New Nevada Bankruptcy Judge - 7-12-13

CONGRATULATIONS TO

LAUREL E. DAVIS!!

Laurel Elizabeth Davis was sworn in as a Nevada Bankruptcy Judge on July 12, 2013. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Davis practiced law for 26 years in Nevada and Arizona. She represented debtors, including individuals; trustees; committees and creditors in bankruptcy proceedings and litigation, commercial litigation, mediation, arbitration, workouts and restructuring. She also served as a chapter 11 trustee. Judge Davis specialized in high net worth chapter 11 debtors as well as sensitive matters involving ethics issues, disgorgement and show cause orders issued to companies, law firms and attorneys.

Since 1993, Judge Davis has held a business bankruptcy certification from the American Board of Certification, which is accredited by the American Bar Association. Ms. Davis was Chair of the Nevada State Bar Bankruptcy Section in 2010 and 2011. In 2012 and 2013, she was recognized by Benchmark Litigation as among the Top 250 Women in Litigation in the Nation, and as a 2012 Rising Star. She was a Ninth Circuit Lawyer Representative from 2001 to 2004, and in 2004 served as co-chair of the Nevada Delegation and member of the Lawyer Representative Coordinating Committee. 

Ms. Davis is a Master with the Howard D. McKibben Inn of Court, is a Nevada Transitioning Into Practice Mentor, serves on numerous bench/bar committees for the Bankruptcy and U.S. District Courts, and is active in various professional, community and public service organizations. Ms. Davis regularly writes and speaks on topics which include ethics, litigation, real estate and bankruptcy.

Ms. Davis provides pro bono service to indigent clients through the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, where she serves on the Executive Committee for the Mid Case Bankruptcy Panel. Her contributions have been recognized through several awards received from the Center, as well as an award of fees from the Nevada Supreme Court for the successful prosecution of an appeal for a pro bono client.

A native of Utah, Ms. Davis received her B.S. in Hotel Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1983, and her JD, magna cum laude, from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1987.