real estate

Brian is a licensed real estate broker in California and Nevada, a member of the Tahoe Sierra Board of Realtors, and an owner of West River Associates, Inc., a leading commercial real estate company whose management portfolio includes many of the key commercial, industrial and retail properties in the Truckee business districts, iconic buildings in the historic downtown area, and many of Truckee’s best known restaurants, breweries and coffee shops. As an attorney and active real estate broker, Brian has the experience, insight and skill set that brings unmatched value to his real estate clients.

Our real estate services include:

  • Transactions, purchase / sale contracts and disclosures.

  • LLC, trust and deed transfers conveyances.

  • Residential and commercial leases.

  • Seller financing and deeds of trust.

  • Real property disputes, litigation, arbitration and mediation.

  • Broker, owner and landlord consultation.

civil litigation

Sometimes litigation is unavoidable. When disputes have to be resolved through the courts or other proceedings, our goal is straightforward: to win or find resolution so our clients can go back to running their business and living their lives.

Brian is a distinguished litigator. His past clients range from individuals and local small businesses to large corporations. His past cases have ranged from personal injury jury trials and medical malpractice to the collapse of a power plant. As a JAG for the Army National Guard, Brian led the Trial Defense Service team and won numerous cases before military administrative boards. In 2018, he was named Trial Defense Attorney of the Year for the Pacific Region.

Some of his successful representations include:

  • The expungement of a heavily litigated lis pendens lien on real property, clearing the way for a multi-million dollar real property transaction in North Lake Tahoe;

  • The settlement of claims on behalf of a climbing company and resort / hotel relating to serious injuries caused by failed climbing equipment;

  • A defense decision in favor of a major Las Vegas hotel / casino arising from an incident at a nightclub;

  • The successful defense of a real estate broker against a complaint made to Nevada Department of Real Estate regarding the financing, construction and sale of a multi-million dollar airplane hangar development;

  • The dismissal of steering action against an automobile insurer, affirmed by the Nevada Supreme Court;

  • The dismissal of a fraud action against a homeowner’s association, affirmed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

landlord/tenant

Our landlord / tenant practice is focused primarily on representing owners and landlords with regards to residential and commercial tenancies. Our services include evictions, drafting leases and customized contracts, and general consultation. Landlord / tenant law is a surprisingly specialized field. It pays to use local counsel. For more information on our real property services, please see our Real Estate page.