John P. Desmond

Appellate Practice

5.0 (1 reviews)

Reno, Nevada

31+ years experience

Dickinson Wright PLLC

Updated: Jan 02, 2026

Contact Information

775-343-7505

https://www.dickinson-wright.com/our-people/john-p-desmond

100 West Liberty, Suite 940, Reno, NV 89501

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Bio

John P. Desmond is a shareholder and the firm's Reno Litigation group leader. He focuses his practice in the areas of commercial litigation and appellate work. He regularly represents and counsels clients in commercial and business litigation matters involving contract disputes, buy/sell agreements and disputes over intellectual property. He has also represented physician groups in regard to compliance and contractual matters. His representation of clients includes a significant number of matters before the Nevada Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.Representative CasesSuccessfully represented a full service securities broker dealer firm in a case of first impression in which the Nevada Supreme Court recognized the enforceability of arbitration clauses in the employment context. Kindred v. A.G. Edwards, 116 Nev. 405,996 P.2d 903 (2000)Obtained dismissal of a false claims complaint seeking damages of nearly $100 million, the first case argued under Nevada’s qui tam statute, before the Nevada Supreme Court. International Game Technology, Inc. v. Second Judicial District Court, State of Nevada, 127 P.3d 1088 (Nev. 2006)Represented client in a case of first impression to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals involving the First Amendment rights of anonymous bloggers on the Internet (2010).Obtained a judgment for the largest gas station and convenience store operator in Nevada in excess of $100 million on claims for fraud and misrepresentation after an eight-week trial, with the court awarding both compensatory and punitive damages.Successfully represented a large manufacturer on a certified question to the Nevada Supreme Court as to whether Nevada recognizes a cause of action for medical monitoring in products liability actions.Representative ClientsExxon MobilGoogle, Inc.State of NevadaCal PERSBefore joining the firm, Mr. Desmond was a shareholder at the Nevada law firm of Jones Vargas for many years. He regularly represents and counsels clients in commercial and business litigation matters involving contract disputes, buy/sell agreements and disputes over intellectual property. He has also represented physician groups in regard to compliance and contractual matters. His representation of clients includes a significant number of matters before the Nevada Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Representative Cases Representative Clients Before joining the firm, Mr. Desmond was a shareholder at the Nevada law firm of Jones Vargas for many years.

Practice Areas

Appellate Practice

Awards & Recognition

Lawyer of the Year: Appellate Practice, Reno (2026)
Lawyer of the Year: Appellate Practice, Reno (2024)
Lawyer of the Year: Appellate Practice, Reno (2022)
Recognized: Appellate Practice
Recognized: Bet-the-Company Litigation
Recognized: Commercial Litigation
Practice Area: Litigation - Intellectual Property
Mr. Desmond was active in leading the opposition effort that lead to the defeat of the statewide judicial term limits initiative in 1997. He received recognition from the State Bar of Nevada and the Nevada District Judges Association for his efforts.
Mr. Desmond currently serves on several Nevada Supreme Court Commissions, as well as the Supreme Court Bench Bar Committee. He is currently president of the Board of Directors of Washoe Legal Services, past president of the Washoe County Bar Association a
Best Lawyers of America 2015 for Appellate and Commercial Litigation, Reno
Master, Bruce R. Thompson Chapter of the American Inns of Court
Mountain States Super Lawyers®, 2013 - 2014
Nevada Business: Legal Elite, 2013 - 2014

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2015

Education

Western Michigan University, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D., graduated 1994

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Reviews

Nicholas Martinez

2 weeks ago

Exceptional Commercial Litigation and Appellate Counsel

John Desmond provided outstanding representation in a complex contract dispute that went to the Nevada Supreme Court. His 30+ years of experience, particularly his deep appellate expertise, were invaluable. He possesses a rare ability to distill complex legal arguments into a compelling narrative, which was clearly a factor in our favorable outcome. His leadership of Dickinson Wright's Reno Litigation group is evident in his strategic, calm, and thorough approach. I cannot recommend him highly enough for serious commercial matters.