John P. Desmond

John P. Desmond: Experienced Commercial Litigation and Appellate Lawyer in Reno, Nevada

John P. Desmond is a shareholder and the firm's Reno Litigation group leader at Dickinson Wright PLLC. He focuses his practice on commercial litigation and appellate work, representing clients in complex business disputes involving contract disagreements, buy-sell agreements, and intellectual property issues.

Practice Areas

• Commercial Litigation
• Appellate Practice
• Bet-the-Company Litigation
• Litigation - Intellectual Property
• Commercial Contracts
• Contract Disputes
• Buy-Sell Agreements
• Intellectual Property Disputes
• Misrepresentation Claims
• Promissory Notes and Financial Instruments
• Employment Agreements
• Trade Secrets Disputes
• Litigation - Securities Fraud
• Celebrity Litigation and Personal Injury Claims

Awards & Recognitions

• Lawyer of the Year: Appellate Practice, Reno (2026)
• Lawyer of the Year: Appellate Practice, Reno (2024)
• Lawyer of the Year: Appellate Practice, Reno (2022)

Educations & Credentials

• Universities: Western Michigan University - Juris Doctor
• Education: Mr. Desmond received his Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University College of Law in 2013.
• Bar Admissions: Nevada, United States
• Awards: Recognized: Appellate Practice by Best Attorney USA (since 2015)
• Firms: Before joining Dickinson Wright PLLC in 2016, Mr. Desmond was a shareholder at the Nevada law firm of Jones Vargas for many years.
• Affiliations: Washoe Legal Services - Board of Directors; Washoe County Bar Association - Past President; American Inns of Court - Member (Bruce R. Thompson Chapter); Mountain States Super Lawyers® - Member
• Languages: English

Since joining Dickinson Wright PLLC, Mr. Desmond has represented clients in significant cases before the Nevada Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Some of his notable achievements include successfully representing a full-service securities broker dealer firm in a case recognizing the enforceability of arbitration clauses in the employment context (Kindred v. A.G. Edwards, 116 Nev. 405, 996 P.2d 903 (2000)). He has also successfully represented large manufacturers and gas station operators, as well as anonymous bloggers on the Internet.

John P. Desmond's professional philosophy emphasizes dedication to his clients' interests and a commitment to achieving positive outcomes in complex legal matters through thorough preparation and innovative strategies. His extensive experience and success in handling high-stakes litigation cases demonstrate his capabilities as an attorney dedicated to his clients’ best interests.