Whether an individual, small business or a large corporation, one thing is paramount at Semenza Rickard Law – OUR CLIENTS COME FIRST. Our passion is to provide the best representation possible by understanding our clients and their specific needs. We are experienced in litigating cases in Nevada’s state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels, before various government entities and in private arbitration. Importantly, we are regularly recognized by our peers as being some of the top attorneys in our fields of practice.

The Right Experience

While no two cases are alike, the common denominator in all litigation is advocacy. The attorneys at Semenza Rickard Law are first and foremost legal advocates. Adopting a team-based approach and benefiting from a combined total of more than thirty-five years of experience, there is little the partners at Semenza Rickard Law have not faced in the field of litigation. This professional experience includes work with many high-profile clients including Wynn Las Vegas, MGM Resorts International, Stations Casinos, and Landry’s Incorporated. While commercial litigation is our primary focus, our attorneys regularly represent everyone from Fortune 500 companies to individuals in a wide variety of legal matters.

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

Our attorneys have successfully resolved cases involving breach of contract, business torts, landlord/tenant, real estate, mechanic’s liens and other construction matters. We always strive to provide the best results possible in an efficient and cost-effective manner, while maintaining the utmost standards of professional integrity.

PERSONAL INJURY DEFENSE

Our attorneys defend personal injury cases on behalf of businesses both large and small. Because we represent both plaintiffs and defendants in these types of matters we believe that our experience gives our firm an advantage in knowing how the opposing side may litigate a case. When defending a personal injury action, we make sure our clients have the necessary information concerning the strengths and weaknesses of their case to make informed decisions early on in the litigation. This helps to ensure that they receive the best possible resolution.

PERSONAL INJURY PLAINTIFF

Whether you have been hurt in a car or motorcycle accident or injured by someone else’s negligence or intentional act when not on the road, we can help. We understand that an accident is a traumatic and unique experience for each person. One of our goals is to protect the rights of injury victims while minimizing the pressure and stress of dealing with a personal injury lawsuit. Importantly, our firm takes the time to understand your individual needs to better provide you with personalized service throughout the process.

COLLECTION

Semenza Rickard Law is well seasoned in litigating high value collection cases and we represent a number of large gaming corporations in this area of the law. By way of example, if someone has written you a “bad check” or generally owes you money, our attorneys have the knowledge and skill to litigate these types of cases not only to judgment but to seize assets to satisfy the judgment.

Attorneys | Staff

Education:
• J.D., 1999, Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, California
• B.A., 1996, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles,
California

Admissions:
• Nevada
• California
• U.S. District Court, District of Nevada
• U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Email: ljs@semenzarickard.com

Lawrence J. Semenza, III (L.J.)

L.J. earned his undergraduate degree from Loyola Marymount University in 1996, obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a Minor in Business Administration. In 1999, he received his Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. While in law school, he was a Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education Scholarship recipient. L.J. is licensed to practice law in both Nevada and California. He is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Upon graduating from law school, L.J. clerked for the Honorable Philip M. Pro with the United States District Court for the District of Nevada and served as a part-time faculty member at the University of Nevada Las Vegas where he taught Business Law. In 2001, L.J. joined the law firm of Lewis Roca where he worked as a litigation Associate in both state and federal courts. In 2003, he joined Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck (formerly Schreck Brignone), becoming a Shareholder in 2008, where he built a successful commercial litigation practice focused primarily on hotel/casino clients. In January 2011, L.J. started his own law firm and since then has continued to maintain a diverse legal practice in commercial litigation, personal injury, mechanic’s lien litigation, gaming patron disputes and collection matters.

In April of 2016, L.J. formed Semenza Kircher Rickard. In October of 2023, the firm became Semenza Rickard Law. L.J. continues to represent a number of large casino clients, such as Wynn Las Vegas, Station Casinos, and MGM Resorts International, on a wide variety of matters. L.J. also represents plaintiffs in personal injury and class action cases and handles complex commercial litigation matters.  He has extensive trial and appellate experience.

L.J. was also recognized for one of the top 100 Labor and Employment and Class Action settlements in 2020.

L.J. is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest level of professional excellence. He has also been repeatedly selected as one of Southern Nevada’s top attorneys.  Some of his awards include:

  • Mountain States Super Lawyer from 2013-2023
  • Mountain States Super Lawyer Rising Star (for attorneys under the age of 40) for 2009, 2011 and 2012
  • Vegas, Inc. 2013, 2021 – Top Lawyer
  • Nevada Business – 2017 Legal Elite for Commercial litigation, Personal Injury and Collections

Education:
• J.D., 2006, William S. Boyd School of Law, magna cum laude, Las Vegas, Nevada
• B.A., 2001, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada

Admissions:
• Nevada
• Idaho
• U.S. District Court, District of Nevada
• U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Email: jlr@semenzarickard.com

Jarrod L. Rickard

A co-founder and partner in Semenza Rickard Law, Jarrod is a highly skilled civil litigation and trial attorney. Jarrod has extensive experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide variety of disputes, including commercial litigation, land use, employment law, construction disputes, landlord tenant, personal injury, and constitutional challenges in federal and state trial courts, as well as in private arbitration proceedings. Owing to his experience, Jarrod is considered one of the premiere “bet-the-company” litigators in Nevada.

In his practice, Jarrod regularly prosecutes, and defends, various types of claims, including those involving breach of contract, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference, non-competes, trade secrets, negligence, shareholder direct and derivative claims, and intellectual property disputes, as well as judicial review of local land use decisions. Jarrod also has extensive experience representing clients in appeals before the Nevada Supreme Court and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals as well as before local and state government bodies and officials.

A Martindale-Hubbell AV rated attorney, Jarrod is an annual recipient of numerous professional awards, including Mountain State’s Super Lawyer, Nevada’s Top-Rated Attorneys, and Legal Excellence Award.

Before becoming an attorney, Jarrod obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Nevada, graduating with distinction in 2001. Following his undergraduate studies, Jarrod served as an AmeriCorps VISTA, working with the Mercy Housing organization in California. In 2006, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from the UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law where he served on the editorial board of the Nevada Law Journal (Law Review).

Education:
• J.D., 2018, UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law, Las Vegas, Nevada
• B.A., 2014, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada

Email: klc@semenzarickard.com

Katie L. Cannata

Katie is an Associate with Semenza Rickard Law and assists with the representation of both corporate and individual clients in variety of disputes, including collections, commercial litigation, contract disputes, landlord/tenant issues and personal injury.

Katie was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada and graduated summa cum laude from University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2014, obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism with a Minor in Political Science.  In 2018, Katie received her Juris Doctorate degree with honors from UNLV’s William S. Boyd School of Law.  During her time at Boyd, she served as a Lead Articles Editor of UNLV’s Gaming Law Journal, and earned CALI Awards in both gaming law and comparative gaming.  She also worked with the Thomas and Mack Legal Clinic’s Education Advocacy Program, advocating for the educational rights of children with disabilities in the public school system.

Katie is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.  She was selected as a Super Lawyers Mountain States Rising Star in 2023.

Education:
• Associates of Arts Degree in Paralegal Studies - Las Vegas College 2001

Email: oak@semenzarickard.com

Olivia A. Kelly

Olivia is a Senior Litigation Paralegal with more than 20 years of experience who is passionate about the firm’s clients. Olivia has worked for several prominent law firms here in Las Vegas and has handled diverse cases with a wide range of clients, all of which have contributed to her professional growth and knowledge in the legal field. In May of 2011, Olivia joined the firm as a Paralegal.

She has extensive knowledge and experience working in many different areas of the law including:

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Collections
  • Personal Injury
  • Bankruptcy
  • Civil/Employee Benefits
  • Criminal Law
  • Wills/Trusts
  • Family Law
  • Traffic

Education:
• Associates of Arts Degree in Paralegal Studies – Las Vegas College 2001

Email: alb@semenzarickard.com

Angie Barreras

Angie is a Senior Litigation Paralegal with more than 20 years of experience, including experience as a translator for various court proceedings. Over the course of her career, she worked for a number of different Las Vegas law firms as well as with the Pima County Justice Court in Arizona. Angie is passionate about helping others, which is reflected in her tireless dedication to the firm’s clients. Angie joined the firm in May of 2018.

Her experience and knowledge include:

  • Bankruptcy (Personal and Business)
  • Civil Litigation
  • Collections
  • Criminal Law
  • Personal Injury
  • Traffic