John P. Desmond

John Desmond is a member in the firm’s Reno office. 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.

• Successfully 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 action.

•  Co-Author, “Law & Practice,” Dispute Resolution Global Practice Guide, Chambers, May 2026
• Co-Author, “Trends & Developments,” Dispute Resolution Global Practice Guide, Chambers, May 2026
• Co-Author, “Trends and Developments,” Chambers Antitrust Litigation 2025 Global Practice Guide, September 2025
• Co-Author, “Trends and Developments,” Chambers Antitrust Litigation 2024 Global Practice Guide, September 2024
• Presenter at the Dickinson Wright and Nevada Dispensary Association Marijuana Policy Forum Event, Reno, Nevada, June 6, 2018
• Presenter at the Dickinson Wright and Nevada Dispensary Association Marijuana Policy Forum Event, Las Vegas, Nevada, May 30, 2018
• Interview, “Views From The Corner Office,” YLS Newsletter, March 2014
• Interview, “In his own words: John Desmond, Gordon Silver shareholder,” Northern Nevada Business Weekly, 2012