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Paola Armeni

Member
fax +1 702.862.8400

Paola Armeni litigates civil rights actions and criminal defense cases. She protects individuals whose constitutional rights have been violated and defends those accused of crimes.

Paola advocates for her clients to obtain the best results. She maintains a good rapport with her clients through continual communication and sincere client service. Paola leaves no stone unturned and through a complete approach to her cases, she excels in securing positive results for her clients. Paola’s clients appreciate her approach because she is candid and compassionate.

Paola serves as the Member-in-Charge of the firm’s Las Vegas office, where she strives to uphold an efficient and positive office environment.

Recognitions

2024 “Lawyer of the Year” Award Recipient in Criminal Defense: General Practice, Las Vegas

William S. Boyd School of Law – Student Bar Association – Legacy of Service Award (2023)

National Conference of Bar Presidents (NCBP) President’s Page Award for the Column “Pick up the Phone and Show Some Compassion,” 2023

Named among Mountain States Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters (2009-2024)

Martindale Hubbell – Rated AV Preeminent (2023, 2024)

Named among The Best Lawyers in America® – Civil Rights Law (2017-2025), Commercial Litigation (2023-2025), Criminal Defense: General Practice (2027-2025), Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2018-2025) by Best Lawyers

Selected as one of the top attorneys in Nevada and recognized in the Nevada Business Magazine as a Legal Elite from 2012 – 2013 and 2021 (among only 1% of Nevada attorneys to receive this distinction)

Selected as the recipient of the Myrna Williams Children’s Pro Bono Award by the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada (This award is given in honor of Myrna Williams, and recognizes an attorney who has done an extraordinary job in giving a voice to our communities’ most vulnerable victims.)

Received the “40 Under 40” Award from the Las Vegas Business Press (2012) and received the inaugural Young Lawyer of the Year Award from the State Bar of Nevada (2011)

Selected to the Mountain States Super Lawyers list (2014 – 2021); she was selected to the Mountain States Rising Stars list (2009 – 2013)

Received the inaugural William S. Boyd School of Law 2008 College Alumni of the Year

Received the Legal Excellence Award from Vegas Legal Magazine (2018)

Recognized multiple times as a member of the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada “50 Hours Club” and “100 Hours Club” for her donated service

Appointed over the years to sit on several Merit Selection Panels for the Appointment and Re-Appointment of Magistrate Judges in the District of Nevada. In 2018, she was appointed Chairperson of the Merit Selection Panel that appointed two new Magistrate Judges and shortly thereafter in 2019 was again appointed Chairperson of the Merit Selection panel for the Re-Appointment of Magistrate Judge Koppe. She is the first woman to be appointed to the Chair position in the District of Nevada.

Selected as one of Nevada Business Magazine‘s, Top 50 Up & Coming Attorneys (2012), as well as a VEGAS INC. Top Lawyer

Memberships

Advisory Board Member – Zo’s Bravehearts Foundation

2024 Clark Hill Pro Bono Attorney

Member of Vegas Chamber Executive Women’s Council

Member of Nevada Judicial Branch Security Commission

Member of the Justice Douglas Pre-Law Fellowship Program Board 2022 – Present

Past President, Board of Governors, State Bar of Nevada

Member, American Bar Association

Past Chair, State Bar of Nevada’s Young Lawyer’s Section

Past President, William S. Boyd School of Law Alumni Association

Past President and Current Board Member, Nevada Attorneys for Criminal Justice

Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Judge, Nevada High School Mock Trial Competition

State Bar Licenses

Nevada
  • Represented a client in a civil rights action where the jury awarded in excess of 2 million dollars in damages; Ninth Circuit affirmed the judgment.
  • Represented a client in a civil rights action where the jury awarded a damage award in excess of $100,000 including punitive damages; Ninth Circuit affirmed the judgment.
  • Represented a client in a civil rights action before the Ninth Circuit and successfully defended the denial of summary judgment by the district court judge.
  • Represented a client charged with murder; client was acquitted.
  • Represented a client charged with activities related to mortgage fraud. Despite a 46-month sentence recommended, was able to obtain a sentence with no jail time.
  • Represented a client charged with social security fraud, client received probationary sentence.
  • Represented a client charged with attempted murder; client acquitted on attempted murder charge and received probation on remaining counts.
  • Represented a client in mortgage fraud case where the government was recommending a 12-month sentence of incarceration, client received one month of incarceration.
  • Represented a client in a drug case where she was successful in suppressing all evidence seized resulting in a dismissal of the case.

Articles

  • Author, “David v. Goliath, The Battle against Law Enforcement,” Nevada Lawyer, March 2015
  • Author, “Ten Quick Tips to Become an Effective Criminal Lawyer,” Communique, March 2014
  • Author, “Campaign Finances – But I Want to Give More! The Struggle Between the First Amendment and Corruption,” Nevada Business Magazine, November 2013
Presentations
  • 2023 Nevada Department of Indigent Defense Services Annual Conference – Legal Representation and Ethics of Billing
  • State Bar of Nevada Young Lawyers’ Section – 2023 Trial Academy – Ethics for the Trial Attorney
  • Idaho Trial Lawyers Association – October 2023 – Civility for the Trial Attorney
  • Speaker, “Trial Academy – Themes and Theories,” 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020
  • Speaker, “Defending the Modern Drug Case,” 12th Annual Seminar, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, September 19, 2019
  • Speaker, “Fee Agreements,” Sexual Assault Conference, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2019
  • Speaker, “Fines, Forfeitures, and Restitution,” White Collar Conference, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2019
  • Speaker, “White Collar Conference Getting Below the White Collar Sentencing Guidelines,” 2017
  • Presenter, “Bills that Became Law – 2017 Legislative – Criminal Update webinar, State Bar of Nevada, 2017
  • Speaker, “Collateral Consequences for Drug Crimes,” National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2016
  • Speaker, “Women in the Law,” Leadership Nevada Summer Institute, 2016
  • Speaker, “Defending the Modern Drug Case – Fees,” National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, October 2015
  • Speaker, “Defending the Modern Drug Case – Suppressing the Evidence,” National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, September 2014
  • Speaker, White Collar Conference, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, June 2014
  • Speaker, “White Collar Roundtable Program,” Association of Federal Defense Attorneys (AFDA), May 30, 2014
  • Speaker, “Woman in the Law,” State Bar of Nevada, January 2013
  • Panel Moderator, “Civil rights panel,” 2012
  • Speaker, “Defending the Modern Drug Case – Collateral Consequences,” National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, November 2011