Renee is a seasoned trial attorney who primarily practices in our Las Vegas office. Over the course of her career, she has successfully resolved numerous high-exposure civil cases with claimed damages in the millions. Her practice areas include premises liability, personal injury, insurance coverage, mass torts, civil sexual assault and battery, negligent security, professional negligence and legal malpractice. Her representative clients include, but are not limited to: Allstate, Liberty Mutual, MGM, Massage Envy, JB Hunt and Union Pacific Railroad.
Prior to her career as an attorney, Renee worked as a claims professional for a national insurance carrier. While in that position, Renee attended law school in the evening, graduating in the top 20% of her law school class.
In her capacity as Chief Strategy Officer, Renee works closely with the other members of the management team of Messner Reeves to maximize the firm’s efficiencies and processes while focusing on overall growth and development.
William S. Boyd School of Law, JD in 2013
South Dakota State University, BA of English in 2005
Member of NV Chapter of ABOTA
Super Lawyers, Rising Star: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
“One to Watch” by Best Lawyers
Top 100 Las Vegas Attorney by MyVegas
Clark County Bar Association
Colorado Bar Association
American Bar Association
Professional Experience
Upson Smith: Trial Attorney 2013 – 2015
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Learn how we’ve grown over the past 25 years.
Navigating state licensing and regulatory compliance
Labeling, packaging, and product warning requirements
Compliance with FTC, FDA, and other federal guidelines
Representation in disputes with regulatory bodies
Corporate and Business Law
Entity formation, corporate governance, and operational guidance
Mergers, acquisitions, and sales of cannabis-related businesses
Commercial contracts, partnership agreements, and financing solutions
Licensing and compliance with state and federal advertising regulations
Land Use and Real Estate
Zoning and jurisdictional assistance for cannabis operations
Support with commercial leases and land use planning
Real estate acquisitions and permits for grow facilities, processing centers, and dispensaries
Intellectual Property
Patent and trademark applications and management for cannabis products
Copyright and brand protection strategies
Intellectual property valuation, acquisitions, and enforcement actions
Trade secret protection and licensing agreements
Employment Law
Drafting employee policies and handbooks addressing drug testing and workplace compliance
Advising on ADA-related issues, harassment, discrimination claims, and HIPAA compliance
Wage and hour consulting and litigation support
Government Relations
Representation in licensing and regulatory matters at the state and local levels
Advocating before legislative bodies and agencies
Assisting with appeals and regulatory challenges
Litigation
Broad support for commercial, regulatory, and shareholder disputes
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Schedule Your Free Consultation Today!
CBD & Industrial Hemp
Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018
New fields of opportunity for growers, manufacturers and investors
Assists in the adaptation to changes in federal law, as well as the state-level laws applicable to the cultivation and production
Start up
Ongoing business concerns
Real Estate
Drafting lease agreements for Landlords or Tenants in the cannabis space
Review and provide advice regarding commercial leases
Amendments to commercial leases
Drafting purchase and sale agreements
Due diligence for real estate purchases and sales
Litigation
Litigation against cities in defense of your cannabis business
Administrative hearings regarding the denial or revocation of business licenses
Civil litigation regarding commercial leases and landlord disputes
Civil litigation of zoning compliance issues
IP litigation
Litigation of contract disputes
Litigation of trademark disputes
Licensing/Compliance
Prepare state and local license applications
Drafting and managing of business and operational plans to be submitted to state and local municipalities for operational licenses
Advise businesses on local and state permitting and licensing processes
Periodic legal compliance audits
Monitoring existing and evolving state and local regulations
Banking & Financial
Raising capital
Financing
Investment portfolios
Access to banking options and counseling on how to obtain financing for a cannabis business
Investor counseling
Advising on lending money to cannabis businesses
Drafting promissory notes and other financing instruments
Corporate Structuring
Mergers and Acquisitions
Joint Ventures
Entity selection and registration
Drafting corporate governance documents
Drafting commercial contracts
Advice on buying and selling cannabis businesses
Advising on impact of Section 280E of IRS Code on businesses
Intellectual Property
Draft underlying contracts and attend to due diligence matters to buy or sell cannabis business
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