MICHAEL E. KEARNEY

Mr. Kearney is a shareholder in the firm and heads the firm’s transaction department.  Mr. Kearney is a 1978 honors graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Business Administration and received his law degree in 1981 from the University of Santa Clara, graduating magna cum laude.  In 1982, Mr. Kearney earned his Master of Laws degree in taxation from New York University.

Mr. Kearney is a member of the State Bar of California and the State Bar of Nevada and is enrolled to practice before the Nevada Gaming Commission and the Nevada State Gaming Control Board.  Mr. Kearney is a member of the Tax Sections of both the State Bar of California and the State Bar of Nevada, and is a member of the Business Entities and Securities Committee of the Business Law Section of the State Bar of Nevada.  Mr. Kearney was the principal author of the changes made to Nevada’s limited liability company law in 1997 and 1999, and is a frequent lecturer to business and professional groups on federal tax and business law issues.

Mr. Kearney was lead transaction counsel in connection with the acquisition of the Diamond Jo Riverboat Casino, located in Dubuque, Iowa, and lead transaction counsel in the purchase of United Coin Machine Co., a subsidiary of Alliance Gaming Corporation.  In addition, Mr. Kearney has acted as special transactional counsel to PDS Gaming Corporation in connection with the Resort at Summerlin bankruptcy case and as special transaction counsel to the senior lender in the Maxim Hotel and Casino bankruptcy case.

Mr. Kearney’s practice centers on complex commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, with emphasis on transactions involving licensed gaming entities and on transactions that are tax driven.

Email - Mkearney@nevadafirm.com