Biography
Ms. Lavelle brings more than 30 years of experience in real estate litigation and transactions—as well as extensive dispute resolution training—to mediating and arbitrating real estate disputes. Her creativity, persistent follow-up, and calm, common-sense approach assist parties in crafting creative resolutions to a wide array of complex real estate disputes. Ms. Lavelle also recognizes the importance of mediating disputes as early as possible and is able to quickly drill down on key issues. As an arbitrator, Ms. Lavelle draws on her substantive knowledge of real estate law, strong analytical approach, demonstrated fairness, and command of the process to reach well-reasoned awards.
Representative Matters
- Arbitrated and mediated claims involving common interest communities, including the interpretation and enforceability of governing documents and Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 116
- Resolved claims involving restrictive covenants applicable to shopping centers and other commercial properties
- Mediated, arbitrated, and negotiated workouts of distressed commercial developments and claims involving sophisticated lenders, large borrowers, guarantors, and title companies
- Mediated, arbitrated, and settled title and competing priority issues
- Settled cases involving inter-creditor and other disputes among financial institutions
- Mediated and arbitrated disputes involving owners, community associations, lenders, and developers
- Mediated, litigated, and resolved disputes involving the valuation of real property
- Resolved issues related to shopping center, office building, ground, and telecommunications leases
- Settled commission and escrow disputes
- Mediated, arbitrated, and settled disputes by and among owners, general contractors, subcontractors, construction managers, sureties, and other insurers
- Resolved title insurance disputes
- Settled disputes involving purchase and sale agreements
- Mediated and settled legal malpractice suits involving real property issues
Completed Virtual ADR training conducted by the JAMS Institute, the training arm of JAMS.
- Recognized as a “Best Lawyer,” The Best Lawyers in America, 2020-2022
- 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.”
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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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