Brian Gonsalves specializes in litigation and real estate.  As an attorney, real estate broker and business owner, Brian has the experience and skillset that bring unmatched value to his clients.  Recognized for his astute judgment, practical solutions and competitive edge, he has the ability to quickly identify his clients’ priorities and to craft and execute reasonable plans to reach resolution.  With down-to-earth values and a broad depth of understanding, Brian provides tremendous insight that sets him apart.

Litigation.  Brian represents clients in civil litigation, arbitrations, mediations, and administrative boards with his client’s personal and business interests at the forefront. He has handled cases involving negligence, fraud, personal injury, breach of contract, title disputes, landowner liability, special education and a wide variety of other areas.  He routinely serves as of counsel to a large, nationwide law firm specializing in the defense of contractors and subcontractors in complex construction defect litigation and other select matters.  He has conducted jury trials in both California and Nevada, and has litigated cases in the federal courts.

Real Estate. Brian is a licensed real estate broker in California and Nevada, a member of the Tahoe Sierra Board of Realtors, and the owner of West River Real Estate, Inc., a leading commercial real estate company in Truckee.  He handles real estate transactions, and regularly advises property owners and real estate brokers.  He has consulted on countless landlord / tenant matters including the termination of residential tenancies and unlawful detainers. 

Military.  Brian serves as a JAG for the Nevada Army National Guard.  Major Gonsalves currently leads the Trial Defense Service team responsible for representing soldiers throughout the State of Nevada before various military tribunals.  He is a graduate of the highly competitive Army Air Assault School, and has traveled to the Kingdom of Tonga to teach military law to members of the Tongan military.  In 2018, he was named Trial Defense Attorney of the Year for the Pacific Region. His former assignments include holding the title of the Chief of Administrative Law for the Nevada Army National Guard.

Community Involvement.  Since 2012, Brian has served as the Managing Attorney for the Tahoe Truckee Mediation and Legal Assistance Program which provides free or discounted legal services in North Tahoe and Truckee through a team of dedicated legal advocates and volunteer attorneys.  Brian is a former Board Member and Past-President of the Tahoe Truckee Bar Association (2012 – 2016).  He was also on the Board of Directors of Tahoe Safe Alliance from 2010 to 2016, on the Executive Council of the Nevada State Bar Young Lawyers Section from 2010 to 2012, and a featured speaker at the Nevada State Bar Admissions Ceremony in 2010 and 2011. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the North Tahoe Business Association.

Bar Admissions

California, 2005. 

Nevada, 2006. 

United States District Court, Eastern District of California, 2005. 

United States District Court, District of Nevada, 2006. 

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2010.

Education

University of Hawaii at Manoa: Juris Doctor 2005.

Honors: CALI Award and Ruddy F. Tongg Memorial Prize for Real Estate Development and Finance.  Association of Trial Lawyers of America Grant Recipient.

University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration 1995.

Honors: President’s Awards Program and CSFA Scholarship Recipient.