RICHARD DREITZER
In Memoriam – It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our colleague and friend, Richard (“Rich”) Dreitzer, on September 15, 2025.
Rich was a respected attorney and a force within our firm and the broader legal community. He served as Fennemore’s Las Vegas Office Managing Partner, a valued member of our Management Committee, and was the immediate past president of the State Bar of Nevada.
Beyond his titles, Rich was a trusted advisor, a champion for others, and a steady hand in moments of challenge and change. His wisdom, generosity, and unwavering commitment to doing what is right touched the lives of countless colleagues, clients, and friends.
Rich’s leadership helped shape our Las Vegas office—and our firm—for the better. His legacy endures in the people he mentored, the cases he guided, and the spirit of integrity and service he instilled in all who had the privilege of working alongside him.
The Nevada legal community has lost a respected leader, and we join so many others in honoring Rich’s contributions to the profession and the lives he touched.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Rich’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time. He will be deeply missed.
Education
- J.D., Washington University School of Law
- B.S., College of Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University
Areas Of Practice
Experienced, forward-thinking advocates who go beyond the expected for clients in dispute prevention and resolution.
Our construction attorneys have substantial experience with the diverse and often complex aspects of the construction business.
Our attorneys practicing in the employment and labor relations area advise and defend management in virtually all aspects of the employment relationship.
We have an extensive practice counseling employers on all aspects of employee benefits.
Our real estate practice is one of the largest in the American West, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada and Washington with experience in all aspects of the real estate development process, from due diligence, acquisition and finance, through land use permitting and entitlements, to leasing and sale.
OTHER EXPERIENCE
- Insurance Regulatory and Compliance
- Life, Health and Disability
- Manage Care Litigation and Compliance
Awards and Honors
- Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation/Employment Law – Individuals/Employment Law—Management/Litigation –Construction/ Litigation– Labor & Employment, 2019-2026
- “Legal Elite,” Nevada Business Magazine, 2020-2021
- “Rookie of the Year,” State of Nevada Office of the Attorney General, 2005
- AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated (the highest rating available), by Martindale-Hubbell
Articles and Presentations
- Author, “Wellness and Mental Health: What Can We Offer Each Other?,” Nevada Lawyer Magazine, October 1, 2024
- Featured, “ON THE MOVE: Nevada State Bar president named,” Las Vegas Business Press, August 20, 2024
- Quoted, “Richard Dreitzer Sworn in as President of the State Bar of Nevada,” Our Community Now, June 29, 2024
- Quoted, “Richard Dreitzer Sworn in as President of the State Bar of Nevada,” Nevada Business Magazine, June 28, 2024
- Author, “Labor and Employment Impacts to Consider as the Big Game Comes to Vegas,” Fennemore Blog, February 1, 2024
- Featuring, “ON THE MOVE: Wells Fargo announces promotion,” Las Vegas Business Press, July 10, 2023
- Featuring, “People on the Move: July 10, 2023,” Las Vegas Sun, July 10, 2023
- Featuring, “Nevada Business: Industry Focus,” Nevada Business, December 2, 2022
- Featuring, “Mandatory overtime: What you need to know,” Clockify, April 7, 2023
- Interview, “It is only in the presence of humility that learning and professional growth becomes possible,” Fennemore Blog, October 7, 2021
- Interview, “Labor, employment specialist discusses President Biden’s vaccine mandates,” KTNV Las Vegas, September 9, 2021
- Interview, “Can employees who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine get unemployment benefits?” KTNV Las Vegas, September 8, 2021
- Quoted, “Las Vegas small business owner leaves mask decision to customers,” KTNV Las Vegas, May 14, 2021
- Quoted, “Mask guidance relaxed for vaccinated individuals, employers can impose their own mask requirements,” KTNV Las Vegas, May 13, 2021
- Quoted, “BACK TO WORK: Can remote employees be forced back to work in-person?” KTNV Las Vegas, May 3, 2021
- Quoted, “Get vaccine or submit to weekly test: Wynn Las Vegas employee fumes over options,” KTVN Las Vegas, April 8, 2021
- Podcast, “Fenn.Talks: Reaching New Heights with Richard Dreitzer,” April 7, 2021
- Quoted, “COVID-19 Vaccine and Employers,” KTNV Las Vegas, December 8, 2020
- Quoted, “COVID-19 Vaccine and Employers,” KVVU Fox 5, December 7, 2020
- Quoted, “Insurer fires back against Durham business owners’ Covid claims,” Triangle Business Journal, September 30, 2020
- Speaker, “Pandemic Paradigm Shift: The Perils and the Promise,” State Bar of Nevada Webinar, June 30, 2020
- Quoted, “As Georgia Reopens Nail and Hair Salons, Lawyers Say Companies May be Putting Themselves at Risk,” Yahoo Life, April 24, 2020
- Quoted, “How to Keep Your Employees Healthy During the Coronavirus,” Business.com, April 7, 2020
- Interview, “Small business loans: How and when to apply,” Fox 11, April 7, 2020
- Interview, “Assistance for Small Businesses,” Fox 11, April 7, 2020
- Co-author, “COVID-19: Health Plan Coverage For Furloughed Employees,” Fennemore Client Alert, March 26, 2020
- Co-author, “Understanding the Emergency Family Medical Leave Expansion Act and Emergency Paid Sick Leave in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act,” Fennemore Client Alert, March 20, 2020
- Interview, “Coronavirus Relief Bill,” Fox 5 News Las Vegas, March 19, 2020
- Quoted, “Q + A: Las Vegas Lawyer Talks About Labor Law as Coronavirus Alters Workplace,” Las Vegas Sun, March 17, 2020
- Co-author, “Frequently Asked Questions About the Coronavirus in the Employment Setting,” Fennemore Client Alert, March 17, 2020
- Interview, “MGM Resorts report layoffs: Local attorney explains workers’ rights,” KTNV News, March 14, 2020
- Quoted, “New Trade Deal Provisions Give US Tech Firms Legal Shields,” eCommerce Times, October 9, 2019
Professional and community activities
- President, State Bar of Nevada, 2024-2025
- Vice President, Board of Governors, State Bar of Nevada, 2022-present
- Member, Advisory Council, The Mob Museum, 2022-present
- Chairman of the Board of Directors, Nevada Public Radio, 2021-present
- Vice Chair, Nevada Public Radio, 2019-2021
- Member, Board of Governors, State Bar of Nevada, 2013-present
- Board Member, Nevada Public Radio, 2013-present
- Member, Fee Dispute Committee, State Bar of Nevada, 2011-present
- Member, Lawyers Referral Information Service Committee, State Bar of Nevada, 2011-2014
- Member, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee, State Bar of Nevada, 2001-2004
- Member, State of Nevada Board of Continuing Legal Education, 2014-2021
- Justice of the Peace, Pro Tempore, Justice Court, Las Vegas Township, 2009-2018
- Small Claims Court Referee, Justice Court, Las Vegas Township, 2009-2020
Admissions
- Arizona
- Missouri
- Nevada
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court, District of Nevada
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Nevada