Laxalt taps Lionel Sawyer attorney to head gaming division
Nevada’s new attorney general has reached into the private sector for a chief deputy to head up the gaming division.
Attorney General-elect Adam Laxalt on Monday named J. Brin Gibson to oversee the division, which advises the Gaming Control Board and Nevada Gaming Commission and regulatory matters.
Gibson has worked in the gaming and regulatory department for the statewide law firm Lionel Sawyer &Collins. His father is former Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson, who ran for governor as a Democrat in 2006.
The announcement is the latest move by Laxalt to remake the attorney general’s office. Last month, he said Assemblyman Wes Duncan, R-Las Vegas, would become assistant attorney general. Laxalt, a Republican, was elected in November and takes office Jan. 5.
According to his law firm biography, Gibson worked on projects with the late gaming attorney Bob Faiss, including the formation of a gaming control system for the country of Vietnam. Gibson also consulted on regulatory structure in other foreign jurisdictions.
“Brin has the right skill set and commitment to public service for this important position,” Laxalt said in a statement.
Gibson is also a member of the Colorado River Commission. Gov. Brian Sandoval appointed Gibson the panel in 2011 and reappointed him to a second term this year.
Gibson becomes the latest Lionel Sawyer &Collins gaming attorney to depart the firm this year.
Longtime firm partner Ellen Whittemore left in the spring to form her own practice. Mark Clayton joined Greenberg Traurig in August and Jennifer Roberts became a partner at Duane Morris LLP in October.
Contact reporter Howard Stutz at hstutz@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3871. Find him on Twitter: @howardstutz.
