Howard Miller, prominent lawyer and ‘true Las Vegas native,’ dies at 68

By Gregan Wingert

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 | 2 a.m.

Howard Miller, a Las Vegas native who grew up riding his bicycle down Sixth Street in the 1950s and would later became a well-known attorney in the city, died Thursday night at age 68.

Howard was diagnosed with lung cancer on Nov. 14 and died in Park City, Utah, where he spent the last seven years of his life.

“He fought a valiant battle,” said Marsha Sofer Miller, who was married to Howard Miller for 29 years before they divorced.

Howard Miller was born Jan. 6, 1944, to Lillian and Maurice Miller in Detroit. The family moved to Las Vegas in 1951, and Miller grew up in the downtown area.

“He was one of the true Las Vegas natives,” said Jan Jones, friend and former mayor of Las Vegas.

Jones described Miller as “wonderful, thoughtful, pragmatic, funny — he was just funny.”

During his youth, Miller attended Las Vegas High School and worked as a lifeguard at the Sands pool.

“He was just a very fun, bright guy,” said Lyle Rivera, a former chief deputy of the Nevada attorney general who graduated with Miller from high school in the 1960s.

After graduating high school, Miller attended USC for his undergraduate and law degrees. When he finished law school in 1971, he worked in the public defender’s office in Los Angeles.

While visiting his family, former Mayor Oscar Goodman — who was an attorney at the time — encouraged Miller to make the move to Las Vegas to practice law.

“Howie was the best,” Goodman said. “I’m heartbroken over this.”

Howard and Marsha moved to Las Vegas in 1973 and Howard took up a job as an attorney at Goodman’s law firm.

“He was a great lawyer,” Goodman said. “The clients loved him — he was a joy to be around.”

After the firm broke up Miller went to work at the district attorney’s office for a year before opening up his own practice with Paul Carelli. During his career, Miller also served as a partner at the gaming company Tech Art.

“Howard was one of the special people,” Jones said.

Miller was Jones’ lawyer, friend and on many occasions her confidant.

“Howard was the one I looked to for a reality check,” she said. “I knew if I asked Howard’s opinion I would get the truth.”

Miller provided legal counsel to Jones when she was elected mayor and sued by Steve Miller who ran against her in 1991.

“He was ever-present in my life,” Jones said. “He was my ski pal.”

Miller’s love of the outdoors stayed with him through his later years. He kept active during his retirement by biking, skiing and hiking.

“He liked living the good life,” Marsha said. “He loved his children and his dog and his grandchildren.”

Miller is survived by his two children, Jessica Miller Bello (Eric), Max Miller; two grandchildren, Riley James Bello and Madeline Sophia Bello; and his beloved dog Lucy.

A public service for Miller will be held at the King David Cemetery at Palm Downtown Mortuary, 1325 N. Main Street, at 10 a.m. on Feb. 13.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Howard’s name be made to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, 500 Huntsman Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, Attention: Sally Montgomery.