Biography
Eleissa C. Lavelle, Esq. is a member of JAMS Global Engineering and Construction Group, mediating and arbitrating complex construction, construction defect, surety, and related disputes. With more than 30 years of experience in the construction and associated fields as a respected litigation, appellate, and transactional attorney, Ms. Lavelle brings a calm, knowledgeable, and common-sense approach to managing complicated and contentious cases. She has been involved in the development, financing, and construction of shopping centers, office buildings, warehouse facilities, hotel-casinos, residential projects, condominium-hotels and other mixed-use developments, water treatment facilities, highway projects, correctional facilities, courthouse facilities, and schools.
Recognized for her experience and objectivity, Ms. Lavelle is skilled at managing complex and high-conflict disputes arising in construction to maintain or restore constructive working relationships both during construction and after project completion. Ms. Lavelle’s extensive experience has given her an exceptional understanding of the interests and objectives of parties involved in resolving disputes that arise during the course of construction.
Ms. Lavelle holds an L.L.M. Degree in Dispute Resolution (Straus Institute, Pepperdine University School of Law) and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Representative Matters
- Arbitrated disputes involving allegedly deficient landscape design and defective construction of public college facility and private commercial projects
- Mediated dispute between contractor and subcontractor regarding delivery of non-conforming materials to waste water treatment project
- Mediated dispute between owner and tenant concerning scope and cost of tenant improvements in a warehouse-office facility
- Arbitrated and mediated disputes between sureties, contractors, and public owners involving claims against payment and performance bonds
- Arbitrated disputes of breach of contract and fiduciary duty by design professionals in public and private contracts
- Mediated construction defect disputes involving multi-family and single-family residential projects and mixed-use projects, including resolution of insurance coverage issues
- Designed dispute resolution processes to improve communication to allow completion of a public project
- Mediated claims arising from allegedly defective design and placement of barricades during highway construction
- Mediated lien priority disputes between owners, contractors, and lenders
- Mediated and arbitrated coverage disputes and claims involving payment and performance bonds
- Resolved delay and disruption claims involving construction of a public convention center, public schools, and a nuclear medicine research facility
- Arbitrated and mediated disputes involving indemnity agreements between principals and sureties
- Mediated insurance coverage issues in connection with defective design and construction claims
- Mediated disputes involving the enforcement and priority of mechanic’s liens
- Recognized as a “Best Lawyer in Construction Law” The Best Lawyers in America, 2023
- Recognized as a “Best Lawyer,” The Best Lawyers in America, 2020-2023
- Recognized as a “Super Lawyer,” Mountain States Super Lawyers
- Adjunct Faculty — Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Real Estate Finance
- Negotiation
- Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
- Nevada Supreme Court Settlement Judge
- Faculty, National Institute of Trial Advocacy Seminars, Las Vegas, Nevada (Taking and Defending Depositions)
- U.S. District Court for Nevada’s Section 1983 Inmate Early Mediation Program Mediator Panel
- Former General Counsel, Clark County School District
- Former Member and Chairman, Clark County School District Bond Oversight Committee
- Member
- State Bar of Nevada
- Utah State Bar
Recent Publications
- “Timing Is Everything: Balance Risk and Opportunity to Decide When to Mediate,” and "Timing Is Everything: When is hte Best Time to Mediate," JAMS Global Construction Solutions, Spring 2014
- “Payment and Lien Statutes Are Potential Landmines,” Modern Contract Solutions, 2010
- “Negotiation in the Red Zone: Excelling When It’s Critical,” JAMS Global Construction Solutions, Winter 2017
Speaking Engagements
- State Bar of Nevada - April 29, 2021 - Nuts and Bolts of Negotiation
- Pima County, Arizona, Bar Association - Zoom Mediations, Arbitrations and Hearings, 2020
- Southern Nevada Association of Women Attorneys - Advanced Mediation Strategies, 2017
- JAMS Global Engineering and Construction Group Biennial Conference, February 22, 2018 - Facilitative and Evaluative Styles and Strategies in Mediating Construction Disputes
- Fidelity National Law Group, October 17, 2017 - Persuasive Pre-Trial Advocacy in Litigation
- STRATEGIC MOTION PRACTICE THROUGHOUT LITIGATION: The When, Why and How of Pleading Wars, Discovery Wars, Sanctions and all Sorts of Motions (Panel)
- HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF MEDIATION: Six Things to Consider in the Process (Panel)
- State Bar of Nevada, October 6, 2017 - Negotiation Skills
- State Bar of Nevada, December 7, 2016 - Ethics in Negotiation and Settlement
- "Mediation Advocacy," Nevada State Bar Young Lawyers (panel discussion), 2015
- "Effective Use of Experts in Arbitration," State Bar of Nevada Annual Meeting, 2014
- "Arbitration Clauses for Commercial Transactions and Disputes," Association of Corporate Counsel, 2014
- "Ethical Aspects of Building an Arbitration Practice," American Bar Association Webinar, 2013
- "Exploring the Pros and Cons of Mediation," Association of Corporate Counsel (panel discussion), July 2013
- "Legislative Update: Common Interest Community Operation, Management and Dispute Resolution," State Bar of Nevada Webinar, 2013
- Settlement Conference Training, Clark County District Court Judges, 2013
- "Strategies to Streamline Your Arbitration," Southern Nevada Association of Women Attorneys, 2013
- "Strategies for Managing Disputes and Claims Without Litigation," Construction Management Association of America, South Nevada Chapter, 2012
- Presentations on effective strategies for mediation and arbitration to various private law firms in Nevada and Utah
- General Counsel, Clark County School District, Present
- L.L.M. Degree in Dispute Resolution, Straus Institute at Pepperdine University School of Law
- J.D. and B.A., University of Utah
- Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi
- Partner, Duane Morris LLP
- Partner, Watt, Tieder, Hoffar & Fitzgerald LLP
- Shareholder, Lavelle & Associates, PC
- State Bar of Nevada’s First Bar Counsel
Counsel Comments
- "In mediation and arbitration, Eleissa is “conscientious, relentless, well prepared.”
- Prominent Las Vegas attorney - “[Ms. Lavelle] performed phenomenally and made me look like a hero to my office and my client. I remain very grateful for her attention and service in this matter and prior matters.”
- “Ms. Lavelle had a great understanding of the issues and her background in real estate matters was quite helpful.”
- “[Ms. Lavelle] balanced the table extremely well.”
- “[Ms. Lavelle’s] bluntness backed by her experience was very effective for all sides.”
- “Mediator Lavelle listened to my concerns prior to the mediation…and prepared herself for the case issues that arose at the mediation hearing.”
- “Her ability to present strengths and weaknesses of case and to be persistent” made a decisive difference in the outcome."
- “Lisa Lavelle, if there were more of you, a lot could be accomplished.”
- “Quick and was insightful.”
- “Ms. Lavelle did a fantastic job. The parties were far apart and at a perceived impasse. Twice she went back and brought the parties closer until the deal was closed. An all-around pleasurable experience.”
- “Ms. Lavelle was one of the best mediators I have ever worked with. She worked extremely hard over 6.5 hours to get it globally settled in a difficult case. Could not have been more satisfied.”
- “[Ms. Lavelle] was very patient, tireless in her efforts and her commitment to the process was obvious. Before the mediation began my expectation was no settlement agreement would be reached. Ms. Lavelle is an exceptional mediator.”
News
Events
Practice Areas
- Arbitration
- Business/Commercial
- Construction
- Construction Defect
- Engineering and Construction
- Estates/Probate/Trusts
- Higher Education & Title IX
- Personal Injury/Torts
- Professional Liability
- Real Property
- Surety
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