Media Center

Martindale-Hubbell honors MAC Law attorney with preeminent peer ranking

2012-03-07T02:03:19+00:00

It took top bankruptcy attorney and recent MAC Law hire Zachariah Larson no time at all to achieve the nation’s highest ranking from his peers.

The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rankings recently honored Larson with their preeminent “AV” ranking – a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence.

This ultimate ranking from Martindale-Hubbell, which is the recognized authority on the legal profession, was bestowed upon Larson in his first months of eligibility and indicate his high ethical standards and professional ability, generated from evaluations of lawyers by other members of the bar and the judiciary.

Larson, a rising star in the legal profession and one of the nation’s top bankruptcy attorneys, said he was honored by the ranking that now places him in the upper echelon among America’s most trusted lawyers.

“I’m humbled and thrilled to be thought of so highly by my peers,” said Larson. “The folks at MAC Law believed in me and have given me the tools I need to excel, and I’m personally so proud of this achievement.”

Larson’s “AV” ranking is indicative overall of the quality of legal representation and commitment to clients that have always been the hallmarks of MAC Law, itself ranked as an “AV” firm by Martindale-Hubbell.

“As trusted counselors, MAC Law only makes the best possible additions to our team,” said firm Managing Partner Terry Coffing. “While we congratulate Zach for his achievement, we’re not surprised that his peers have bestowed this ultimate ranking upon him. In fact, his sterling work and impeccable reputation were chief reasons why we brought him on board at MAC Law. We know Zach will continue to achieve stunning achievements in the future, and we’re so proud to have him as a member of the MAC Law family.”

Larson's years of experience representing clientele from land developers to commercial businesses to startup companies has cemented his reputation as one of the nation's most trusted attorneys in bankruptcy matters, having achieved the elite AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, as well as having been recognized by Nevada Business Magazine as one of the Top 100 Attorneys in Southern Nevada in 2011, a Mountain States Super Lawyer 2011, a Mountain States Rising Star 2010, a Mountain States Rising Star 2009, and one of Nevada Rising Stars in 2008.

A member in excellent standing with the State Bar of Nevada since 2001, Mr. Larson also served as President of the Clark County Bar Association from January 2011 to December 2011, in addition to numerous CCBA and Clark County Law Foundation committees, including Trial By Peers, New Attorneys, and Community Service.

He is currently a member of the American Bar Association's House of Delegates and a Life Fellow with the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation. He is a past member and former instructor for the State Bar of Nevada's Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee.

About MAC Law: The law firm of Marquis Aurbach Coffing has earned a reputation for superior service, integrity and commitment. Established in 1979, the firm provides a broad range of services, with an emphasis on litigation, real estate, business transactions, construction law and asset protection.

Marquis Aurbach Coffing has the highest ranking available – "AV- Rating" – according to Martindale-Hubbell, the recognized authority on the legal profession. This rating recognizes Marquis Aurbach Coffing as having "very high to preeminent legal ability and very high ethical standards."

U.S. News & World Report names MAC Law one of nation's top law firms

2012-03-07T01:50:07+00:00

LAS VEGAS – U.S. News & World Report has named the Las Vegas powerhouse firm of Marquis Aurbach Coffing as one of the nation’s top firms in both corporate and real estate law.

The honor, officially titled “U.S. News & World Report – Best Lawyers – Best Law Firms” recognizes the firm for its excellence in its so-called Tier 2 covering Las Vegas firms that practice corporate and real estate law.

But nationwide honors are nothing new for Marquis Aurbach Coffing, which now goes by the moniker MAC Law. The firm already enjoys the highest ranking a firm can achieve – the preeminent "AV- Rating" – according to Martindale-Hubbell, the recognized authority on the legal profession.

Firm managing partner Terry Coffing said, “We are honored by this esteemed commendation. This recognition is further evidence that MAC Law has earned a reputation for superior service, integrity and commitment."

Shara Larson Joins Bankruptcy Division

2012-01-19T04:25:00+00:00

MAC Law's newest associate Shara Larson spends most of her time working in consumer and business bankruptcies, representing debtors. In particular, Mrs. Larson handles Chapter 11 bankruptcies for both individuals and business entities. Mrs. Larson also has significant experience in guardianship and family law. Prior to switching her practice focus to bankruptcy, Mrs. Larson primarily handled commercial litigation matters and medical malpractice defense.

Mrs. Larson was born in Willoughby, Ohio, a suburb east of Cleveland. Her family moved to Pittsburgh where she attended high school. Mrs. Larson received her bachelor of arts, cum laude, from Syracuse University in 1998. In 2001, Mrs. Larson received her juris doctorate, cum laude, from Pepperdine University, School of Law. At Pepperdine, Mrs. Larson was a member of the Honors Trial team. She won first place for best brief in the school's Appellate Advocacy Tournament and first place in Pepperdine's Trial Advocacy Tournament.

Read Shara Larson's Full Attorney Profile...

MAC Muscles Up With Top Bankruptcy Lawyer Zach Larson

2012-01-19T03:23:00+00:00

A sad, stark reminder of the state of the economy is that business bankruptcy remains one of the fastest-growing areas of the law. Across Southern Nevada, record numbers of firms that have long been fixtures in the economic bedrock have stumbled and failed under the relentless pressure of a crushing recession.

Thankfully, Las Vegas powerhouse firm Marquis Aurbach Coffing has expanded its ability to help business owners facing the specter of financial ruin by hiring one of the top bankruptcy attorneys in the American West.

Zachariah Larson, a seasoned veteran bankruptcy attorney, former President of the Clark County Bar Association and founder of Las Vegas-based firm Larson & Larson, has joined Marquis Aurbach Coffing, where he's now helping business owners to reorganize their operations and avoid bankruptcy altogether. Part strategist, part lawyer and part counselor, Larson is an experienced hand at advising owners of any size company – whether it's a handful of employees or a workforce of hundreds – on how to keep their doors open while protecting business owners' homes and other private assets.

"Being prepared doesn't cost very much, and it's crucial for business owners to know their options as early as possible," says Larson.

Having a firm grasp on their financial options might very well have saved many larger local businesses that have filed for bankruptcy this year – a growing trend, says Larson, with little sign of abating in the foreseeable future.

"One troubling aspect of business bankruptcies, frankly, is they're getting bigger," Larson says. "The bigger guys seem to be failing because they're out of cash, and you can't help but wonder what you could have done to help them do things differently if only you had gotten to them earlier."

For those companies searching for a way out of persistent financial hardship and possible bankruptcy, however, Larson and his colleagues at Marquis Aurbach Coffing – which goes by the new moniker MAC Law – provide help that is both readily available and surprisingly affordable. Larson says if businesses begin the process early enough, they can ensure their firms are ones that will weather the ongoing financial storm and eventually be able to re-emerge – all because they took the time to plan while reorganization was still an option.

"The cost of an initial consultation is ridiculously small and is often far cheaper than the amount most businesses spend each month on office supplies such as printer ink cartridges," says Larson. "It just doesn't really cost very much to learn what all of your options are. If you wait too long, however, you're no longer a candidate for reorganization; you become a candidate for liquidation."

Larson's addition to the fast-growing MAC Law team is another reason the firm remains one of the top five in Southern Nevada.

"As trusted advisers and counselors, MAC Law has again positioned itself among the elite firms in the state," says firm Managing Partner Terry Coffing. "Whether it be asset protection, dispute resolution, litigation or, in this case, bankruptcy protection, MAC Law remains committed to providing teams of trusted advocates who work tirelessly for our clients across the country."

Iraq War Veteran Jason Gerber Named Partner At Marquis Aurbach Coffing

2011-10-14T23:37:09+00:00

From Defending Soldiers Accused of Murder to Defending Rights of Business People

Las Vegas, NV. – Lawyers like to position themselves as “strategists” and as being “fighters for their clients.” These concepts are something Iraq War Veteran Jason Gerber knows all about. While serving as an Army Trial Defense Counsel, one of his high profile cases involved a serviceman who executed an Iraqi citizen at close range during a door to door search in the Baghdad slum of Sadr City.

“He was told by his squad leader before they came to Iraq that they would not be taking any prisoners. They are going to kill the oldest male in the home even if there were no threat," said Attorney Jason Gerber, director (partner) at Marquis Aurbach Coffing. "He was a good soldier that unfortunately followed illegal orders.”

The case went to trial with the then Captain Gerber helping defend the soldier on murder charges. Eventually, the soldier was convicted of manslaughter only and was sentenced to four years in prison. With time served and credit for good behavior, he served only two years, came home, finished college and got his life back.

Judge Elissa Cadish Rules Clark County Officials Cannot Raid $21,560,482 Health District Building Account

2011-10-14T23:28:22+00:00

County Attempts Same Approach They Claim State Used Against Them

Las Vegas, NV. – District Court Judge Elissa Cadish has ruled that Clark County officials have no claim on building fund money amassed by Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) officials. The decision from the Court reverses Clark County’s attempt to reduce the SNHD budget by $21,560,482. That budget cut essentially raided the millions of dollars which SNHD officials had set aside for a new building fund. The current headquarters were built more than 30 years ago when the population of Southern Nevada is a tiny fraction of what it is today. The current headquarters would have required millions of dollars in repair and renovation in order to properly serve the public in the coming years.

“The Southern Nevada Health District is a critically important guardian of public health, that serves a multitude of government entities and their citizens, and Clark County simply swoops in and essentially grabs the money that SNHD officials had judiciously set aside for new construction to serve the public,” said Terry Coffing, managing partner of the Law Firm of Marquis Aurbach Coffing. Coffing successfully argued that Clark County’s attempt to reduce funding to the Health District by $15,867,987 amounted to a cash grab by Clark County officials.

Said Coffing, “It is important to note that Health District officials did not raise any taxes, surcharges or any other fees to build the surplus. This is the money set aside from customers, patients and contributions from the governments and citizens of Clark County, Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City and Mesquite. It took a lot of chutzpah for the County to simply say it was theirs and they were grabbing it, particularly in light of the fact that Clark County officials are claiming that the State of Nevada had no right to seize money from Clean Water Coalition of which Clark County is one of several major contributors.

Coffing adds that the SNHD has been an effective steward during exceptionally challenging times. “It is to the Southern Nevada Health District’s credit that they have dealt with massive emergent health issues like the endoscopy issue and the never ending fight to inoculate the community against the latest flu threat and still remain viable. Instead of rewarding the people who have served the public so well, the county essentially treated the Health District as an ATM whose budget surplus was too healthy to pass up."