Max D. Couvillier III (Max) is the Chair of the Litigation Department at Black & LoBello. Max’s practice focuses on maximizing and protecting his clients’ interests, businesses and pursuits. Prior to joining Black & LoBello, Max was a Shareholder/Partner with Lionel Sawyer & Collins, one of Nevada’s largest and most iconic law firms.

Max has considerable knowledge and experience in commercial matters, corporate governance, mergers & acquisitions, shareholder disputes, intellectual property, real estate and employment-based immigration matters.  In addition, Max has participated in significant appellate matters, representing some of the Nevada’s largest companies and has argued before the Supreme Court of Nevada.  Outside of the Firm, Max served as the General Counsel to The Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada (2011-2013) in furtherance of his commitment to pro bono.  As General Counsel, he advised the Officers and Board with a variety of legal issues, exposures, business policies and corporate governance.

Max is also a recognized a community leader and serves on various Boards, who seek his input, guidance and counsel.  After completing his tenure as General Counsel, Max was elected President of the Board of Directors of The Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada in 2014.  In September 2013, he was recognized by the Nevada State Bar and the Latino Bar Association for his lifetime contributions to advancing the standing of Hispanics in the legal profession.  In 2004, Max was awarded the prestigious Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce Arturo Cambeiro Outstanding Hispanic of the Year in recognition of his leadership and contributions to the Hispanic Community.  Max’s leadership was also recognized by Nevada Congressman Jon Porter, who invited him to attend the National Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. in 2004.

Max’s community involvement is not only very rewarding, but has also allowed him to expand his practice beyond traditional lawyer roles by advising his clients who wish to reach the flourishing Southern Nevada Hispanic Community.

While attending California Western School of Law in San Diego, Max served as a judicial extern to The Honorable James F. Stiven of the U.S. District Court for Southern California, and was a Summer Honors Associate for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C.

Max is fluent in Spanish.

Practice Emphasis

Commercial Litigation, Appellate, Mergers and Acquisitions Class Actions

Reported Cases

A.I. Credit Corp. v. Gohres, 299 F. Supp. 2d 1156 (D. Nev. 2004)(summary judgment for lender client even though lender unable to produce original promissory note).

Corbello v. DeVito, Dodger Theatricals (Jersey Boys), 832 F. Supp. 2d 1231 (D. Nev. 2011) (summary judgment in favor of writers of Jersey Boys hit musical, defeating claim for copyright infringement after establishing a selectively exclusive license granted to clients by Four Seasons member Tommy DeVito).

Corbello v. DeVito, Dodger Theatricals (Jersey Boys), 844 F. Supp. 2d 1136 (D. Nev. 2012)(summary judgment in favor of client producers of Jersey Boys musical and record, defeating claim for copyright infringement after successfully establishing a valid sublicense and absence of copyrightable similarities).

Professional and Civic Affiliations

Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, President of Board of Directors

State Bar of Nevada, Litigation Section Board of Directors

State Bar of Nevada, Appellate Section Member

Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors

Christian Legal Society, Board of Directors

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada, Board of Directors, 2008-2013

Justice of the Peace Judicial Selection Committee Member, 2006

California Western School of Law, Board of Trustees, 2002-2003

Southern Nevada Latino Bar Association, Past President

Clark County Public Defender Advisory Committee Member, 2004

Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Focus Class IX Leadership Program

Education

California Western School of Law in San Diego, California, cum laude, J.D., 2001

University of California, San Diego, B.A. 1997

Bar/Court Admissions

State Bar of Nevada

Clark County Bar Association,

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

AV-Preeminent Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell

Best Lawyers® for Commercial Litigation.

Super Lawyers Mountain States ® for Business Litigation, 2014 - 2015.

Nevada Business Magazine’s “Legal Elite”, 2014 - 2015

“Top 40 Under 40” Award by InBusiness Las Vegas, 2008.