Law firm honors Randy Mainor for distinguished career

The Las Vegas law firm of Mainor Eglet Cottle honored its founding partner, W. Randall (Randy) Mainor, Aug. 2 at a private party at Vintner Grill.

Robert Eglet served as master of ceremonies, introducing various guest speakers who highlighted Mainor's achievements not only in law but in the community.

Mainor's career includes several landmark personal injury cases, such as a 1999 case in which a Las Vegas jury awarded a record $25 million in damages to a disabled client who suffered at the hands of a local bus company.

Mainor was born in Overton in 1941. He graduated from Henderson's Basic High School, received a degree in economics from Brigham Young University and attended American University in Washington, D.C., where he was a member of the Law Review and worked as a legislative assistant to Sen. Howard Cannon, D-Nev.

He was a special agent for the FBI, deputy district attorney and deputy public defender before starting his own law practice in Las Vegas.

Mainor's son, Bradley, spoke of his father's passion for the law and for his family, consisting of his wife, Leslie; daughter, Emily Greenwood; and another son, Garrett.

Mayor Oscar Goodman presented the city's proclamation noting the many honors Mainor has received over the years, including being voted by his peers Trial Lawyer of the Year for 1999.

Mainor's good friend, Kent Green, spoke about their golfing experiences, and Kent Rawlings presented the honoree with many congratulatory letters, a proclamation from county commissioners, and a Certificate of Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, D-Nev.

Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice William Maupin and District Judge Kenneth Cory presented a commemoration from Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and both spoke fondly about their personal friendship and mentoring they received through the years from Mainor.

The other partners in Mainor Eglet Cottle include Robert Eglet, Robert Cottle, Tracy Eglet, Robert Adams and Bradley Mainor. The experience of the six partners, including Randy Mainor, spans five decades.

The firm also is known as The Cochran Firm because in March 2004 it merged with the firm of the late Johnnie Cochran Jr.

Vintner Grill's manager Peter Varela and chef Matthew Silverman offered appetizers and a buffet selection of cheeses, imported meats and a seafood station.

Among the 160 guests were Nevada Supreme Court Justices Michael Douglas, Michael Cherry and Nancy Saitta; and District Court Judges Lloyd George, Sally Loehrer, Michelle Leavitt, Donald Mosley, Valorie Vega, Jessie Walsh and Timothy Williams.

Golden anniversary: Las Vegans Jan and Owen Nitz celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at a dinner party Saturday at the Las Vegas Country Club.

The two were married in 1957 in the First Lutheran Church in Brookings, S.D.

Owen Nitz enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at 18; his last duty station was Nellis Air Force Base in 1951. Upon completion of his duty, he returned to his home state to attend South Dakota State University and law school in Denver. Jan Nitz also attended South Dakota State.

The couple moved to Las Vegas in 1960 to raise a family and for Owen to practice law. They have three daughters, Ashley Nitz, Stacey Albregts and Gina Nitz, and five grandchildren.

Jan is active in politics, Junior League and Assistance League.

Aside from his law practice, Owen is the trustee of the Engelstad estate and spends weekdays overseeing the estate's Imperial Palace property in Biloxi, Miss.

More than 180 friends attended the party, partaking of cocktails, passed appetizers and a buffet dinner.

The party's master of ceremonies was the Nitz's son-in-law, Dan Albregts.

Entertainment was provided by the grandchildren singing and playing the couple's favorite tunes on the piano. Vocalist Eugene Eash also was flown in from the Biloxi Imperial Palace to entertain.

The couple will fly to Biloxi this week to celebrate this milestone at another dinner party at the Imperial Palace.