Seth J. Adams is a shareholder practicing primarily in the areas of Bankruptcy Law and Business Law. Mr. Adams previously worked for several large financial institutions and has represented creditors of all sizes in various proceedings throughout Nevada since first being licensed to practice. Additionally, Mr. Adams has participated in over 900 mediations and settlement conferences
Gregg P. Barnard is the Managing Shareholder of Woodburn and Wedge and has extensive experience in the areas of business and corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, structured finance, entity selection and formation, real estate law, including acquisitions, residential and commercial development, and commercial leasing transactions. Mr. Barnard represents a broad range of clients both nationally and internationally, as well as local businesses, real estate developers, land owners and start-up operations.
Mr. Barnard represents numerous privately held and publicly traded entities in connection with various corporate, acquisition, governance and financing related matters.
Mr. Barnard also provides representation to various real estate acquisition and development entities, including Lennar Corporation, in connection with various real estate acquisitions and development issues.
Gordon H. DePaoli is an experienced water law attorney. He has represented Sierra Pacific Power Company, now NV Energy, and the Truckee Meadows Water Authority in long-standing water rights disputes on the Truckee River. Mr. DePaoli was involved in negotiations leading up to the Truckee-Carson-Pyramid Lake Water Rights Settlement Act, Public Law No. 101-618, which resulted in the execution of the Truckee River Operating Agreement, and is involved in the process which will ultimately result in the implementation of that Agreement and the Settlement Act. He is counsel to the Walker River Irrigation District. That representation includes federal reserved rights litigation on the Walker River in Nevada and California. Mr. DePaoli has extensive experience in all facets of water law. That experience includes appearances before the Nevada State Engineer, California administrative agencies, committees of the Nevada Legislature, and state and federal trial and appellate courts. Mr. DePaoli was recognized in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the areas of corporate law, natural resources law, real estate law, and water law. Additionally, Mr. DePaoli was named one of the 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” for his work in real estate law.
Dale E. Ferguson practices primarily in the areas of environmental and water law. He has made numerous appearances before the United States District Court for the District of Nevada in connection with litigation involving the Truckee, Carson and Walker Rivers. Mr. Ferguson currently represents the Walker River Irrigation District with respect to numerous issues recently raised by the United States of America, Walker River Paiute Tribe and Mineral County, Nevada concerning the waters of the Walker River. Mr. Ferguson has also represented Truckee Meadows Water Authority on numerous matters involving the waters of the Truckee River and its tributaries.
In addition to his water and environmental law practices, Mr. Ferguson practices in the areas of general civil litigation, real property and public utilities law in both state and federal courts and before administrative agencies. He has briefed and argued appeals in both the Nevada Supreme Court and before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Sharon M. Jannuzzi is a shareholder and practices in the areas of probate, trust and estate administration, estate planning, probate litigation, will and trust contests and guardianships with substantial experience in general civil litigation and counseling of corporations, especially religious and non-profit clients.
In two decades of legal practice, Ms. Jannuzzi has successfully handled numerous estate and probate matters of every size and level of complexity, and recently augmented her extensive experience with a Master of Laws degree (LL.M.) in Estate Planning. She assists couples, families and individuals with drafting wills and trusts, and advises them regarding wealth transfer and tax-saving opportunities, including gift- and estate-tax avoidance. Ms. Jannuzzi has also helped many families with guardianship issues. She is a member of the Probate Bar Association of Washoe County and gives presentations on estate planning, probate and other topics to professional and civic groups.
Ms. Jannuzzi devotes a substantial portion of her practice to business law and civil litigation, with a particular focus on representing religious and charitable organizations. She assists her corporate and religious clients in business and real estate transactions, employment and personnel matters, government relations issues, taxation, litigation and dispute resolution, and matters involving the intersection between church and state.
Estate Planning and Probate Blog
Patrick M. Kealy is an attorney practicing primarily in the areas of civil litigation, estate planning and probate. From 2014 to 2021 Mr. Kealy worked as a litigation associate, in addition to representing political clients by providing legal counsel on lobbying initiatives. Previously Mr. Kealy worked as an extern for the Honorable Valerie P. Cooke, Federal Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court, District of Nevada.
Bronagh M. Kelly is a native of Ireland who has been practicing law in the United States since 2012. With experience across multiple legal disciplines, Ms. Kelly brings a unique perspective to the practice of law. While a substantial portion of her practice is devoted to the area of family law, she also practices in all areas of commercial and civil litigation.
Bronagh graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in Ireland, with a Bachelor of Laws in Common and Civil Law with Hispanic Studies. She spent her third year of university at the University of Salamanca, Spain, studying Spanish Law, Spanish language, as well as other European languages.
After graduation, Bronagh passed the New York Bar Exam in 2011 and began practicing law at a nationally renowned firm focusing on commercial defense litigation in New York City. She gained extensive litigation experience and handled complex commercial liability cases from inception through resolution, which included motion practice, court appearances, and client contact. Bronagh’s clients included an international furniture manufacturer, two of the world’s largest hotel chains, international clothing retailers, an international not for profit conservation society, car rental companies, and some of the nation’s largest insurance companies. Many of the cases were valued in excess of $10 million.
After marrying a fifth-generation Nevadan in 2016, Bronagh relocated to Reno and joined Woodburn and Wedge. The transition from commercial defense litigation to family law is exciting and extremely rewarding. Bronagh has found a new passion in this area of law. Her litigation experience enhances her ability to work efficiently with each client to reach the best outcome. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, she can effectively and diligently engage in motion practice and trial to pursue her client’s best interests.
In 2020, Bronagh earned the State Bar of Nevada 2020 Young Lawyer of the Year Award.
Outside the office, Bronagh enjoys skiing and kayaking at Lake Tahoe, traveling to new places, and getting home to Ireland to visit family as often as possible.
Shawn B Meador has been practicing law since 1983 and has been a shareholder in the firm Woodburn and Wedge since 1989. A substantial portion of his practice is devoted to the area of family law, including matters such as divorce, child custody, spousal support, pre- and post-nuptial agreements and related matters.
Mr. Meador believes that no two family law cases are exactly the same and that there is no single way in which every case should be handled. In most cases, however, he believes it is important to work diligently with the client to obtain a prompt and fair settlement. If a fair settlement cannot be achieved, he thoroughly and diligently prepares to litigate and try the case. His general trial experience in other areas of the law enhances his ability to try cases effectively when necessary. Mr. Meador works with several associate attorneys to provide the best possible service to clients at the most reasonable cost.
In addition to his family law practice, Mr. Meador practices in the area of general civil litigation in both state and federal courts. He has litigated cases in areas such as insurance coverage, personal injury defense, contract disputes, employment discrimination and F.E.L.A. matters. He has briefed and argued appeals in the Nevada Supreme Court and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Mr. Morris is a shareholder who works extensively within the field of estate planning and probate. He represents families, couples and individuals in crafting wills and trusts. He represents clients in probate, estate and trust administration. In addition, he develops and implements gift and estate tax saving strategies. He has published timely articles on current estate planning and income tax issues. Mr. Morris is a Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by the State Bar of California. In 2014, Mr. Morris was named a top “Twenty Under Forty” award winner by the Reno-Tahoe Young Professionals Network. In 2023, fellow attorneys named him one of the Mountain States Super Lawyers in estate planning and probate.
Mr. Morris also advises clients on real property matters. He has presented to various legal and professional groups on the tax and legal ramifications from short sales and foreclosures. He is regular presenter at the biannual Family Estate Planning workshop series where he teaches “Advanced Estate Planning.”
Estate Planning and Probate Blog
Shawn G. Pearson is a shareholder whose practice focuses primarily on corporate law, real property law, and other commercial transactions. He has represented a range of clients, from startup small business owners to Fortune 500 corporations.
