Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Nevada attorney general wants to reduce use of private lawyers

CARSON CITY — Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt said today he plans to cut spending on hiring private lawyers to represent the state.

He also wants to set up an office to help an estimated 400,000 present and former military service members.

Laxalt outlined his plans to the Senate Finance Committee. He is suggesting a reorganization of the Attorney General’s Office, which he took over in January.

Laxalt said millions of dollars are spent on private lawyers, mostly for Project Neon to widen Interstate 15 in Las Vegas. He said he wants to bring attorneys into his office to do the legal work in acquiring property for the project.

Dennis Gallagher, chief legal counsel for the state Department of Transportation, said there would be three legal teams based in Las Vegas and each one would save the state $2 million.

Laxalt is also proposing that his office team with private lawyers to help military veterans in such things as drawing up wills and power of attorneys.

Nevada private lawyers must provide 50 hours a year of free service. Laxalt wants them to use 10 to 15 hours to help veterans.

The committee did not take any action on the budget for the Attorney General’s Office, which has 370 employees.

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