Overview
Darren Lemieux is a litigator and trial attorney who handles complex, high-stakes, commercial litigation matters. Darren’s clients appreciate his confidence in the courtroom and his aggressive yet calculated approach to resolving sophisticated business disputes. Darren typically represents clients in matters involving business torts, contracts and partnership disputes, trade secrets and intellectual property, and other commercial matters, including liquor law and franchise rights.
Darren is licensed in California, Colorado, and Nevada and has tried cases in numerous states across the west coast and mountain west. In addition to substantial trial experience, Darren also guides clients in resolving disputes in pretrial mediations, arbitrations, and settlement conferences, as well as handling clients’ post-trial appeals.
Darren also practices in the area of healthcare and has over a decade of experience representing hospitals in civil commitment cases, guardianship petitions, and other matters concerning mental health and healthcare issues.
Memberships & Affiliations
- Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow
- William S Boyd School of Law Alumni Association, Former Board Member
- Northern Nevada Disciplinary Panel for the Nevada State Bar, Former Member
- Washoe County Bar Association, Member
- Denver Bar Association, Member
- Colorado Bar Association, Member
- American Heart Association Western States Affiliate, Executive Leadership Team, Former Chairman
- American Lung Association of Colorado, Former Board Member (Former Chairman of American Lung Association of Northern Nevada)
Representative Matters
- Represented Wyoming bank as lead counsel in a two-week jury trial in 2018, obtaining a $1.7 million verdict for misappropriation of trade secrets (one of the first cases ever tried under Wyoming’s UTSA), breach of fiduciary duty, and intentional interference with contractual relations (including attorneys’ fees and costs). Jury verdict included a finding of willful and maliciousness on each claim, entitling the bank to punitive damages.
- Represented apparel company as lead counsel in a two-week jury trial in 2015, obtaining a complete defense verdict and an award of damages of $600,000 for fraud, deceptive trade practices, and conversion, plus an award of $125,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs.
- Obtained a $6 million jury verdict and judgment, including punitive damages and attorneys’ fees, for Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada and Maisons Marques & Domaines USA Inc.. See “Southern Wine & Spirits, Ruvo win court victory” (6.30.13) and “Southern Wine & Spirits awarded $1.1 million in punitive damages” (6.27.13). This litigation spanned more than a decade and included an appeal of a permanent injunction issued in 2008, which Darren helped successfully uphold on appeal before the Nevada Supreme Court. See Chateau Vegas Wine, Inc. v. Southern Wine and Spirits of America, Inc., 265 P.3d 680, 127 Nev. Adv. Op. 73 (2011).
- Represented seller of petroleum business in a 13-week bench trial with more than 5,000 trial exhibits concerning a post-acquisition dispute over hundreds of millions of dollars. The case ultimately settled.
- Represented former teacher on appeal from denial of petition for judicial review regarding unemployment benefits, obtaining a reversal and remand for client by published opinion. See Hohenstein v. State Emp’t Sec. Div., 131 Nev. Adv. Op. (2015).
- Represented dissenting shareholder of company that owned Las Vegas Sun newspaper in antitrust litigation concerning area’s two major newspapers. See New York Times article “A Newspaper in Las Vegas, at Risk of Closing, Divides a Family” (9.5.13). The case settled and the dissenting shareholder ended up acquiring sole ownership of the newspaper. See “Brian Greenspun takes control of Las Vegas Sun, other GMG titles” (7.1.14).
- Represented a law firm in an action for $25,000,000 against the firm arising out of a Qui Tam lawsuit in federal court.
- Represented commercial land owner in multi-million dollar lawsuit for catastrophic injuries sustained from a car wash, obtaining summary judgment in favor of client and award of attorneys’ fees and costs.
- Represented Airport Authority in federal court in complex commercial dispute, obtaining a dismissal with prejudice based on state and federal motor carrier laws.
- Represented an importer/wholesaler of alcoholic beverages in a lawsuit against a number of suppliers who had infringed on the importer’s/wholesaler’s franchise rights, obtaining partial summary judgment. The suppliers ultimately agreed to pay damages and fees to the client, resulting in a successful settlement for the importer/wholesaler.
Publications
- Co-Author, "How to Avoid Accidentally Writing a Contract in Indelible Digital Ink," Published by Northern Nevada Business Weekly, 08/20/2012
- Author, "10 Steps for Service Professionals to Consider When Facing a Malpractice Claim," Previously Published in Northern Nevada Business Weekly, 07/11/2012
- Author, "10 Steps to Consider If You Face a Claim of Malpractice," Northern Nevada Business Weekly, April 2012
- Author, "11 Steps to Consider When Facing a Malpractice Claim," The Writ, Official Publication of the Washoe County Bar Association, March 2012
Distinctions
- Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow
- Colorado Super Lawyers - "Rising Star", 2015-2018
- Benchmark Litigation - 40 & Under Hot List, 2018
- Mountain States Super Lawyers - "Rising Star" - Business Litigation, 2012-2014
- Nevada Business Magazine - 2010 Northern Nevada's Top 25 Attorneys, 2013 "Northern Nevada Best" - Legal Elite, 2010, 2013
Other Info