Experience
Connaghan Law Firm.
Principal. Las Vegas, NV.
Paul Connaghan represents clientele in trusts, wills, guardianships, powers of attorney, residential and commercial real estate contracts, transactions and regulatory matters, contract negotiation and formation, business entity formation, commercial litigation, and offers consultation on a range of legal and business matters.
Paul offers practical and creative solutions for individuals and businesses in commercial and real estate transactions, contracts, litigated disputes. He forms LLC's and corporations, negotiates and writes a variety of agreements, and brings parties together for a positive outcome in their business and real estate dealings.
Paul represents buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, lenders and borrowers.
Neutral - Mediator & Arbitrator, Advanced Resolution Management (ARM).
Dec 2015 – June 2016. Las Vegas, Nevada.
Paul has enjoyed the privilege of collaborating over the course of 25+ years with renowned jurists, mediators, attorneys and litigants in successful arbitrations, settlement conferences and mediations of numerous, complex multi-party litigated matters. Highlighting those matters were substantial settlements favoring his clients in commercial real estate transactions, legal malpractice claims, lender liability cases and title insurance disputes. Paul passionately believes in ADR.
Paul also serves as a Nevada Supreme Court appointed Arbitrator in the Eighth Judicial District Court’s Mandatory Arbitration Program where he handles a variety of cases, including matters involving commercial, real estate and personal injury law.
Nevada Real Estate Division (NRED) Mediator
May 2017 – April 2018.
Facilitated resolution of disputes between homeowner associations, owners, boards, lenders and association members via NRED mediations.
Clark County, Nevada Department of Family Services Hearing Officer.
June 2016 – Present.
Preside over hearings on appeal by individuals adverse to the Clark County Department of Family Services. Hear legal arguments of counsel, testimony of witnesses, review evidence and rule upon admissibility of evidence. Render final, written findings of fact, conclusions of law and decisions.
Connaghan Newberry Law Firm.
Co-managing Partner. September 2010 - May 2017. Las Vegas, Nevada.
Provided diligent and excellent legal representation for a reasonable fee, while focusing on the optimum outcome for clients. Negotiated for the benefit of individuals and small businesses to document and close business and real estate transactions. Aggressively litigated for of swift justice on behalf of clientele. •Practice areas: Real estate, mediation, arbitration, commercial and business transactions (contracts) and civil litigation (lawsuits). •Clientele: Foreign and United States individuals, investors and businesses in need of prompt skilled negotiation, preparation and resolution of contracts, and disputes, including business owners, private lenders, builders, developers, contractors, banks, buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants. •Focus: Facilitate successful and positive outcomes with an eye toward a win-win outcome in complex, large, medium and small sales, corporate shareholder and limited liability company (LLC) operating agreements, UCC-1 financing statements, leases, title matters, secured (collateralized) transactions and loans. Customize documents to foresee and address contingencies and avoid costly disputes and lawsuits; Resolve matters by engaging in negotiation, court proceedings, mediation and arbitration.
Education
University of Wyoming College of Law. Juris Doctor Degree. Studied Business, Real Estate and Natural Resources Law, 1984 – 1987
Boston College. BA, English, 1981 – 1983. Lettered with the Golf Team. Graduated with Honors, Cum Laude.
University of San Diego School of Business. Attended freshman and sophomore years, 1979 – 1981. Earned Dean's List Honors each semester. Transferred to Boston College and earned degree, graduating with honors, Cum Laude.
Volunteer Experience. Represented Children in Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) matters as a "CAP attorney" with Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. Jan 2008 – Oct 2015 Truancy Diversion Judge, Arbor View High School. Truancy Diversion Program, as part of the Truancy Diversion (Specialty) Court, in cooperation with Clark County Courts and Schools. Mar 2016 – May 2017. Served in a quasi-judicial role, primarily as a mentor to students, offering them a path and incentives to set and achieve goals to enhance their learning and school performance.
Honors & Awards
•Desert Companion magazine's 2014 Top Lawyers •"The List" of Local Law Firms •Certificate of Appreciation as an Honorary Judge at Mock Trial •American Inns of Court Foundation •Certificate of Appreciation
Organizations
•State of Nevada Standing Committee on Judicial Ethics and Election Practices •Clark County Bar Association •State Bar of Nevada Section on Alternative Dispute Resolution •State Bar of Nevada, Real Property Law Section
Publications •Shadow Wood Affirmed Established Legal Standards Relating to HOA Foreclosures •Ethical Considerations for Real Estate Transaction •Foreclosures in Nevada
Certifications
•Completed Interactive Immersive Mediator Training at Pepperdine University School of Law