Michael Brunet Email and Phone Number

Areas of practice include gaming law, corporate and real estate transactions, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, litigation, SEC/corporate governance, and bankruptcy (Chapter 11 reorganization). Represent a diverse group of clients in complex commercial transactions, including Spectrum Gaming Group, PropSwap, and 888 Holdings PLC.

Practice focuses on providing short term in-house general counsel services to, or consulting concerning legal and/or business matters for gaming operators and manufacturers on a project basis. Past representations included:Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino: (Snow Covered Capital, LLC - “SCC”), San Francisco, CA. Provided strategic advice to SCC concerning Chapter 11 bankruptcy process and gaming operations; assisted SCC with efforts to sell its $45M loans to third parties during the bankruptcy, and to sell the property after acquisition through lift stay and foreclosure.San Manuel Casino: (San Manuel Band of Mission Indians), Highland, CA. Consulted directly for CEO of large Native American gaming property by assessing deals and advising concerning potential expansion transactions or diversification strategies and investment opportunities.GameCo – The Video Game Casino: Las Vegas, Nevada. Supported the Compliance Committee in maintaining compliance program to meet international and U.S. federal and state laws, with particular emphasis on UIGEA compliance. Meruelo Group, LLC: (Sahara Las Vegas, Grand Sierra Resort Reno) Las Vegas, Nevada. Acted as in house counsel for gaming properties and for Spanish language TV and radio stations in California; reviewed, revised, drafted, and negotiated contracts, advised concerning SaharaBets sports wagering platform, and maintained broad IP portfolio.Graton Resort & Casino: (Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria) Rohnert Park, California. Acted as general counsel for large Native American casino north of San Francisco/Oakland; participated directly in state and local compact re-negotiations and in negotiations for collective bargaining agreement with Unite Here; managed litigation and contract review.

Key member of property’s four-person executive management team with direct report to President and CEO. Participated directly in monthly Board meetings with management and stakeholders Leonard Green and TPG; managed sixteen-member department whose direct reports included a paralegal, legal assistant, director of safety and risk management and director of surveillance and surveillance department; served as member of monthly Compliance Review Committee and quarterly Compliance Committee and as advisor to Palms Place hotel-condo board; represented management in collective bargaining negotiations with IUOE and in response to organizing campaigns by Unite Here and Teamsters; managed and negotiated successful settlement of complex commercial litigation including $11 million cost of repair for hotel pool and $30 million cost of repair for alleged design and construction defects at hotel condo tower.

Gaming and Regulatory Compliance: worked directly with corporate compliance officer, property compliance staff, and outside counsel; interacted directly with regulators and appeared before regulatory gaming boards.Corporate Compliance and Governance: managed regulatory requirements including gaming compliance program, charters for compliance, audit and disclosure committees, and Code of Business Conduct & Ethics.Corporate Governance: reviewed SEC filings, including 8-K, 10-K, D&O questionnaires, and proxy materials for annual meeting; managed corporate books and records for multiple subsidiaries, prepared materials and minutes for and participated directly in Board meetings, and meetings of the audit and regulatory compliance committees.Property Operations: revised and negotiated contracts for all corporate departments, including purchasing, IT, security, public relations and marketing, casino operations and hotel group sales; worked directly with all operating departments at property and corporate levels, and managed legal work related to all aspects of operations.

The Light Group was a leading hospitality development and management company managing nightclub, day-club, lounge and food and beverage venues at MGM Resorts’ Bellagio, Mirage, Monte Carlo, Mandalay Bay and Aria casino resorts. Direct report to the CFO and CEO. Responsible for hiring, training and supervising paralegal and legal secretary. Labor and Employment: Extensive experience with collective bargaining agreements; drafting employment, severance and independent contractor agreements; and, mediation and litigation of discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination claims and non-compete enforcement issues. Development: Negotiated, drafted and revised agreements for significant commercial real estate developments, including: Architect agreements with Klai Juba and construction contracts with Thor Construction as general contractor for $60 million remodel of overflow pool area to transform into new 40,000 SF Mandalay Bay Beach Club/Day-Club, and remodel of Rum Jungle nightclub into new 35,000 SF Cirque du Soleil nightclub at Mandalay Bay; Acquired the interests of predecessor operator, and obtained new Management Agreements for restaurant spaces formerly occupied by Red Square, and by China Grill and Red White & Blue Café, which opened as new restaurant concepts at Mandalay Bay; Development Agreement and Shared Services Agreement for “Delano” re-branding of MGM Resorts’ “THE Hotel” adjacent to Mandalay Bay.

Gaming and Regulatory Compliance: worked directly with corporate compliance officer, property compliance staff, and outside counsel; interacted with regulators and made appearances before regulatory gaming boards.Corporate Compliance: developed programs, policies and procedures in accordance with SEC and gaming regulatory requirements including gaming compliance program, trading policies, charters for compliance, audit and disclosure committees, and Code of Business Conduct & Ethics.Corporate Governance: reviewed SEC filings, including 8-K, 10-K, Form S-1, D&O questionnaires, and proxy materials for annual meeting; managed corporate books and records for multiple subsidiaries, prepared materials and minutes for and participated directly in Board meetings, and meetings of the audit, regulatory compliance, investment, finance, and nominating and governance committees.Property Operations: standardized procedures and forms for contracts, leases, employment/severance agreements, human resources policies/procedures, and handled negotiations for and drafting of contracts, leases, and agreements for purchasing, IT, security, human resources and marketing.

IP and Entertainment: managed all copyright and trademark matters, including litigation, licensing, rights acquisition and clearance, and managed outside counsel in the maintenance of an IP portfolio consisting of over four hundred active service marks and thousands of registered domain names; directly negotiated location and sponsorship agreements with major motion picture and television networks and performance agreements for talent appearing at entertainment venues for leading provider of gaming and entertainment to Las Vegas “locals.”Property Operations: revised and negotiated contracts for all corporate departments, including purchasing, IT, security, public relations and marketing, casino operations and hotel group sales; worked directly with all operating departments at property and corporate levels, and managed legal work related to all aspects of operations.

Drafted memos, motions, orders and related pleadings in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases including the Aladdin Casino reorganization; represented debtors and creditors and made appearances in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Advised regarding IP acquisitions, clearances, registrations and maintenance, and enforcement.