Debbie Leonard Email & Phone Number

Reno, Nevada Area

Leonard Law is a solo law practice focused on advocacy and mediation that allows me to foster my no-nonsense approach to the law while addressing my clients’ needs in the most cost-effective manner. My philosophy is to bring strong subject-matter expertise and a large dose of practical thinking to every matter I take on. With thorough research and careful analysis, I offer clients a logical view of the possible consequences they may face at every decision point.My background as a scientist, teacher and mediator, combined with my extensive legal experience, give me a multi-dimensional perspective of legal issues that few other lawyers can claim. It’s this background that helps me navigate through varied obstacles and often-conflicting stakeholder interests to reach solutions that have the greatest net benefit. Whatever the challenge, I am a thoughtful advisor, a persuasive advocate, an effective negotiator and a creative mediator.

My practice focuses on litigation, appeals and mediations that involve conflicts over land and water. I am co-chair of the firm's Appellate Practice Group and represent clients before administrative agencies and courts in Nevada and California. In 2013-2014, I served as Chair of the Appellate Litigation Section of the State Bar of Nevada. Using my background in science and natural resource management, I handle water rights matters and property disputes, guide clients through land use and environmental permitting and assist with environmental due diligence. I proudly serve as pro bono counsel for the Tahoe Pyramid Bikeway (www.tpbikeway.org), volunteer mediator and arbitrator for the Nevada State Bar Fee Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Panel, Nevada Supreme Court Settlement Judge, Lawyer Representative for the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, board member for the Guinn Center for Policy Priorities (https://guinncenter.org/) and advisory board member for Nevada Land Trust (www.nevadalandtrust.org).

Performed field collection and prepared environmental samples in lab for hydrocarbon and genetic analysis/ Researched marine organisms as biological indicatorys of pollution. Edited manuscripts and grant proposals.

J.D., Law, Certificate In Environmental Law

Activities and Societies: Associate Editor, Ecology Law Quarterly

M.A., Education

California Secondary Teaching Credential--Science

B.A., Zoology (Honors), Emphasis In Aquatic Ecology

Activities and Societies: Phi Beta KappaHonors thesis: Production Potential of Cutthroat Trout in Two Streams on the Olympic Peninsula