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Am. First Fed. Credit Union V. Soro, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 73 (Sep. 24, 2014), Katherine Maher

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court determined that a contract clause in which the parties “submit themselves to the jurisdiction of” another state, without more exclusive language, is permissive and does not result in a mandatory forum selection clause.

William Nathan Baxter V. Dignity Health, Et Al, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 76 (September 24, 2015), Andrea Orwoll

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court considered an appeal from a district court order dismissing a medical malpractice complaint. The Court held that because NRS § 41A.071 creates threshold requirements for bringing medical malpractice suits, it must be construed consistently with the liberal pleading requirements. The Court reversed and remanded.

Benson V. State Engineer, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 409 (Sep. 24, 2015), Cassandra Ramey

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court held that NRS § 533.395 requires a party seeking relief from the cancellation of a water permit to exhaust all available administrative remedies before seeking judicial review, even if the State Engineer is not authorized to provide the particular remedy that the party seeks. If the State Engineer is authorized by NRS § 533.395 to provide a party with a remedy, then the doctrine of futility does not apply to excuse the NRS § 533.394(4) exhaustion requirement. Therefore, the party must first show that the administrative process would afford him or her “no relief at all” before seeking …

Watson Rounds V. Eighth Jud. Dist. Ct., 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 79 (Sept. 24, 2015), Lena Rieke

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

NRS 7.085 allows a district court to make an attorney personally liable for the attorney fees and costs an opponent incurs when the attorney files, maintains or defends a civil action that is not well-grounded in fact or is not warranted by existing law or by a good faith argument for changing the existing law. The Court considered (1) whether NRCP 11 supersedes NRS 7.085 in sanctioning a law firm and (2) whether the district court abused its discretion in sanctioning the law firm under under NRS 7.085. The Court held NRCP 11 does not supersede NRS § 7.085 because …

Land Baron Invs. V. Bonnie Springs Family Lp, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 69 (Sept. 17, 2015), Rob Schmidt

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

This case is an appeal arising from a failed land sale contract. The Court considered three issues of first impression, holding that (1) when a party bears the risk, mutual mistake is not a basis for rescission; (2) an abuse of process claim may not be supported by a complaint to an administrative agency; (3) a nuisance claim seeking only emotional distress damages must be supported by proof of physical harm. Ultimately, The Court affirmed in part and reversed in part.

State V. Merlino, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 65 (Sept. 10, 2015), Brittany L. Shipp

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The issue before the Court was whether selling stolen property through a retractable sliding tray on a pawn shop’s drive-through window satisfied the element of unlawful entry of a building as defined in the burglary statute. The Court held that when the outer boundary of a building is not self-evident from the shape and contours of the structure itself, courts must apply California’s “reasonable belief” test which legally defines the outer boundary to include, “any element that encloses an area into which a reasonable person would believe that a member of the general public could not pass without authorization.”

In Re Parental Rights As To A.P.M., 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 66 (Sept. 10, 2015), Douglas H. Smith

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

On appeal from an order for termination of parental rights, the Nevada Supreme Court held, by a vote of 4-2, that (1) the district court may terminate parental rights notwithstanding a completed case plan for reunification if the decision is otherwise warranted under NRS §128.105; that (2) the court need not wait a full 20 months to apply the statutory presumptions of NRS §128.109(1)(a) and NRS §128.109(2) if a child has been removed from his or her parents’ home pursuant to Chapter 32B for at least 14 months of any consecutive 20-month period; and that (3) upon application of these …

Bergenfield V. Bac Home Loans Servicing, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 68 (Sep. 10, 2015), Chelsea Stacey

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court held that when a district court dismisses a complaint but gives the plaintiff leave to amend the order it is not a final appealable judgment. In order for it to be a final appealable judgment, a plaintiff must give the district court written notice within 30 days that the plaintiff will not amend the complaint so the district court may enter a final, appealable order.

Tate V. State, Bd. Of Med. Exam’Rs, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 67 (Sep. 10, 2015), Nancy Snow

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court considers an appeal from a district court order denying an injunction challenging the constitutionality of a statute prohibiting stay of Board of Medical Examiners decision. The Court revered and remanded the district court’s order because the statute prohibiting district courts from entering a stay of a decision of the Board of Medical Examiners pending judicial review violates the separation of powers doctrine as a matter of first impression.

State V. Smith, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 63 (Sept. 3, 2015), Jessie Vargas

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

Defendant Terrance Reed Smith entered a no contest plea to one count of child abuse resulting in substantial bodily harm. The Supreme Court of Nevada held Smith’s plea was involuntary because the plea was made in response to acts of coercion by the Washoe County Department of Social Services (“DDS”).

Frazier V. Drake, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 64 (Sep. 3, 2015), Adrian Viesca

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court of Appeals determined that (1) when three of the good-faith Beattie factors weigh in favor of the party that rejected the offer of judgment, the reasonableness of the fees requested by the offeror becomes irrelevant, and cannot, by itself, support a decision to award attorney fees to the offeror and (2) expert witness fees in excess of $1,500 now have factors to take into consideration in awarding such fees.

Cassinelli V. State Of Nevada, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 62 131(Aug. 27, 2015), Mackenzie Warren

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court of Appeals determined that (1) the district court erred by ruling that Cassinelli was not eligible for alcohol treatment under NRS § 458.300(1)(d); (2) the district court did not abuse its discretion by denying Cassinelli’s request for assignment to a program of treatment; (3) the plea agreement was not breached and the prosecutor did not engage in misconduct at sentencing; (4) the district court did not err by refusing Cassinelli an opportunity to cross-examine the victim during her impact statement at sentencing; (5) Cassinelli’s sentence was illegal.

Mensah V. Corevel Corp., 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 60 (Aug. 06, 2015), Jaymes Orr

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court held self-employed workers may still be entitled to temporary disability and the employee’s lost wages should be calculated by considering business income and losses and not strictly evidence of a traditional salary

Barbara Ann Hollier Trust V. Shack, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 59 (August 6, 2015), Patrick Phippen

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

On an issue of first impression, the Nevada Supreme Court held that the filing of a post-judgement motion which tolls the time to appeal also tolls NRCP 54(d)(2)(B)’s 20-day deadline to move for attorney fees. The Court further concluded that (a) the $100,000 offset in Hollier’s favor was not extinguished by the Court’s previous order and (b) only Acadian Realty is liable for attorney fees.

Double Diamond V. Second Jud. Dist. Ct., 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 57 (July 30, 2015), Janine Lee

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

NRS 116.3105(2) permits homeowners associations to terminate contracts at any time if the declarant did not enter into the contract in good faith or if the contract was unconscionable to the units’ owners at the time of contract formation.[1] The statute requires that an association provide at least 90 days notice of termination under this provision. The 90-day notice period in NRS 116.3105(2) does not operate as a statute of limitations nor does it shift the burden to a notice recipient to file an action. Instead, NRS 11.190 is applicable, resulting in either a four-year or six-year statute of …

State V. Harris, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 56, Ashleigh Wise

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court held that it has the jurisdiction to consider an appeal by the State from an order granting a prejudgment motion for a new trial in a criminal matter because the plain language of NRS 177.015(1)(b) authorizes such an appeal and because unique policy concerns identified in State v. Lewis[1] do not apply.

[1] 124 Nev. 132, 136, 178 P.3d 146, 148 (2008).

Johnson V. State Of Nevada, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 58, Joseph Meissner

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court heard an appeal from a sentence and conviction following a jury trial of one count of conspiracy to commit robbery, two counts of robbery, and one count of battery with intent to commit a crime. Affirmed.

In Re Montierth, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 55, Walter Fick

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court held that the separation of a promissory note, held by a principal, and the deed of trust, held by an agent of the principal, does not render either instrument “void,” or require the reunification of the note and the deed of trust in order to foreclose. The Court further held that, under Nevada law and in the case of a contractual principal-agent relationship, the recordation of an assignment of a deed of trust is a “ministerial act.”

Summary Of Barral V. State, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 52 (July 23, 2015), Aleem Dhalla

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

Defendant Dustin James Barral was convicted of two counts of sexual assault with a minor under 14 years of age by a jury. The Supreme Court of Nevada held that the trial court committed a structural error by failing to administer an oath or affrimation to the jury panel prior to commencing voir dire. This error required reversal and a new trial.

Sanders V. Sears-Page, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 50, Scott Lundy

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court held that the district court erred in deciding not to strike an empaneled juror whose background implied bias, but who promised he could remain impartial. Moreover, the Court held the district court erred in allowing challenges for cause while the juror was present, and by allowing newly discovered evidence to be entered into evidence on the final day of trial.

Summary Of D&D Tire, Inc., V. Ouellette, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 47 (Jul. 02, 2015), Jaymes Orr

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court held that a subcontractor or independent contractor is not immune to liability for workplace injuries if the work being performed is a specialized repair. Ouellette was injured by an employee of Purcell while performing a task that would not be considered a specialized repair. The employee, however, was only present on the job site because of a specialized repair. The Court, however, held that the activity leading to the injury must be considered in context and the employee would not have been present but for the repair.

Summary Of Biscay V. Mgm Resorts Int’L., 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 46 (July 2, 2015), Patrick Phippen

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court concluded dismissal is not proper under NRS 18.130(4) when a non-resident plaintiff files security with the court clerk for the defendant’s costs when the required security is filed any time prior to the action being dismissed.

Summary Of Beau Davis V. Andrea Ewalefo, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 45 (July 02, 2015), Daven Cameron

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

On appeal from a child custody decree, the Court found the District Court did not have specific findings of fact to support the restriction of travel and visitation outside of the United States and its territories. The Court granted en banc reconsideration, reversed and remanded the case for further fact finding considerations concerning whether the minor child can safely travel overseas for parental visitation.

Summary Of C. Nicholas Pereos, Ltd. V. Bank Of America, N.A., 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 61553 (July 2, 2015), Stacy Newman

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court considers an appeal from a district court summary judgment in a tort case concerning losses sustained due to unauthorized activity in a customer’s bank account. The Court reversed the grant of summary judgment because genuine issues of material fact exist regarding whether respondent Bank of America acted reasonably in delivering bank statements, and also because the appellant’s suit was not time barred under a one year period of repose.

Summary Of State V. Beaudion, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 48 (Jul. 2, 2015), Michael S. Valiente

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

NRS 172.241 affords the target of a grand jury investigation the opportunity to testify before them unless, after holding “a closed hearing on the matter,” the district court determines that adequate cause exists to withhold target notice. NRS 172.241(3) specifies that “[t]he district attorney may apply to the court for a determination that adequate cause exists to withhold notice, if the district attorney.... [d]etermines” that the target poses a flight risk, cannot be located or, as relevant here, “that the notice may endanger the life or property of other persons.” Accordingly, NRS 172.241’s procedure for withholding notice is met if …

Summary Of Excellence Cmty. Mgmt. V. Gilmore, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 38 (June 25, 2015), Ashleigh Wise

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court held the sale of a 100 percent membership interest in a limited liability company does not affect the enforcement of an employee’s employment contract containing a restrictive covenant because the sale does not create a new entity. An employer limited liability company may enforce a restrictive covenant in an employment contract without its employee’s consent of assignment.

Summary Of Dep't Of Taxation V. Kawahara., 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 42 (June 25, 2015), Janine Lee

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

A recorded tax lien has the effect of a judgment lien under NRS 360.473(2) and therefore, cannot have the effect or priority of a mortgage lien. The common law rule of “first in time, first in right” applies to lien priority when a valid deed of trust is attached to a property, thus creating a security interest, prior to the recording of a tax lien; even if not recorded until after the tax lien.

Summary Of Nevada Department Of Transportation V. Eighth Jud. Dist. Ct., 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 41 (June 25, 2015), Jessica Gandy

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court determined, pursuant to the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Nevada Constitution, there was no taking of Ad America’s property because the Nevada Department of Transportation publicly disclosed its plan to comply with federal law, the City independently acquired property that was part of Project Neon, and the City rendered land use application decisions conditioned on coordination with the Nevada Department of Transportation for purposes of Project Neon.

Summary Of Alper V. Eighth Jud. Dist. Ct., 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 43 (June 26, 2015), Scott Lundy

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court held that the district court’s order finding the judgment debtor in contempt but allowing him to purge by participating in a debtor’s examination exceeded the scope of the bankruptcy court’s lift stay order because a contempt order that permits a judgment debtor to purge incarceration is civil, not criminal, in nature.

Summary Of Lisle V. State, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 39 (June 25, 2015), Adam Wynott

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

The Court held that the petitions filed by the appellant, Kevin James Lisle (Lisle), were procedurally barred. The Court determined that a petitioner cannot present new evidence of mitigating circumstances in order to prove actual innocence of the death penalty. The Court determined that the claims of Lisle did not warrant relief and upheld the district court ruling.