Cal-Nev-Ari Appeals & Appellate Lawyers

Why did you become an attorney? The underlying education was the primary reason for the desire to first become an attorney. Obviously, to make a good living and enjoy what you do is the ultimate career. I have found that becoming an attorney was half the battle, becoming a great attorney involves mastering the art of legal persuasion, which is best acquired by experience, and years of training. The reward of client satisfaction truly makes me happy. I had a very strong influence with my Father, Joseph L. Benson, Sr. who was a personal injury lawyer (and received the 2011 Nevada...

Dana is a graduate of UNLV's William S. Boy School of Law. She graduated in 2010 and passed the Nevada Bar Exam on her first attempt in July of 2010. Prior to UNLV Law School, Dana graduated from Arizona State University Magna Cum Laude in 2007 with a Bachelor's Degree in Justice Studies and Social Inquiry, with a minor in Political Science. Dana originally hails from the Bay area and is a season ticket holder for the Las Vegas Raiders. In her spare time she enjoys watching sports, exercising and lounging by the pool when weather permits.

Dane Watson is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Dane graduated Cum Laude in 2015 and passed the Nevada State Bar in 2015 on his first attempt. Subsequently, Dane also passed the California State Bar in February of 2019 to give himself more flexibility practicing law in the Western States. Dane is also licensed to practice in Nevada Federal District Court and in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. During Law School, Dane was a board member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Team and attended and competed in several negotiation competitions across the west coast. Prior...

Michael P. Balaban has handled labor and employment cases for mostly employees since 1997. During that time Michael has represented numerous clients in cases involving discrimination or other employment related claims, including cases brought under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, for wrongful termination, for whistle blowing, for wages and hours disputes, for unemployment benefits and for employment benefits. Michael believes his “hands on style” and preparedness is the key to the success he has achieved for his clients over the years. Labor and Employment law is...

Las Vegas Defense Group attorney Seth Strickland practices criminal defense in Nevada. He has great success in convincing prosecutors to dismiss or substantially lessen charges without a trial. Seth earned his J.D. from the William S. Boyd School of Law.

Las Vegas criminal defense attorney Nicholas D. Pitaro uses his experience as a prosecutor to stay one step ahead of the D.A. when fighting to get our clients’ charges reduced or dismissed. Nicholas also served as a law clerk for the Honorable Douglas Smith, and this “backroom” insight informs his strategies for achieving the most favorable resolutions possible for our clients.

Waleed “Wally” Zaman was born and raised in San Jose, California, where he lived until moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, to complete High School. After graduating High School at age 16, Waleed spent time working with a local debate team, both to develop and hone his public-speaking skills, and to help incoming high-school students learn the basics of argument and rhetoric.

Waleed then attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas, before transferring to Texas A&M. During his time at Texas A&M, Waleed co-managed his family’s hotel and R.V. Park businesses, while he completed his college education, and obtained a bachelors of...

Immigration Officer for US Immigration and Naturalization Service
from 1985 to 1996 Held various positions to include Immigration Border Inspector, Criminal Investigator, Supervisory Special Agent, Immigration Attache, Officer in Charge

W. West Allen is a partner with the nationally-recognized law firm of Lewis and Roca LLP where he currently serves on the firm's governing Policy Committee. As part of the firm's Intellectual Property and Technology Group, Mr. Allen has extensive experience litigating and resolving intellectual property disputes concerning trademarks, patents, copyrights, trade dress, trade secrets, unfair competition, as well as other business, Constitutional and related federal claims. Mr. Allen co-founded the Nevada State Bar's Intellectual Property Section and was subsequently elected that Section's first Chair in 2004. In 2005, Mr. Allen was appointed by the Chief Judge of the U.S....

I graduated from McGeorge School of Law in 1988 and moved to Nevada to work for the criminal defense firm of Goodman, Stein and Chesnoff. While at the Goodman firm, I was responsible for preparing all motions for clients who were assigned to me by each of the partners. This gave me significant experience in researching and preparing motions in Nevada state cases and in federal cases where the clients were usually charged with committing major drug crimes such as Continuing Criminal Enterprise, RICO and Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Sentences in Los Angeles, California, San Diego, California and...

I graduated summa cum laude from New York University and obtained my juris doctorate from the UCLA School of Law, ranked among the top 15 law schools in the country. I am an experienced attorney who handles a diverse range of matters, including civil business litigation, real estate litigation, estate planning, and probates. I also serves as general counsel for several businesses. I have litigated numerous matters in Nevada and California, as well as in the federal courts. I have successfully argued before the Nevada Supreme Court.

Chad Olsen is a partner with significant contract, business, employment, construction, and insurance experience. Chad represents small, large, and national businesses of all types. Through detailed legal analysis and strategic planning, Chad has eliminated millions of dollars in potential liability for his clients. He has also recovered millions of dollars for these same clients. Simply put, clients not only retain Chad to resolve disputes, but also to prevent them.