Attorneys


JOHN E. LEACH | DAVID G. JOHNSON | EDWARD J. SONG | KIRBY C. GRUCHOW, JR.
SEAN L. ANDERSON | NICOLE GURALNY | AMY L. BRAUDIS | M. SAMI BAKDASH
RYAN W. REED, ESQ.

Paralegals


HEATHER L. KELLEY | MERLIN A. CALIMPONG | GWENN A. LEHRMAN
AMBER D. HERNANDEZ | LISA J. WRIGHT

JOHN E. LEACH

John E. Leach, Esq. is an AV Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated shareholder with Leach Johnson Song & Gruchow. Mr. Leach's practice area focuses on representation of common-interest communities, property management and development, and real estate. From 1990 to 1995, Mr. Leach served on the Board of Directors for Community Association Institute of Southern Nevada, serving as president of the organization in 1995. Mr. Leach is currently serving another term on the Board of Directors (2006-2008). From 1996-2005, Mr. Leach served as a member of the organization's Legislative Action Committee. In addition, Mr. Leach has been an instructor at the Community College of Southern Nevada in business law and constitutional law courses and currently teaches a course on Community Association Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Mr. Leach regularly speaks at seminars on the subject of NRS 116 (Uniform Common-Interest Ownership Act) and other association issues. Mr. Leach previously served on the North Las Vegas Citizen's Advisory Council. From 1999-2002 and 2007-2008, Mr. Leach served as a co-host of the television show "Homeowner Talk," airing on KCLV2, Cable Channel 2 in Las Vegas and C-TV3 in Reno, beginning January, 2008. The program offered free advice and information from guests who are experts in fields such as roofing, soils, indoor air quality, housing construction, laws governing homeowners associations and other subjects that interest homeowners.

Mr. Leach received his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from J. Reuben Clark Law School in 1985. Mr. Leach served on the Brigham Young University Law Review. Mr. Leach received his Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from Brigham Young University in 1982.

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DAVID G. JOHNSON

David G. Johnson, Esq. is a shareholder with Leach Johnson Song & Gruchow. Mr. Johnson's practice area focuses on representation of common-interest communities, property management and development, land use, real estate and numerous business organizations, and involvement with insurance organizations in Nevada and California. From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Johnson served on the Board of Directors for Community Association Institute of Southern Nevada, serving as President of the organization in 1997. Mr. Johnson also served as a member of the organization's Legislative Action Committee. Mr. Johnson has been an instructor at the Community College of Southern Nevada in business law and constitutional law courses.

Mr. Johnson represents numerous common-interest communities throughout Southern Nevada. Mr. Johnson also serves as judge protem for the Henderson Municipal Court system. Mr. Johnson currently sits on the Board of Directors for a number of insurance companies in Nevada and California. In 2000, Mr. Johnson began one of the first worker's compensation based insurance companies in California and is now involved in management of five similar companies.

Mr. Johnson received his Juris Doctor from J. Reuben Clark Law School in 1990, and his Bachelor of Arts from Brigham Young University in 1987.

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EDWARD J. SONG

Edward J. Song, Esq. is a shareholder with Leach Johnson Song & Gruchow. Mr. Song practices exclusively in the area of common-interest community association law, providing general corporate counsel and advice to community associations. Prior to joining Leach Johnson Song & Gruchow, Mr. Song, in connection with his representation of community associations, had represented numerous Nevada homeowners and community associations in resolving construction defect claims and now draws on that background in providing corporate representation to community associations.

Mr. Song frequently lectures on topics relevant to common-interest communities and is certified, through the Nevada Division of Real Estate, to teach classes on community association law to community managers, association board members and homeowners. In addition, Mr. Song currently teaches a course on Construction Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

Mr. Song's opinions regarding issues facing community associations have been solicited and featured in both the Las Vegas Review Journal and the Las Vegas Sun along with national media outlets, including the Associated Press and the Wall Street Journal.

Mr. Song received his Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California (USC) in 2000, and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1995.

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KIRBY C. GRUCHOW, JR.

Kirby C. Gruchow, Jr., Esq. is a shareholder with Leach Johnson Song & Gruchow. Mr. Gruchow's practice areas include civil/commercial litigation, eminent domain, real estate, common-interest community law (including NRS Chapter 116 associations and NRS Chapter 119A timeshare associations), and creditor rights in bankruptcy. Mr. Gruchow has appeared before the Nevada Supreme Court, Eighth Judicial District Court (Clark County), U.S. Federal District Court, and U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Court, and represented clients before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and Federal Bankruptcy Appellate Panel- Ninth Circuit.

Mr. Gruchow has represented numerous single family, commercial and timeshare common-interest communities as corporate counsel as well as litigation counsel in matters pending before the Eighth Judicial District Court, the Commission for Common-Interest Communities and hearing panels appointed by the Commission, including Administrative Law Judges, and mediators and arbitrators in the NRS Chapter 38 alternative dispute resolution process. Mr. Gruchow has represented numerous clients in various alternative dispute resolution venues and in administrative settings, including in administration matters before the EPA, the Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management and Nevada Petroleum Fund.

Mr. Gruchow has served as eminent domain counsel for private property owners as well as condemning authorities, including currently serving as eminent domain counsel for Nevada Power Company, and having served as eminent domain counsel for the City of North Las Vegas for over 8 years and for the State of Nevada, on behalf of its Department of Transportation, for over 5 years. Mr. Gruchow regularly speaks at seminars on eminent domain issues. Mr. Gruchow has represented creditor rights in bankruptcy, including representation of common interest communities as well as institutional creditors in high profile bankruptcies involving debtors such as the Resort at Summerlin/Regent Las Vegas Hotel & Casino (now known as JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort, Spa & Golf), National Airlines, Mirant Corporation and American Home Mortgage.

Mr. Gruchow received his Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School, with honors, in 1998, and his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Economics from University of Northern Iowa, with honors, in 1995. Mr. Gruchow served on the Drake University Law Review.

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SEAN L. ANDERSON

Sean L. Anderson, Esq. is an associate with Leach Johnson Song & Gruchow. Mr. Anderson's practice areas include civil/commercial litigation, real estate litigation, and common-interest community law. Mr. Anderson has represented clients in litigation matters in many courts in the State of Nevada and Washington, including the Supreme Court of Nevada, Eighth Judicial District Court, United States Court for the District of Nevada, and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Anderson has also represented numerous clients in various alternative dispute resolution venues, including matters before the American Arbitration Association, the Nevada Real Estate Division, mediators and arbitrators in the NRS Chapter 38 alternative dispute resolution process, and the Commission for Common-Interest Communities and hearing panels appointed by the Commission, including Administrative Law Judges. Mr. Anderson also represents many single family and commercial common-interest communities as corporate counsel.

Mr. Anderson represented several clients in high profile matters in Nevada, including successfully representing Exxon-Mobile Corp. adversely to the Venetian Hotel & Casino, Donald Trump adversely to Steve Wynn, the Nevada Retail Gaming Association in an action to strike certain advisory questions from the Clark County ballot, and assisting in the successful defense of the constitutionality of Nevada's Standing Commission on Election practices before the Ninth Circuit and the Nevada Supreme Court.

Mr. Anderson received his Juris Doctor from the Gonzaga University School of Law, magna cum laude, in 1997, and his Bachelor of Science from the University of Utah in 1994.

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NICOLE GURALNY

Nicole Guralny, Esq. is an associate with Leach Johnson Song & Gruchow. Ms. Guralny's practice areas include common interest community law, civil/commercial Litigation, real estate, professional responsibility of realtors, and premise liability. Ms. Guralny is a member of the State Bar of Nevada and the Clark County Bar Association. Ms. Guralny has represented common-interest communities as corporate counsel as well as litigation counsel in matters pending before the Eighth Judicial District Court, and mediators and arbitrators in the NRS Chapter 38 alternative dispute resolution process. Ms. Guralny has also represented real estate companies and other corporations in litigation before the Nevada Supreme Court, Eighth Judicial District Court, and Second Judicial District Court.

Ms. Guralny was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Ms. Guralny and her family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she ran and operated her family's Gourmet Shop and Restaurant, while attending the University of New Mexico. After selling the business, Ms. Guralny finished her undergraduate degree at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Ms. Guralny received her Bachelor of Arts with a double major in political science and psychology in 1996. Ms. Guralny received her Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1999. While in law school, she took part in the elder law clinic, where she represented indigent clients in guardianship hearings and arbitrations.

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AMY L. BRAUDIS

Amy L. Braudis, Esq. is an associate with Leach Johnson Song & Gruchow. Ms. Braudis is licensed in Nevada and Missouri and her practice areas include common-interest community law, real estate, eminent domain, and administrative law. Prior to joining Leach Johnson Song & Gruchow, Ms. Braudis served as an Assistant Attorney General in Missouri, representing many of the state's regulatory and licensing agencies, including the Board of Registration for Healing Arts and the Department of Health. Ms. Braudis handled litigation in all levels of federal and state courts and in state administrative hearings before the Administrative Hearing Commission.

While in law school, Ms. Braudis served as a trained Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children, investigating cases of abused and neglected children in the Family Court System, and making recommendations to the court for the children's long-term welfare. She also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and served on the Student Bar Association.

Ms. Braudis received her Juris Doctor from St. Louis University School of Law, in 2005, and her Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs from Indiana University, with distinction, in 2001.

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M. SAMI BAKDASH

M. Sami Bakdash is an associate with Leach Johnson Song & Gruchow. Mr. Bakdash's practice areas include community association law, real estate law, intellectual property/trademark law, entertainment law, and corporate structure and governance law. In 2006, Mr. Bakdash was admitted to practice law in Nevada, and was admitted to practice law in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada in 2008. Throughout his career, Mr. Bakdash has represented and defended several major casinos and corporations in state and federal court in relation to employment discrimination, business litigation, premises liability, and other complex litigation cases. He has also served as corporate counsel for many local businesses and companies, where he counseled senior executives, officers, directors and managers regarding the legal implications of corporate transactions and sound corporate governance. Drawing upon his music, theater, and entertainment background, Mr. Bakdash currently serves as an independent talent manager for several artists, bands, and other entertainment personnel.

While in law school, Mr. Bakdash was a legal extern for a federal magistrate judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Mr. Bakdash was also a student associate for a law school legal clinic, where he assisted low income tax payers settle their disputes with the IRS. For his community service efforts, Mr. Bakdash was awarded the Duquesne University Pro Bono Certificate of Recognition.

Mr. Bakdash is fluent in Arabic, and loves to travel, read, and play music in this spare time.

Mr. Bakdash received his Juris Doctor from Duquesne University School of Law in 2006 and his bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Texas Tech University, cum laude, in 2002.

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RYAN W. REED, ESQ.

Ryan W. Reed, Esq. is an associate with Leach Johnson Song & Gruchow. Mr. Reed is licensed in Nevada and his practice areas include civil/commercial litigation, real estate litigation, and common-interest community law. Mr. Reed is a member of the State Bar of Nevada and the Clark County Bar Association.

Mr. Reed earned his B.S. from the University of Utah and received his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2009. During law school, Mr. Reed was a staff editor and comment editor on the Texas Tech Administrative Law Journal. He also clerked at several law offices in Utah and Texas, gaining valuable experience in wide ranging civil matters, from bankruptcy, to immigration law, to personal injury law.


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HEATHER L. KELLEY

Heather L. Kelley is a paralegal with Leach Johnson Song & Gruchow. Ms. Kelley has over 16 years experience in the following practice areas: civil/commercial litigation, eminent domain, real estate, common-interest community law, creditor rights in bankruptcy, corporate, healthcare, environmental, and family law. Ms. Kelley has assisted attorneys in numerous venues including the U.S. Supreme Court, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, Nevada Supreme Court, Second Judicial District Court (Washoe County, Nevada), Eighth Judicial District Court (Clark County, Nevada), U.S. Federal District Court (Nevada and Alabama), U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Court, Alabama District Court (Jefferson County, Alabama), District Attorney's Office (Canon City, Colorado), and Fourth Judicial District Court (EI Paso County, Colorado). Ms. Kelley has worked closely with attorneys representing clients, including City of North Las Vegas, State of Nevada on relation of its Department of Transportation, Tenet Healthcare Systems, and Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

Ms. Kelley received her Paralegal Degree, with honors, from California Coast College in 1991.

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MERLIN A. CALIMPONG

Merlin A. Calimpong is a paralegal with Leach Johnson Song & Gruchow. Since 1997, Ms. Calimpong worked closely with Mr. Leach in real estate matters, primarily focused on common-interest communities. Ms. Calimpong has also assisted partners and associates with the lien and foreclosure process, rule and regulation drafting and revision, updates on recent changes in the laws affecting common-interest communities, Nevada Real Estate Division Alternate/Dispute Resolution process, and litigation matters in The Nevada Supreme Court, Eighth Judicial District Court (Clark County) and Justice Courts.

Ms. Calimpong was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. Ms. Calimpong relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1996. Ms. Calimpong received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1998.

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GWENN A. LEHRMAN

Gwenn A. Lehrman is a paralegal with Leach Johnson Song & Gruchow. Ms. Lehrman began her legal career in construction defect litigation in tandem with assisting in general counsel work on behalf of homeowner associations in Nevada. During this time, Ms. Lehrman worked closely with homeowners, association managers, and participated in CAI events and functions. Continuing to diversify her portfolio, Ms. Lehrman subsequently worked for a prominent national home builder, providing the opportunity to initiate and maintain solid relationships with numerous common-interest community contacts.

Ms. Lehrman received her Bachelor of Sciences degree in Education from Dowling College in 1992, and her Paralegal Certificate from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2003.

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AMBER D. HERNANDEZ

Amber D. Hernandez is a paralegal with Leach Johnson Song & Gruchow. Ms. Hernandez assists with homeowner association delinquent assessment accounts in the Foreclosure and Lien Department.

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LISA J. WRIGHT

Lisa J. Wright is a paralegal with Leach Johnson Song & Gruchow. Ms. Wright began her legal career in construction defect litigation and has experience in the following practice areas: civil litigation, medical malpractice, and personal injury. Ms. Wright assists the partners and associates with Homeowner Association litigation.

Ms. Wright received her Paralegal Certificate from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2004.

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Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the Judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell Ratings fall into two categories - legal ability and general ethical standards.