn’t fit that strategy, it’s a non-starter.
NVPERS has become a bright spot within the state’s financial performance and budget. What Edmundson’s strategy shows is that whether you’re managing a professional baseball team or managing $60 billion in assets, you need to be efficient and disciplined with how much you meddle in daily operations.
Sometimes, less is more.
It’s a lesson that Edmundson knows well, and the proof is in the NVPERS annual financial report year after year.
2024 Election Outlook:
Anticipating Democratic Tax Proposals
Written By Donovan Thiessen, CPA
As the 2024 elections approach, taxpayers and businesses alike eagerly observe the potential shifts in income tax policy that could follow the electoral outcomes. The stakes are high, as the direction of tax policy will significantly impact financial planning, business strategies, and household budgets. The fundamental divide between Republican and Democratic approaches to taxation is stark, with each party offering distinctly different visions for the future. This article explores the potential changes in income taxes depending on which party wins, highlighting the key proposals and their implications for individuals and businesses.
Republicans generally favor lower taxes and have historically advocated for policies that reduce the tax burden on individuals and businesses. If the Republicans win the 2024 elections, we can expect them to push for the extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) provisions, many of which are set to expire on December 31, 2025. Key aspects include:
The qualified business deduction, introduced by the TCJA, allows eligible businesses to deduct up to 20% of their qualified business income. This deduction is crucial for pass-through entities such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S-corporations. Republicans are likely to support
extending or enhancing this deduction to incentivize small business growth further.
The TCJA also lowered the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. Republicans would likely resist any efforts to increase this rate, arguing that a lower corporate tax rate boosts economic growth and competitiveness.
The TCJA reduced the top individual tax rate from 39.6% to 37%. Republicans would likely aim to make these lower rates permanent, benefiting higher-income earners and potentially stimulating investment and spending.
On the other hand, if Democrats win the 2026 elections, we can anticipate policies focused on increasing taxes for higher earners and corporations while providing relief to middle and lower-income families. Kamala Harris’s tax proposals are similar to President Biden’s, but we are eager to see more details as the election unfolds. Here is what we know so far:
They are protecting the middle class from increases in income tax. Harris has stated that individuals earning under $400,000 will not see a tax increase. For this to be true, something must be addressed
with the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction, from which many middle-class business owners are currently benefiting.
Harris has proposed increasing the child tax credit to $3,600, a $1,600 increase from where it today. She also wants to give a tax credit of $6,000 for families with a new baby. In other words, a first year child tax credit of $6,000, then $3,600 in subsequent years.
Kamala Harris has proposed a 4% tax on taxpayers who make over $100,000 to help pay for “Medicare for All.” Additional details have not yet been released for this, although it should be noted that it contradicts her promise that nobody earning $400,000 or less will see increased tax liabilities.
Another significant proposal is raising the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%. This increase is intended to ensure that corporations pay a “fair share” of taxes and contribute to infrastructure and social programs. While Harris (or Biden) has not proposed eliminating the QBI deduction, there might be reforms to ensure that it genuinely benefits small businesses rather than high-income individuals exploiting the deduction. Taxpayers in the fields of health, law, accounting, consulting, financial services, and a few others deemed to be “Specified Service Trade or Business” (SSTB) are already subject to phaseouts for this deduction for taxable income ranges:
Single filers 182,100 – 232,100
Married filing joint 364,200-464,200
The QBI deduction is unavailable for taxpayers in those industries beyond the upper limits of those income ranges. For other eligible taxpayers beyond those income ranges, taxpayers may still qualify, but several tests may limit the deduction.
In a simplified scenario where a taxpayer is not an SSTB, is married filing joint, has taxable income of $450,000, and has a QBI of 250,000. The QBI deduction is 250,000 x .20 = 50,000. If this taxpayer loses this deduction, it will increase tax liability by 16,000 annually.
Joe Biden proposed taxing long-term capital gains at ordinary income tax rates for individuals earning over $1 million, doubling the current top rate. Kamala Harris has not listed this as a formal proposal in print, but has recently commented that she supports this. Combined with the net investment income tax of 3.8%, the top federal rate would be 43.4%. The net investment income tax is also subject to expansion
for high-income taxpayers. The NIIT rate would increase from 3.8% to 5% for taxpayers with incomes over $400,000. This tax applies to investment income sources such as interest, dividends, capital gains, rental and royalty income, and a notable inclusion of non-passive business income. In other words, before the NIIT was applied only to passive investment income, under his proposal, the NIIT would apply to active business income for individuals earning over $400,000.
Regarding the estate tax, there are several proposals aimed at increasing estate tax revenues. The current estate tax exemption of approximately $13.6 million (in 2024) would reduce to $3.5 million per individual, a range we haven’t seen since 2009. The top estate tax rate would increase from 40% to 45%.
A controversial aspect of Biden’s (and now we presume Harris’s) tax plan is the taxation of unrealized gains at death. It would be effective for gains above $5 million for individuals and $10 million for married and joint filers. This proposal is a significant departure from the current method of assets passing to a beneficiary receiving a stepped-up basis to the fair market value at death. We are eager to see if Harris incorporates this into her plan.
Last, there is a proposal for a billionaire minimum tax of 25% on the total income, including unrealized capital gains, for individuals with more than $100 million in assets. Although this tax affects only a small portion of ultra-high net-worth taxpayers, it is a new tax we’ve not seen before. Take, for instance, the recent climb in the value of Tesla stock. In June 2024, Elon Musk’s net worth increased by approximately
$12 billion just from the sharp rise in Tesla’s stock price. Under this Harris tax proposal, Elon must pay $3 billion tax on unrealized gains. He would presumably need to sell $3 billion of stock to pay for this tax, which would generate even more capital gain upon the sale. This tax raises concerns about how it will affect increases in real estate values in addition to the value of businesses. High net-worth taxpayers typically have their wealth attached to illiquid assets, which will make it difficult to pay taxes on unrealized gains.
The election will determine a drastic change in income taxes for us taxpayers. Harris has promised that middle-class taxpayers earning less than $400,000 will see no increase in tax. Corporations, highincome earners, and those subject to the estate tax would see the greatest tax increases. There is time to assess where you may stand with these changes. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is currently set to expire on 12/31/25. If Republicans win, they will likely extend the TCJA or make aspects of it permanent.
If Democrats win, they will likely enact their proposals to be effective 1/1/2026. Stay tuned and consult with your tax advisor and estate planning attorney to ensure you understand how this affects you and your family.
Donovan Thiessen, CPA is the founder and owner of The Accountant, LLC. Our mission is to help business owners make better decisions by providing timely and accurate financial and tax analysis. You may reach Donovan at donovan@theaccounantcpa.com, www.theaccountant.cpa, and 702.389.2727.
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The Blueprint of Innovation
COO Craig O’Keefe Discusses the Vision Behind Clique Hospitality
In the competitive world of hospitality, few companies have managed to navigate the ever-evolving landscape as successfully as Clique Hospitality. Led by Chief Operating Officer Craig O’Keefe, Clique Hospitality has become a prominent name in Las Vegas and beyond, known for its innovative concepts and commitment to creating unforgettable guest experiences.
Recently, Craig O’Keefe sat down with Vegas Legal Magazine to discuss the journey of Clique Hospitality, sharing insights into the company’s growth, its unique approach to the industry, and the challenges it has overcome to remain at the forefront of hospitality in some of the nation’s most vibrant cities. In this exclusive interview, O’Keefe opens up about the company’s strategic plans, its dedication to excellence, and the future of hospitality in Las Vegas and beyond.
Vegas Legal Magazine (VLM): Can you talk about your plans for Clique Hospitality?
Craig O’Keefe (CO): Our plans at Clique Hospitality are twofold. One is to continue to create incredible guest experiences through three pillars that drive our corporate culture; to provide excellent food
and beverage, excellent service and an excellent atmosphere. Two is to provide opportunities for growth within Clique to establish future leaders of hospitality.
VLM: What is the niche for Clique Hospitality, and who are your chief competitors?
CO: Clique individually curates each venue, each with its own identity. We aim to create distinctive destinations across restaurants, lounges and pools. I wouldn’t say we look at other groups or venues as competitors, but as peers working together to make our industry stronger. There’s enough room for all of us.
VLM: Why did you decide to go into the hospitality industry?
CO: As with many people in the industry, I started working in hospitality at a young age out of necessity. I wanted and needed to make my own money. Not long after my first job in the business, I was hooked. I love teamwork and the sense of shared accomplishment we feel when we provide excellent service for our guests. We are fortunate to work in a business where we get to meet so many people, and
Bel-Aire Lounge Dusk by Clint Jenkins
it doesn’t hurt to be around incredible food, drinks and music.
VLM: What drew you to Clique Hospitality?
CO: The people, notably our CEO, Andy Masi. He has been at the forefront of the business for decades and setting trends in the hospitality industry since the early 2000s. I wanted to be around someone that was looking to open innovative venues, push culinary norms, demand the best, and be willing to do what it takes to get that done.
VLM: Clique Hospitality operates in both Las Vegas, Southern California and Chicago. Can you discuss the differences – and similarities – of the locations?
CO: Clique is now behind more than two dozen restaurants and cocktail bars in Southern California, Las Vegas and Chicago. The main differences in each tend to be in the cuisine. For example, our Southern California locations have more accessibility to certain types of seafoods, so the menus are more seafood driven at Set in Newport Beach and Lionfish in San Diego. Our venues in Las Vegas are built around a concept or idea that appeals to the part of the city it is located in. Tailgate Social, for example, is located just off the Las Vegas Strip at Palace Station and is a local sports fan’s dream with popular game day bites and cocktails driven by our hometown teams. Similarly, all our venues are located in great cities and tied together by incredible people who share our
passion for food and beverage.
VLM: Las Vegas casinos and resorts have become more about entertainment and great restaurants than they were two or three decades ago – when cheap buffets were the norm. Can you discuss how that transition affected your operations in Las Vegas?
CO: Las Vegas has a wonderful way of recreating itself. We are continually challenged to look at how we can get better. We are constantly asking ourselves questions like “What we can do differently?” “How can we better serve our food and beverage?” and “How can we create more amazing moments for our guests?” Through the evolution of our industry come opportunities for us to grow and create new, exciting venues for our guests, both locals and visitors.
Some of these transitions paved the way for our Proper Eats Food Hall inside ARIA Resort & Casino, which boasts in-demand imports from around the country, including Seoul Bird from Judy Joo; the recently opened Parm Italian from Major Food Group, the team behind iconic restaurants like Carbone; Wexler’s Deli, famous in L.A. for its smoked fish and meats; among others. Together they form a collection of eateries bound to push your diet to tomorrow. On the nightlife side, we continue to push the boundaries with a tableside mixology menu at CliQue Bar & Lounge inside The Cosmopolitan, where mixologists make eye-catching cocktails right at the table; and at Easy’s Cocktail Lounge, a speakeasy inside Proper Eats, we have our “Showstoppers,” theatrical cocktails with presentations that guests can’t wait to be a part of.
VLM: The hospitality industry was among the hardest hit sectors during the COVID lockdowns. How did the pandemic, and the government-mandated business closures, impact Clique Hospitality?
CO: Like most other companies across the country and world, we were faced with hard times. However, we did our best to find the positives from the experience. It gave us a moment to recalibrate our business and we came back stronger, giving more to our guests and our team members.
VLM: What makes Clique Hospitality successful in this very competitive industry?
CO: I believe it’s the leaders and team members of our company. We offer a fantastic work environment, where we push each other to do the best we can for our guests and each other. We all wear a lot of
hats and are willing to help one another out for the common goal. We are unapologetic about striving to be great in all areas of our industry.
VLM: Where would you like to see Clique Hospitality expand? Or, are you content with the size of the operation right now?
CO: Las Vegas is the greatest hospitality city in the world, and it is at the heart of everything we do at Clique. We are blessed with great partners both here and other markets, such as MGM Resorts International, Station Casinos, Resorts World, Caesars Entertainment, Pendry Hotels and Montage Resorts.
Our newest creations include four destinations inside Station Casinos’ new Durango Casino & Resort. We’ve been so well received by the Southwest Las Vegas community and beyond. Mijo Modern Mexican Restaurant, Wax Rabbit, Bel Aire Lounge and Bel Aire Backyard are all thriving. They help provide fun, approachable and different experiences for guests across all demographics.
Later this year, we will unveil Caspian’s at Caesars Palace. Located on the main casino floor, Caspian’s
will offer a seductive caviar and cocktail bar in the front, with an energetic live music lounge in the back.
VLM: How has the hospitality business changed, overall, since you started working in it?
CO: The hospitality is much more innovative than it used to be. As we create each concept, we are thinking about what we can do to create memorable experiences for our guests. I believe we are also better at facilitating growth within the industry and viewing each member of our team for their potential. We view ourselves as an incubator for talent to build industry leaders, from chefs and front of house to management and marketing, plus everything in between.
VLM: Does Clique work with the hospitality program at UNLV?
CO: Yes, we do work with the UNLV Hospitality program. We have and continue to support and accept internship opportunities with students of the program. We are in close contact with the leadership team of the program to support in any way we can.
Mijo Modern Mexican Patio by Boogie 702
Lionfish
Durango Bel Aire Backyard Cabana Interior by Clint Jenkins
Set at The Pendry
Wax Rabbit Durango Casino by Clint Jenkins
Tailgate Social Game Area
A Local Sports Bar Took on The NFL and Won a $4.7 Billion Jury Verdict But the Fight Isn’t Over
Written By Jim La Forte
Summer is usually a slow time for fans of football. There are usually some trade talks here or there throughout the summer lull to keep fans talking. Maybe even a contract dispute that grabs a few headlines. But the intense on-field battles fans crave are on hold until the fall.
The summer of 2024 is shaping up to be a little different, at least in the eyes of the NFL brass. The NFL has been locked in a legal battle of its own that has now resulted in a $4.7 billion jury verdict that threatens a core aspect of its lucrative business model.
Worse yet for the NFL, U.S. antitrust law allows for the tripling of damages, which would balloon that
verdict to a whopping $14 billion. The original civil class action and antitrust lawsuit revolves around how the NFL packages and distributes its televised games, specifically through a product known as NFL Sunday Ticket.
NFL’s Sunday Ticket allows fans to watch out-ofmarket games that are not broadcast in their local television market. For example, if you’re living in Las Vegas and want to watch the out-of-market Cowboys vs Lions game, you would need to buy a Sunday Ticket package which costs $349-$449 per season.
Bars and other businesses that air NFL football games are also required to buy pricey NFL Sunday Ticket packages.
Essentially, the plaintiffs in the case argued that the NFL and the individual teams colluded in a type of price-fixing scheme related to Sunday Ticket.
By working together, the plaintiffs argued, teams with less popularity were able to charge more than they would otherwise be able to charge if they were forced to negotiate viewing rights individually.
Plaintiffs also claimed that the inflated Sunday Ticket prices were used to protect high broadcast fees paid by CBS and Fox.
The Long Path to a $4.7 Billion Verdict
The $4.7 billion jury verdict is one of the largest in American history, but it started somewhat unassumingly with a small sports bar in San Francisco that goes by the name Mucky Duck.
The Mucky Duck is a local hangout that’s tightly nestled between a row of other small businesses that line 9th Avenue in San Francisco. You would probably walk right past it if it weren’t for the small sign hanging out front showing a duck in a stylish scarf enjoying a
mug of cold beer.
The Mucky Duck first brought its lawsuit against the NFL nine years ago. Since then, it’s been a winding road that saw the case get dismissed in 2017. But in 2019, the case was reinstated as a class action lawsuit that included subscribers to Sunday Ticket from 2011 through 2023.
That nine-year legal journey was a difficult one that included over 1.2 million documents that needed to be reviewed during the discovery process.
Among the huge trove of documents were two specific pages that the plaintiff’s legal team described as a “smoking gun” (something the NFL has denied in their recent legal request).
The plaintiffs argued that the two documents showed how the NFL would present Sunday Ticket pricing structures to potential bidders for their input or approval. Lawyers for the plaintiffs also argued that the NFL chose partners who agreed to maintain the current Sunday Ticket restrictions regarding the airing of outof-market games.
The result, according to the plaintiffs, was a violation of antitrust laws and led to anti-competitive pricing models that resulted in billions in damages.
Needless to say, there’s a lot on the line in this case that started out in the back office of a tiny San Francisco pub. To put it in football terms, this is like the Super Bowl going into double overtime, with everything on the line, at least for the NFL.
If the NFL’s request is denied and the jury verdict stands, it can upend the highly lucrative business model that drives the league’s record revenue year after year.
Much of the NFL’s negotiating with broadcast partners is dependent on the protection that Sunday Ticket provides. It’s part of the reason NFL broadcast rights are so lucrative for the league.
As large tech giants like Amazon, Alphabet, and Apple enter the live sports broadcasting fray, there is even more money on the table than ever before. These tech giants don’t need to turn a direct profit on the broadcast rights they secure. A company like Amazon simply provides live sports and entertainment as a perk for its Prime customers. This means sports leagues are likely to land even bigger deals in the future, assuming they can keep the business model alive.
Cases like this with such heavy implications are usually brought by the government or are waged between two corporate titans. The recent action against Apple’s app store or Delta Airlines’ threat to sue Microsoft and CrowdStrike are two such recent examples.
But this was truly a case reminiscent of David vs Goliath. A small town pub that took on the NFL behemoth and won, at least for now.
The victory wasn’t lost on other small bar owners who see this as vindication and reimbursement for the money they were forced to spend on broadcast packages that often lead to losses instead of profits.
The NFL Successfuly Overturns The Verdict
While the plaintiffs enjoyed a victory, their celebrations were short-lived.
After the jury verdict, lawyers for the NFL requested a hearing to consider overturning the verdict or granting a new trial. NFL lawyers argued that two expert witnesses for the plaintiffs presented flawed methodologies when describing the damages and how they should calculated.
During the trial, Dr. Daniel Raschner and Dr. John Zona presented methodologies they had extrapolated from college football economic models. After the verdict, the defense claimed that these methodolgies do not properly take into consideration the impact of out-of-market dynamics, which were pivotal to the case against the NFL.
On July 31st, U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez overturned the $4.7 billion jury verdict. In a 16page ruling, Judge Gutierrez wrote that without the flawed methodologies and ensuing calculations, no reasonable jury could have found class-wide injury or damages.
Despite the latest ruling, this pivotal case is likely far from over. The plaintiffs are no strangers to setbacks. Their original case was dismissed in 2017, only to successfully have it reinstated two years later.
After the July 31st ruling, the plaintiffs are likely to appeal Judge Gutierrez’s decision.
They may have reason to be optimistic. The jury’s findings and the ruling of Judge Guiterrez suggest that the main legal issue is with the calculation of damages, not whether antitrust violations took place at all.
As for The Mucky Duck, they’ll continue serving beer in their unassuming sports bar in San Franciso. For them, it’s already been nearly 10 years. They knew taking on the NFL wouldn’t be easy.
But as every diehard sports fan knows, after every setback, hope renews with the start of a new year and a new season.
The Mucky Duck and their legal team are hoping they can get a similar fresh start when they appeal the latest ruling to the 9th Circuit in the coming months.
Green Valley Orthopedics is a full service Bone and Joint Specialty Clinic. Dr. Koe, a board certified Orthopaedic Surgeon offers care for knees and shoulders He specializes in arthroscopic procedures and sports medicine
LIFESTYLE
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”
– Oscar Wilde
THE MOB MUSEUM
National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement
By Don Logay
Thanks to the birth of the Internet in 1983 and introduction to American homes just a decade later, the resulting wide use of e-mail has greatly impacted the United States Postal Service.
Where mailboxes and snail mail once reigned supreme, today a gazillion e-mails a day share information in split seconds and trips to the post office are less needed than ever.
The result? Starting in the 1990s, and for decades ever since, the USPS has been shutting down locations and selling them off to be repurposed for everything imaginable.
Of the more than 31,000 post offices nationwide, 16,000 are now under review, with hundreds already having been closed and sold off year-after-year. Some are smaller locations, while others are huge… each one a vanishing surprise to locals and steady customers alike.
The 1920s Chicago Post Office, for example – once the largest in the world – was sold in 2019 to become
a vast multi-use office and event space... and in Washington DC, the historic old 1899 Washington DC Post Office on Pennsylvania Avenue, was sold in 2016 to become the luxurious Trump International Hotel.
Border to border and coast to coast, thousands of non-profitable Post Offices locations – big and small – have been methodically closed and repurposed… and ours, in downtown Las Vegas, was no exception.
What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas
While other Post Office transformations logically have become everything from apartments to gyms and restaurants… only Vegas would consider repurposing its retired location to focus on the history of organized crime.
The stately Las Vegas Post Office and Courthouse, located downtown at 300 Stewart Avenue, was built in 1933 and was once the hub of local business activity. It was also the site of the famed Kefauver Committee hearings to investigate organized crime in America.
Photo courtesy The Mob Museum
In 1950 and 1951, casino owners and managers with ties to notorious Mob bosses – like Moe Sedway, manager of the Flamingo Hotel, and Wilbur Clark, front man for the Desert Inn – were subpoenaed and grilled for answers about the Mob… uncovering heretofore sworn secrets and making fascinating national news.
When the Vegas Post Office was closed in 2002, USPS sold it to the City of Las Vegas for $1 with the stipulation that it be preserved and used as a cultural center. Then Mayor Oscar Goodman, who had previously represented mobsters as a defense attorney in the hey-days of vintage Vegas, proposed a museum that would explore the complicated history of the Mob, and its mostly hidden role in society.
“A visionary concept in 2009, The Mob Museum has become a major influence in the revitalization of downtown Las Vegas,” states Las Vegas Mayor, Carolyn G. Goodman. “Top national leadership in museum design, development and operations was retained and a balanced board of directors was created, chaired by a retired FBI regional director, to formalize the building and to gain [501](c)(3) nonprofit status.”
“The city used matching grants, historic tax credit financing, and both public and private support to fund required restorations and improvements to the facility,” she adds.
With these various federal, state and local funds in place, the building was renovated, repurposed and officially renamed The Mob Museum.
Hiding Vegas Past? Fuggedaboutit!
The Mob Museum officially opened on February 14, 2012, a historic day in the annals of crime and the 83rd Anniversary of the famed St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in Chicago.
The three-story building, featured not only historic Vegas ties to the Mob, but it revealed astonishing insider secrets about organized crime everywhere... all throughout America and in surprising locations worldwide… along with an array of curated personal items once owned by famous mobsters.
The two most famous centerpieces of The Mob Museum are the originally preserved second floor courtroom that once held the Kefauver hearings (where films relive the proceedings and criminal testimonies) and the actual brick wall from the Chicago warehouse where the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre took place… complete with the pockmarked bullet holes from that fateful day.
100 Years of Organized Crime
One’s self-guided tour begins up on the third floor, available by steps or elevator. The first two stops are
Photo courtesy The Mob Museum
Photo courtesy The Mob Museum
an interactive police line-up set – where you can take photos of yourself and friends as wannabe mobsters – and the infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre brick wall.
From there, corridors of twists and turns wind their way through hundreds of exhibits, photos and artifacts on the third, second and first floors… with numerous sections dedicated to specific areas of the Mob’s eye-opening involvement in everything from extortion, gambling and drugs to bootlegging and prostitution. There’s even a grisly photographic display, appropriately titled “The Mob’s Greatest Hits.”
As one goes from one exhibit and display to another, you quickly realize that “what you think you know”… from movies like the Godfather, Goodfellas and TVs Sopranos… barely scratches the surface of the depth and reach of organized crime in our daily lives – from the 1920s up to, and including, today.
The Best By Wiseguy
Here’s a little known (and fascinating) example: Did you know Al Capone is responsible for expiration dates on milk?
In the early 1930s, his brother Ralph became sick from drinking soured milk. Always looking for ways to diversify his reach into legitimate businesses, an angered Capone purchased Meadowmoor Dairies in Chicago to ensure that it showed the date its milk was bottled.
Al’s brother then lobbied (and muscled) milk industry leaders to follow suit… and they did. Over decades, both milk expiration and best by dating became national law and ultimately spread to all consumables from baby formula and ketchup to sliced bread and canned goods.
The next time you look at a milk expiration date or best by label on food, remember it was Al Capone’s idea… and the Mob that got it started. Who knew?
Chicago “Bang… Bang”
As you tour the Mob Museum, you will be surprised to learn how many cities were crime ridden… both openly and secretly, just below the surface… and you may find yourself identifying with events that you recall or experienced in years past.
Such was the case as I toured the museum. I was born and raised in Chicago, and it was impossible to
Photo courtesy Don Logay
Photo courtesy Don Logay
escape its history and reputation. When I traveled to cities like Paris, London and Zurich, mentioning you were from Chicago inevitably elicited a gleeful “Al Capone,” along with a finger pistol “bang…bang” or the “rat-a-tat-tat” of an imaginary Tommy Gun.
I also lived near many of the items on exhibit, such as the where the St. Valentine’s Massacre took place at the SMC Warehouse at 2122 North Clark Street. For a time, I lived at the nearby Hotel Rienzi (another Mob residence in the 20s and 30s) and frequently passed by this infamous location.
For 18-years, I also lived atop the twin Marina City Towers at 300 North State Street... just a few blocks down from Holy Name Cathedral where pock-marked bullet holes are still visible from where a famous mob hit took place.
Down State Street to the South, and one block over, was the “Four Deuces,” Al Capone’s headquarters
in the 1920s and 30s at 2222 South Wabash… and the famous phone booth inside… both of which are on display at the Mob Museum, physically and photographically.
A few hours touring the museum will surely draw you in with memories and personal recall, as it did with myself.
What’s the Password?
After touring for three or four hours, and reaching the first floor of fascinating exhibits, you’ll be ready for a first-hand visit to a “blast from the past” in the museum’s Underground where you’ll find a recreated Speakeasy and a working Distillery where real bootleg Moonshine is being brewed… that you can order to drink or purchase to take home.
The authentically recreated Speakeasy offers 1920’s style drinks along with a limited snack and
Crime Lab (above and below) / Photos courtesy The Mob Museum
Firearms Training
Photo courtesy The Mob Museum
Firearms Training
Photo courtesy The Mob Museum
Distillery and Tasting Tour
Photo courtesy The Mob Museum
Distillery and Tasting Tour
Photo courtesy The Mob Museum
dessert menu. When asked what’s best, my friendly bartender recommended the “The Underground Old Fashioned” noting it is by far, the most popular and ordered by one out of every four patrons.
I followed suit and it was a great choice… served inside a leather-bound book, I found a small bottle containing the old fashioned. I opened open the book and poured my drink into an upscale decorative glass with ice and topped with a tasty authentic Amerenna Cherry imported from Italy. Do try one.
The Speakeasy itself is one of the most popular bars in Las Vegas. It’s a trip back in time to the days of prohibition and hideaways where the Mob satisfied the nation’s thirst for forbidden spirits.
Many nights feature live entertainment and there’s also special door for direct access from outside that requires a “password” for entry. Inside there’s a secret door that leads to an adjacent hidden VIP room. (Psst: It’s actually behind the large gold-framed vintage photo of a 1920s glamour girl.)
An Offer You Can’t Refuse
“We opened the new museum on February 14, 2012, in recognition of the Mob-related St. Valentines’ Day Massacre,” notes Mayor Carolyn Goodman. “Since then, The Mob Museum has educated and entertained more than four million visitors.”
“It is a must-see Las Vegas attraction,” she adds, “reputed to be one of the best museums in the country. Surely it has been one of our city’s best investments.”
Badda bing badda boom. The Mob Museum, located at 300 Stewart Avenue (downtown) is open daily from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. The Underground Speakeasy and Distillery are open Monday – Wednesday 11:00 am to 10:00 pm and Thursday – Sunday 11:00am to midnight.
General Admission is $34.95 for self-guided tours with a special discount of $19.95 for locals with ID. There are also special prices for interactive experiences such as a tour of an authentic “Crime Lab,” an immersive “Firearms Training Simulator” – with live role-playing requiring split-second shooting decisions – and a tasting tour of the working “Moonshine Distillery.” For more information visit www.themobmuseum.org or call (702) 229-2734.
From your first up-close-and-personal look at the St. Valentine’s Massacre brick wall to having a cool and refreshing 1920s cocktail in the Underground Speakeasy hideaway hours later... you just may find yourself feeling a bit like a flapper or Mob wiseguy of yesteryear... and talking-the-talk after walking-thewalk.
The Mob Museum?... Fuggedaboutit ! (meaning “don’t”)
Don Logay is an award-winning journalist and former Editor-in-Chief of three national magazines. Today he writes luxury lifestyle articles for numerous publications. He can be reached at (949) 240-4444 or press@donlogay.com.
Photo courtesy The Mob Museum
Photo courtesy The Mob Museum
Photo courtesy The Mob Museum
Photo courtesy The Mob Museum
Don Snyder’s Enduring Impact on The Smith Center
By Myron G. Martin, President and CEO, The Smith Center
It goes without saying that The Smith Center for the Performing Arts wouldn’t exist without the late Fred W. Smith, for whom this spectacular campus of ours is named. During his tenure as chairman of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, Mr. Smith approved record-setting donations that made this fantastic project, and many others, possible.
But I also unequivocally tell people that there would be no Smith Center without Donald D. Snyder.
Don Snyder’s Las Vegas résumé – president of UNLV; president of Boyd Gaming Corporation;
Chairman of the Board and CEO of First Interstate Bank of Nevada; board member for United Way of Southern Nevada, Nathan Adelson Hospice and so many other important organizations – is beyond compare. And among his countless contributions to this community, his leadership in spearheading the creation of The Smith Center will forever be remembered and revered.
Don recognized that Las Vegas was the largest metropolitan city in North America without a worldclass performing arts center, and he vowed to help
(Left to right) Myron Martin, Fred Smith and Don Snyder
change that. His initial interest stemmed mostly from the economic value of such an institution – the way it would spark downtown’s redevelopment as it had in cities he and I visited like Newark, New Jersey; Fort Worth, Texas; and West Palm Beach, Florida; and the impact it would have in luring business professionals to a well-rounded town with a full cultural menu. But it didn’t take long for Don to embrace the artistic importance of such a place, too.
I’ve often teased that Don, a Wyoming Cowboy through and through, likes both kinds of music: country and western. But he has grown to be a great supporter of all types of arts, and he has always been a great supporter of education. The elementary school that bears his name, along with his wife’s –Don and Dee Snyder Elementary – testifies to his commitment to education in Clark County, which aligns perfectly with The Smith Center’s educational mission.
For more than two decades, Don has been quick to tell people that he and I have been locked at the hip, a testament to our shared vision and commitment. And despite being the busiest executive in town, he’s always had time for The Smith Center, and for me. As we raised money, during the design
phase, while we were under construction and since we opened, whenever I needed Don Snyder for something, I could reach him immediately, and he would give me all the time I needed.
Now, after serving as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for The Smith Center for 20-plus years – including its entire run since opening to the public in 2012 – Don is stepping down. It’s a day I hoped would never come, but of course, change is inevitable. And the great news is, Don will continue to serve on our board, which will remain in very capable hands under the leadership of longtime board member Jonathan Halkyard, CFO of MGM Resorts, International.
As I said, The Smith Center wouldn’t exist without Don Snyder, and it’s no exaggeration. In the early years, he helped craft and tell our story to all the key players, from business leaders to city, county and state officials to critical donors and other supporters. And thanks to Don’s business acumen and his neverending attention to detail through the years as our Chairman, The Smith Center stands poised to continue in its quest of enriching the lives of those in our community and beyond for generations to come. Bravo, Don. And thank you!
Liquid Diet: Truly Unique Cocktails in the Arts District
Written By Jim La Forte
There’s no shortage of spots in Las Vegas to grab a premium cocktail. When it comes to the atmosphere though, your choices can become slightly more limited.
Most premium cocktails are served in bars within a casino. Bars like the Collins at Fontainebleau fit this bill. It’s a great bar with some unique cocktails, but you’re still ultimately inside of a casino. If you’re looking for something a little more unique (or even slightly hidden), then Liquid Diet in the Arts District might be calling your name.
Just don’t expect any over-the-top signage or flashing lights to guide you like at a casino. In fact, finding Liquid Diet takes a bit of effort. As their Instagram almost proudly declares, you can find them “in the alley between Commerce and Main, south of Imperial”.
Usually, when someone tells you to meet them in the alley, your night probably isn’t getting off to a great start (or maybe it is depending on your idea of a good time).
But if unique cocktails that are crafted by hand with the skill of a formally trained Michelin-star private chef
sound fun, then Liquid Diet is a sparkling gem in this otherwise dimly lit section of town.
The co-founder’s impressive culinary background is apparent right when you walk in the door. Liquid Diet looks more like an open kitchen with hints of evidence that suggests it sometimes doubles as a chemistry lab.
Everything from the syrups to the sodas is made by hand and on-site.
Expect to be a little overwhelmed by the drink options here...but in a good way. You can start by choosing from what’s listed on the handwritten signs hanging throughout the bar. The impermanence of the signage is more evidence that things here are experimental.
If you’re unsure of what to order, you’re more than welcome to get into a deep conversation about Mango Lassi Chasers or the Pico de Gallo Michelada
with your bartender. They’re happy to help you with your drink choice and explain what ingredients go into each unique concoction.
Liquid Diet is a place to sit down and explore flavor and drink combinations you’ve likely never even considered before. But after your first sip, you’ll likely wonder why nobody had thought of this.
The whole experience is one of discovery and it’s what sets Liquid Diet apart from so many other drink destinations within the city.
If you’re in the mood for something different and want to impress your friends with flavor without the typical casino atmosphere, then Liquid Diet is definitely worth the effort.
They’re located between Main and Commerce in the Arts District serving their unique creations from Wednesday through Sunday, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
What to Watch &Read
Legal Thrillers and Dramas to
Engage Your Mind
Legal dramas, whether on the screen or the page, have a unique ability to captivate audiences with their intricate plots, moral dilemmas, and deep dives into the human condition. As we approach the end of the summer, it’s the perfect time to indulge in some of the best legal movies, TV shows, and books that promise not only to entertain but also to provoke thought. Whether you’re a legal professional, an enthusiast of the genre, or simply looking for a compelling story, these recommendations offer a rich blend of suspense, drama, and insight into the legal world.
TV Show: Presumed Innocent
Presumed Innocent is a gripping legal drama that delves into the complexities of justice, guilt, and innocence. Based on Scott Turow’s best-selling novel, the show follows Rusty Sabich, a prosecutor accused of murdering a colleague with whom he had an affair. As the plot unfolds, viewers are drawn into a labyrinth of legal and moral complexities, where the line between right and wrong is blurred.
The show’s brilliance lies in its exploration of the fallibility of the legal system and the personal cost of its flaws. The courtroom scenes are intense, with sharp dialogue and
unexpected twists that keep the audience on the edge of their seats. For anyone interested in the intricacies of legal practice and the human stories behind the cases, Presumed Innocent is a must-watch.
TV Show: Your Honor
“Your Honor” is a gripping legal drama that stars Bryan Cranston as Michael Desiato, a respected New Orleans judge whose moral compass is tested when his son, Adam, becomes involved in a hit-and-run accident. This accident tragically kills the son of a local mob boss, setting off a chain of events that pull Judge Desiato deeper into a web of lies and impossible decisions. As he tries to cover up the accident to protect his son, the judge’s actions lead to a series of high-stakes consequences that threaten to dismantle his life and the lives of those around him.
The show explores themes of justice, corruption, and family loyalty against the backdrop of a gritty, morally complex New Orleans. Cranston’s portrayal of a father and judge torn between upholding the law and protecting his son provides a tense, emotionally charged narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. “Your Honor” is a compelling tale of how one fatal decision can lead to a perilous downfall, challenging the very notions of right and wrong.
In Eruption, two titans of thriller writing, James Patterson and Michael Crichton, come together to deliver a legal thriller with a scientific twist. The story centers around a massive volcanic eruption that threatens to destroy a small town. Amidst the natural disaster, a legal battle ensues over the responsibility for the devastation, pitting local officials against a powerful corporation.
The novel masterfully blends Crichton’s signature style of weaving complex scientific concepts into the narrative with Patterson’s knack for fast-paced, suspenseful storytelling. The result is a thrilling page-turner that not only entertains but also raises important questions about corporate responsibility, environmental law, and the ethics of disaster management. Eruption is perfect for readers who enjoy a mix of legal drama and scientific intrigue.
Books: The Quiet Damage: QAnon and the Destruction of the American Family by Jesselyn Cook
The Quiet Damage by Jesselyn Cook tells the story of five families destroyed by conspiracy theories and
Books: Eruption by James Patterson & Michael Crichton
Presumed Innocent
Your Honor
disinformation. It is a spotlight on our society’s vulnerability to disinformation and how so many families have been torn apart by loved ones who have succumbed to conspiracy theories, many times even bringing other loved ones down with them. By delving into the psychology of how and why people fall into believing the unbelievable, Cook gives the reader a brilliantly written insight into how our society has been hijacked by those peddling lies built on false hope.
Movie: The Burial
The Burial is a compelling legal drama that tells the true story of an unlikely legal battle between a small-town lawyer and a powerful corporation. The film follows the case of Willie Gary, a charismatic attorney who takes on the case of a funeral home owner suing a major conglomerate for breach of contract. What begins as a simple contractual dispute quickly escalates into a high-stakes courtroom showdown, with far-reaching implications for both parties.
The film is a masterclass in courtroom drama, with powerful performances and a riveting script that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish. The Burial not only highlights the David-and-Goliath nature of the case but also delves into deeper issues of corporate accountability, legal ethics, and the pursuit of justice. It’s a must-watch for anyone who enjoys legal films that tackle big issues with heart and intelligence.
Whether you’re unwinding after a long day or looking for something to engage your mind during the weekend, these legal dramas and thrillers offer a perfect blend of entertainment and intellectual stimulation. From the tense courtroom battles of Presumed Innocent and The Burial to the thought-provoking narratives of Eruption, and The Quiet Damage, there’s something here for every fan of the genre. So, grab a seat, settle in, and let these stories take you on a journey through the fascinating world of law and justice.
The Burial
Balancing Life and Spine Health:
How to Maintain a Healthy Back While Enjoying Las Vegas’ Summer Lifestyle
Las Vegas, with its iconic neon lights, world-class entertainment, and vibrant outdoor lifestyle, is more than just a tourist destination; it’s a city where residents and visitors alike enjoy an active and adventurous way of life. The summer months bring a host of outdoor activities, from hiking in Red Rock Canyon to golfing on pristine courses, and even lounging by luxurious pools. However, amidst the excitement, it’s crucial to remember one essential aspect of our well-being: spine health.
For those living in or visiting Las Vegas, the heat of summer combined with physical activity can pose unique challenges to maintaining a healthy spine. Whether you’re an avid golfer, a weekend hiker, or someone who enjoys the occasional pool day, understanding how to protect your spine during these activities is vital to ensuring long-term health and avoiding unnecessary pain or injury.
The Importance of Spine Health
The spine is the central support structure of the body, responsible for a wide range of functions, from supporting our weight to enabling movement
and protecting the spinal cord. A healthy spine allows us to enjoy a full range of activities, but when it’s compromised, the consequences can be severe. Back pain is one of the most common health complaints, affecting millions of people annually and leading to missed work, reduced quality of life, and in some cases, debilitating chronic pain.
In Las Vegas, where the summer lifestyle often involves extended periods of standing, walking, or engaging in physical activities, maintaining spine health becomes even more critical. The combination of high temperatures and physical exertion can exacerbate underlying spine issues or create new ones. Therefore, it’s essential to take proactive steps to protect your back, allowing you to fully enjoy all that the city has to offer.
Common Summer Activities and Their Impact on the Spine
1. Hiking in Red Rock Canyon
Impact: Hiking, while a fantastic way to explore the natural beauty of Las Vegas, can be tough on the
spine. The uneven terrain, steep inclines, and long distances can strain the back muscles, especially if you’re carrying a heavy backpack or aren’t accustomed to regular physical activity.
Prevention Tips: Before setting out on a hike, ensure you’re wearing supportive footwear that provides proper arch support and cushioning. Use trekking poles to help distribute the weight more evenly across your body, reducing strain on your back. Additionally, keep your backpack light, carrying only essential items, and make sure it’s fitted properly to distribute weight evenly across your shoulders and hips. Stretching before and after your hike can also help maintain flexibility and reduce muscle tightness.
2. Golfing on Las Vegas’ Permier Courses
Impact: Golfing involves repetitive twisting motions that can put significant strain on the lower back. Poor posture during swings, walking long distances while carrying a golf bag, and bending over to retrieve balls can all contribute to back pain.
Prevention Tips: To protect your spine while golfing, focus on maintaining proper posture throughout your swing. Engage your core muscles to support your back and avoid over-rotating during the followthrough. Consider using a golf cart to minimize the amount of walking with heavy equipment or use a pushcart to reduce the strain on your back. Regular stretching exercises, particularly for the hamstrings and lower back, can improve flexibility and reduce the risk of injury.
3. Enjoying Poolside Relaxation
Impact: While lounging by the pool may seem like a low-impact activity, improper posture while lying on a sunbed or sitting for long periods can lead to discomfort and back pain. Additionally, engaging in pool activities such as swimming or water sports without proper technique can strain the back.
Prevention Tips: When relaxing by the pool, be mindful of your posture. Use a pillow or rolled-up towel to support your lower back while lying down, and take breaks to stand up, stretch, and walk around. If you’re swimming, focus on maintaining proper form, especially during strokes like the breaststroke or butterfly, which can place stress on the lower back. Engaging in core-strengthening exercises can also enhance your stability and support your spine
during water activities.
Tips for Maintaining Spine Health During the Summer
1. Stay Hydrated: The desert heat of Las Vegas can lead to dehydration, which can negatively impact spinal discs by reducing their ability to cushion the vertebrae. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially during outdoor activities, to keep your discs hydrated and your spine healthy.
2. Practice Good Posture: Whether you’re sitting, standing, or lying down, maintaining good posture is key to preventing back pain. When sitting, ensure your back is fully supported, your feet are flat on the ground, and your knees are at a right angle. When standing, keep your weight evenly distributed on both feet and avoid slouching.
3. Incorporate Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: Regular stretching can improve flexibility and reduce muscle tightness, while strength training, particularly for the core muscles, can provide better support for the spine. Consider activities like yoga or Pilates, which focus on both flexibility and core strength, to enhance your overall spine health.
4. Listen to Your Body: It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of summer activities, but it’s important to listen to your body and recognize the signs of fatigue or discomfort. If you experience back pain or stiffness, take a break and allow your body to rest. Pushing through pain can lead to more serious injuries.
5. Seek Professional Advice: If you’re experiencing persistent back pain or discomfort, it’s important to consult with an orthopedic spine specialist. They can provide a thorough assessment, recommend appropriate treatments, and offer guidance on how to protect your spine during specific activities.
Las Vegas offers a summer lifestyle filled with opportunities for adventure, relaxation, and enjoyment. By taking proactive steps to maintain spine health, you can fully embrace everything the season has to offer without the worry of back pain or injury. Whether you’re hiking the trails, hitting the golf course, or simply lounging by the pool, remember that a healthy spine is key to enjoying life to the fullest. Make spine health a priority this summer and let every moment in Las Vegas be one of comfort and well-being.
