On the Ballot
Initiatives, Measures & Challenges
Featured Litigation
- Fair Maps Nevada v. Jeng (Nev. Sup. Crt.). Led the successful legal challenge to two proposed ballot initiatives that sought to establish an independent redistricting commission. Argued that both measures violated Nevada’s Constitution by creating unfunded mandates, thus requiring expenditures without a mechanism to raise the necessary funds. The Nevada Supreme Court agreed, striking both initiatives from the ballot and affirming critical limits on ballot-driven appropriations.
- Washington v. Nevadans for Reproductive Freedom (Nev. Sup. Crt.). Successfully defended a ballot initiative to amend the Nevada Constitution to recognize a fundamental right to abortion. Overcame multiple constitutional and statutory challenges, securing a Nevada Supreme Court ruling that allowed the measure to move forward, reinforcing Nevada’s reputation as a national leader in reproductive rights protections.
- Sch. Over Stadiums v. Thompson (Nev. Sup. Crt.). Led a successful legal challenge against a referendum petition that sought to repeal a legislative bill providing public financing for a new Major League Baseball stadium in Clark County. The court found the petition legally deficient and struck it from the ballot.
- Educ. Freedom PAC v. Reid (Nev. Sup. Crt.). Led a challenge to a proposed initiative that would have created and funded “Education Freedom Accounts.” Successfully argued the measure violated Nevada’s constitutional requirement for fiscal clarity in initiatives, establishing new precedent on unfunded mandates under state law.
- Cegavske v. Hollowood (Nev. Sup. Crt.). Represented a group of citizens sponsoring a ballot initiative in litigation against the Nevada Secretary of State. The Nevada Supreme Court ruled in favor of our clients, affirming that petition withdrawal procedures are a valid exercise of the people’s initiative rights.
- Nevada Pol’y Rsch. Inst., Inc. v. Cannizzaro, et al. (Nev. Sup. Crt.). Represented Nevada legislators in a case examining whether lawmakers could simultaneously hold public-sector employment. The Nevada Supreme Court sided with our clients, holding that the state’s separation-of-powers clause did not prohibit the dual service at issue.
- Anthony v. Miller (Nev. Sup. Crt.). Represented a Clark County Commission candidate in a contested election decided by 15 votes. Successfully defended against an attempt to overturn the results and avoided a costly new election.
- Tsunoda v. Oyler (Nev. App. Crt.). Represented a widow in an international property and inheritance dispute involving Japanese and American probate law. The appellate court affirmed the district court’s favorable ruling for the client.