Overview
Steve Silva is a problem solver. He regularly practices in civil litigation in Nevada and California, including eminent domain and real estate litigation, with a heavy emphasis on appellate litigation, trial practice, governmental interface and law and motion. Steve has a strong alternative dispute resolution focus in disputed cases. He also provides advice and guidance to government entities, such as municipalities and state agencies, regulated entities and businesses.
Prior to entering private practice, Steve served as a Staff Attorney for the Supreme Court of the State of Nevada. He also was a Judicial Law Clerk for The Honorable Patrick Flanagan, Second Judicial District Court for the State of Nevada, Reno, Nevada. During law school, Steve was a Judicial Extern for The Honorable John A. Houston, United States District Court, Southern District of California, San Diego, California.
Experience
Experience
- Drafted successful petition for writ of mandamus to Nevada Supreme Court to determine number of properties at issues in an eminent domain action.
- Drafted amicus brief on behalf of numerous municipalities and International Municipal Lawyers Association concerning major regulatory taking appeal in Nevada Supreme Court
- Drafted amicus brief on behalf of several municipalities relating to inverse condemnation or tort liability when controlled fire escaped
- Represented municipality in litigation concerning power to create redevelopment agency
- Represented municipality in litigation against county concerning municipal powers
- Represented city attorney office in assessing ballot initiative for city election
- Represented utility company in appellate litigation over power to condemn property.
- Represented public entity in appellate court in action concerning public liability arising from the planning of a public improvement project.
- First chair as trial counsel in jury trial to acquire property for public improvement project.
- Litigated proposed ballot initiative for Nevada election
- Advise municipalities in utilization of federal funds and real estate acquisition
- Assisted Texas transportation entity in development of acquisition programming
- Assisted multi-state transportation entity in development of property acquisition policies and manual
- Represented public entity in mediation and arbitration over valuation of exercise of purchase option of multiple-building campus where range of value was $167M to $305M.
- Assisted Southern California transportation agency in acquiring right of way with disputed severance damages resulting in a favorable settlement to the agency.
- Represented utility company in contested transfer of abandoned facilities to underlying landowner.
- Assisted multi-national corporation in relocation of medical facility cause by a highway project
- Served as general counsel for water company.
- Represented national retail corporation in negotiating revisions to road design to avoid significant impact to retail operations.
Insights
Publications
Blog Posts
Speaking Engagements
News
Organizations
Community & Professional
State Bar of Nevada, Appellate Litigation Section, Past Chair
State Bar of Nevada, Bench-Bar Committee Member
State Bar of Nevada, Member, Commission on Revisions to Nevada Rules of Appellate Procedure
Reno Municipal Court, Judge Pro Tem
Washoe County Bar Association, Member
Clark County Bar Association, Member
Honors
Honors & Recognitions
International Municipal Lawyers Association, Amicus Award, 2023
Included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Real Estate, 2023-2025
Included in The Best Lawyers in America© for Appellate Practice, 2020-2025
Recognized as a Top Rank Attorney, Northern Nevada, Nevada Business Magazine, 2022 & 2023
Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Industry Focus - Real Estate - Land Use/Zoning, 2022
Recognized as one of the San Diego Top Lawyers, Real Estate, San Diego magazine, 2021-2023
Recognized as Legal Elite, Northern Nevada, Nevada Business Magazine, 2014-2016, 2018, 2020-2021
Selected to the Top Up-and-Coming Attorneys, Northern Nevada, Nevada Business Magazine, 2018
Selected to the Super Lawyers Rising Star list in Mountain West States, 2017-2021
AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Practices
Education
- California Western School of Law, J.D., 2010, cum laude; Associate Editor & Writer, California Western Law Review & California Western International Law Review
- University of Massachusetts Boston, B.A., 2007, magna cum laude
Admissions
- California
- Nevada
- U.S. District Court, Nevada
- U.S. Supreme Court