Bret F. Meich

Partner

With a proven track record of trying and winning complex business cases, Bret Meich counsels clients through a range of strategic decisions in order to effectively resolve disputes. He practices primarily in the area of general litigation, and he emphasizes professional, high-quality advocacy from case inception through post-trial appellate work.

Bret Meich’s significant accomplishments as a litigator include serving as lead trial counsel in commercial, construction, real estate, labor, and employment matters in courts in Nevada and California. Additionally, Bret has counseled clients in numerous intellectual property disputes, including representing a technology licensor in obtaining a judgment in excess of $24 million for unpaid royalties and other damages.

For organizations of all sizes, Bret utilizes his business and government background to distill complex issues in ways that judges and juries can readily understand.

Prior to joining Downey Brand, Bret practiced at the Reno office of a large international law firm for more than six years. He also drafted bills and amendments while working for the Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau, Legal Division during the 2007 Session.

Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement

  • State Bar of Nevada
  • State Bar of California
  • Washoe County Bar Association
  • Rotary International District 5190, Assistant Governor
  • Rotary Club of Reno Midtown, Past President and Current Member
  • Rotary International District 5190, Past Extension Committee Chair
  • Rotary Leadership Institute, Rotary International District 5190, Past Instructor
  • Share Our Success Committee, Rotary International District 5190, Past Member
  • Rotary International District 5190, Membership Committee, Past Member
  • Reno Catholic Professionals & Business Group
  • Nevada Discovery Museum, Development Committee, Past Member
  • Georgetown Club of Las Vegas
  • Diocese of Reno, Red Mass Committee, Past Chair and Current Member
  • American Inns of Court, Bruce R. Thompson Chapter, Past Associate
  • William S. Boyd School of Law Alumni Association, Past Board Member
  • Procter R. Hug High School ASCENT Program, Past Mentor

Honors & Rankings

  • Nevada Business Magazine, Legal Elite, 2013, 2016-2019
  • Nevada Business Magazine, Best Up and Coming, 2018
  • Clerkship, Honorable Brian E. Sandoval, United States District Court, District of Nevada, 2006
  • Nevada Law Journal, Law Review Member, 2006-2008
  • Research Assistant to professors Ann McGinley and Tuan Samahon, 2006-2008
  • Achieved the highest grade in Public Lands & Natural Resources, Gaming Policy Law, Advanced Appellate Advocacy, and Water Law.
  • Interlink Capital Strategies International Business Award
  • Obtained multimillion dollar summary adjudication ruling in favor of technology and patent licensor in contract dispute.
  • Successfully defended corporate client as lead counsel in trial that resulted in a complete judgment in commercial dispute, and succeeded on counterclaims for money damages.
  • Obtained multimillion dollar judgment on behalf of gaming machine manufacturer in contract dispute.
  • Successfully defended corporate entity as lead counsel at arbitration in commercial dispute.
  • Successfully defended government entity as lead counsel at arbitration in labor dispute.
  • Drafted successful opposition to a bid protest on a $78 million SNWA contract on behalf of contractor.
  • Obtained appointment of receiver to manage chemical company on behalf of creditor.
  • Defended large Nevada utility in a real property lawsuit involving zoning and rights-of-way.
  • Represented intellectual property licensor to successful outcome in patent-related litigation.
  • Provided government affairs and pre-litigation counsel to foundation with significant railroad interests.
  • Acted as the Town Attorney to a community of 38,000 people for more than six years.
  • Successfully defended gaming machine manufacturer in a patent and trade secret lawsuit.
  • Successfully defended telecommunications firm in a lawsuit regarding use of technology at prison facilities.
  • Counseled regulated entity in legal and government affairs matters regarding Nevada market entry.
  • Acted as lead negotiator for municipality during successful collective bargaining negotiations.
  • Counseled various clients in effective state legislative strategies.
  • Represented municipality as formal commenter before the PUCN in water/wastewater rate matter.
  • Defended municipality with respect to myriad labor and employment litigation.

Press Releases

5 related items

Speaking Engagements / Events

2 related items
  • April 2013
    Co-Presenter, Settlement Strategies
    American Inns of Court - Bruce R. Thompson Chapter CLE seminar
  • March 2012
    Co-Presenter, Navigating Expectations of Privacy in a Social Media World
    Association of Corporate Counsel – Nevada Chapter CLE seminar

Publications

5 related items
Bret is a sixth-generation Nevadan, and he and his wife hope to impart the same love of the Truckee Meadows and the Sierra Nevada to their three sons—the seventh-generation. Bret enjoys alpine skiing and traveling. He devotes significant time and energy to several charitable organizations in order to serve his community.

Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement

  • State Bar of Nevada
  • State Bar of California
  • Washoe County Bar Association
  • Rotary International District 5190, Assistant Governor
  • Rotary Club of Reno Midtown, Past President and Current Member
  • Rotary International District 5190, Past Extension Committee Chair
  • Rotary Leadership Institute, Rotary International District 5190, Past Instructor
  • Share Our Success Committee, Rotary International District 5190, Past Member
  • Rotary International District 5190, Membership Committee, Past Member
  • Reno Catholic Professionals & Business Group
  • Nevada Discovery Museum, Development Committee, Past Member
  • Georgetown Club of Las Vegas
  • Diocese of Reno, Red Mass Committee, Past Chair and Current Member
  • American Inns of Court, Bruce R. Thompson Chapter, Past Associate
  • William S. Boyd School of Law Alumni Association, Past Board Member
  • Procter R. Hug High School ASCENT Program, Past Mentor

Honors & Rankings

  • Nevada Business Magazine, Legal Elite, 2013, 2016-2019
  • Nevada Business Magazine, Best Up and Coming, 2018
  • Clerkship, Honorable Brian E. Sandoval, United States District Court, District of Nevada, 2006
  • Nevada Law Journal, Law Review Member, 2006-2008
  • Research Assistant to professors Ann McGinley and Tuan Samahon, 2006-2008
  • Achieved the highest grade in Public Lands & Natural Resources, Gaming Policy Law, Advanced Appellate Advocacy, and Water Law.
  • Interlink Capital Strategies International Business Award