State Association of Realtors hires Thoran Towler as general counsel

Thoran Towler, who has served as Nevada’s labor commissioner for three years, is joining the Nevada Association of Realtors as its general counsel.

He will provide legal counsel to NVAR, oversee the legal information line operated by the association and play a key role in the government affairs activities of one of the state’s largest professional associations. The NVAR position became available earlier this year when Teresa McKee was promoted from general counsel to CEO of the association.

“Thoran will be a great asset to NVAR and to our members statewide,” said NVAR President Kolleen Kelley, a longtime Nevada Realtors. “He has extensive experience working with the Legislature and in the regulatory process, as well within the state Department of Business and Industry. He also has a wealth of knowledge and skills that will enable us to offer new and expanded legal services to our members.”

Towler is scheduled to start working at NVAR on Sept. 2 after wrapping up his duties as labor commissioner, where he has directed a staff of 19. As labor commissioner, Towler’s responsibilities included administering and enforcing Nevada’s wage laws, setting and enforcing the state’s prevailing wage, issuing public works numbers, and overseeing and licensing private employment agencies and apprentice programs.

Before becoming labor commissioner, Towler served as a deputy attorney general in the Nevada Attorney General’s Office. He has a degree in technology from Walla Walla College in Washington and earned his law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, Wash.