Attorneys and Lawyers Reno and Lake Tahoe Law Firm

FREE VIDEO CONSULTATION MEETING

OUR TEAM OF ATTORNEYS

Joe M. Laub, Esq.

Joe M. Laub, Esq. Graduated from California Western School of Law and has been licensed to practice law in Nevada since 1989 NV 3664. His expertise is in the following areas: Criminal Law, Personal Injury, and Workers' Compensation. Joe is also licensed to practice law in California and has done so since 1989 CA 141800.

In practicing law for more than 30 years, Joe finds that his passion for law is in helping people who are at a disadvantage in legal matters. Joe spent several years working for other firms before joining Melvin Laub at the family law firm. Melvin Laub began Laub and Laub Law Firm in 1965. Though Joe's father has since retired, Joe still relies on his father's innate wisdom and continues with the firm's purpose to help the community.

Fred K. Maier, Esq.

Fred K. Maier, Esq. Graduated from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, California and has been licensed to practice law in Nevada since 1995 NV 5705. His expertise is in the following areas: Workers' Compensation, Bankruptcy, and Personal Injury. Fred is also licensed to practice law in California and has done so since 1994 CA 174849.In practicing law for the past 25 years, Fred has found great joy in helping others with problems that they can't solve themselves. He met Joe Laub when he interned for him as a first-year law student during the summer in Lake Tahoe, CA.

Nicholus "Nik" C. Palmer, Esq.

Nik C. Palmer Esq. Graduated from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego, California and has been licensed to practice law in Nevada since 2006 NV 9888. His expertise is in the following areas: Family Law, Personal Injury and Probate.

In practicing law for the past 14 years, Nik has found that his calm demeanor has been the steadying presence his clients genuinely appreciate. He met Joe Laub when he interviewed for a position at Laub and Laub Law Firm in Reno, NV.

Jordan R. Morgenstern, Esq.

Jordan R. Morgenstern, Esq. Graduated from Western State University in California and has been licensed to practice law in California since 1988 CA 134046. His expertise is in the following areas: Criminal Law, Personal Injury, and Family Law.

In practicing law for more than 30 years, Jordan has found that he enjoys a challenge. His clients appreciate his tenacity and extensive experience in criminal law. He and Joe Laub were young attorneys together at Laub and Laub Law Firm in South Lake Tahoe, CA where Jordan became part of the team because Melvin Laub needed some help on Personal Injury case.

Car Crash

Four Key Mistakes to Avoid after an Accident:

Don’t Wait to Get Help.

Waiting too long to get legal help for a personal injury case can only hurt you, not improve your odds.
There is a statute of limitations that applies to car accidents and other personal injury cases. In Nevada, it’s two years from the date of injury to file a claim.
Time is critical because evidence doesn’t last forever, like tire tracks, or on-scene witnesses.

Not Seeking Medical Care

Did you know that medical documentation builds a strong personal injury case? It’s key to establishing the worth of your case and proving that your injuries are related to the accident.
Above all, seeking medical treatment for your injuries is essential to your health. You need to know the extent of the damage done to your body.

Talking with Other Insurance Companies

Should the adjuster call you, and they will, do not speak to them without an attorney. Why? They want to collect your statement and then confer with their own counsel to see how to make you the responsible party. Remember, the insurance company is not your friend. They are not on your side.
More than likely, once you give your statement, they will find a way to shift the responsibility of the accident and your injuries to you.

Accepting an Offer that is Unfair to YOU

Offers are legal documents that use legal terminology that does not read like regular English. Legal documents should ALWAYS be reviewed by a trusted attorney--someone who advocates for you.
It may seem like a lot of money, but it may not be enough to cover the extent of medical expenses and time off work to recover from the accident.

Three Commonly Asked Questions

What Should I Do to Protect My Rights?

First, talk to your insurance company and talk to the police, but DO NOT speak to the insurance adjuster without representation. Why? Their goal is to deny your claim, or greatly reduce the amount of compensation for the injury. The adjuster is not your friend; they aren’t looking out for your best interests.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Contingency based fees are the means of payment for retaining a Laub and Laub Law Firm personal injury attorney. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you. You have nothing to lose by meeting with us and retaining our law firm.

I Only Have Minor Injuries, Do I really Need to go to the Doctor?

YES! Please, do yourself a favor and seek medical attention after an accident. Even if you feel fine and don’t think you need medical care. What you may think is a minor ache or pain that won’t last but a few days could turn out to be a major problem like a serious spine injury.

Personal Injury

Our knowledge and extensive legal experience in the field of personal injury law helps you get the care and medical treatment needed, so you are not left paying for all expenses owed due to an accident that wasn’t your fault.

We handle injury cases related to:

Car Crashes
Trucking Accidents
Motorcycle Collisions
Pedestrian Accidents
Bicycle Collisions
Serious or Catastrophic Injuries
Fatalities / Wrongful Death

Dealing with Insurance Companies After an Accident

Insurance adjusters can be very difficult to deal with when you’ve been seriously injured by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing and file a personal injury claim. They don’t respond or answer your requests for contact. Adjusters ignore calls and don’t return messages.

Time passes. Deadlines loom. Medical expenses and time off work accumulate, but you are stuck waiting for the insurance company’s response to your claim. If you finally do get into contact with them, they cite policy limits, explaining that the insurance company will not be able to fully or fairly compensate you, the injured party, for the entire cost of the medical expenses acquired or lost wages.

Insurance companies can be evasive and not respond to you. The goal of insurance companies is to minimize payouts and bolster their bottom line. They can do this by law.

Fred M., Esq explains: In personal injury law it’s very noticeable that corporations have all the power. Corporations have always pushed the law to benefit the business vs. the individual. For example, the minimum insurance policy limits are 15 thousand (15k) and 30 thousand (30k). If you ever go to the hospital because you’ve been in a car accident, your bill will be more than 15k allowed by the insurance policy. Insurance companies have lobbied the government for that. While it has gone up in Nevada, in California it hasn’t changed. Keeping low minimums makes it cheaper for the insurance company. Those minimums don’t help a car full of people who’ve been injured in an accident. It’s important for the injured party to seek help if the insurance company isn’t helping them.

What to Expect in Your Free Consultation with Laub & Laub

Whether it is in a virtual call or an in-person meeting, we will arrange a time and place that is easiest for you.

Our personal injury attorneys will answer any questions accurately, letting you know how best to move forward with the current claim. We will also ask you questions, so please be prepared to discuss the accident and the event that followed.

The goal of the initial meeting is to see if we can help you. There’s no cost to you for the consultation or to retain our law firm.

Contact your attorney immediately. You Have the Right to Legal Representation.

Don’t Wait to Talk with a Lawyer: If you have been charged with any type of crime, don’t waste time. You need a criminal defense lawyer on your side as soon as possible. Contact us by phone or email. We will meet with you. Our offices are located in Reno and Carson City, Nevada. We also have offices in Truckee and South Lake Tahoe, California.

If you are accused of a crime, then you know that you need fearless and effective legal representation to negotiate the legal system. That’s why it is so important to have a resource, an attorney you can text or call for help. A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can share your story, which will affect how the court and the prosecution see you and your case.

Hiring an attorney to represent you means having a highly skilled asset ready to assist you. Your attorney will listen to your side of the story. Your attorney will not judge you. Your attorney is there to help you. They speak for you as a filter, a buffer between you and law enforcement.

Your actions and words will be held against you.
When you have an attorney, they speak for you.
If they make a mistake, their words can’t be used against YOU!

How a Criminal Defense Attorney Looks at a Case

When you meet with an attorney at Laub & Laub, the initial consultation is free. The attorney will ask questions--a lot of questions, so be prepared to answer them honestly. They need to know what happened. For the attorney, the story is not emotional or ethical, it is fact based. Every case is driven by the facts.

An attorney pays attention to the details. Paying attention to the details of a client’s story allows the attorney to build a strong defense. As the attorney listens to a client, there are things in the story that may help them build the defense.

Most criminal cases don’t go to trial because it’s the way the system works. A majority of cases are resolved by a plea bargain. Some are even dismissed. Though jury trials are reserved for many different issues, most cases don’t go to trial.

If a case does not have the option of a plea bargain, or the client and attorney decide to go to trial, then the client should expect a higher cost for representation. Going to trial is an extensive process and time consuming.

There is a list of items that occur when going to trial.

1). Time: It takes an attorney days to prepare for trial.

2). Evidence: Information, documentation, physical evidence, testimonies must be collected, so the attorney can provide a solid defense for the client.

3). The Jury: It takes several days to try a case, which includes picking the jury.

4). Deliberations and Arguments Presented to the Court: The defense must be presented, so must the prosecutor present their case. Next there are deliberations and closing arguments.

These things take time. The expense of a trial adds up, when an attorney is out of the office for a day or for weeks.

find out the details because the facts drive the case. It is in the best of interest of the client to be brutally honest with the attorney.

When you hire a private attorney because you need a criminal defense lawyer, you are paying for a best friend, someone to trust. That trust is the reason why the attorney / client privilege is the most important privilege that exists. Attorney / client privilege is sacred.

Drug Charges

For many reasons, the use and or possession of, or distribution of drugs occurs in a person’s life. Laub Law Firm understands that things happen, which is why we are vigilant about our clients’ right to representation. Whatever has occurred in your life, you have the right to outstanding legal representation without judgement for the charges you face.

When a drug charge happens in your life, the consequences of the charges and a conviction affect more than just the near future. Drug charges can have long-term negative effects on your life that include your job, possible future employment, loss of your reputation, and of course, jail time.

Have you been charged with first-time possession? We can explain how you may be able to get the charge completely dismissed by completing Drug Court.

While the word “drugs” covers a wide variety of legal and illegal substances, the use and / or possession of many types of drugs can diminish your future. That’s why it is so important to get qualified legal help as quickly as possible.

Have you been arrested on suspicion of selling drugs? We investigate the case. Our goal is to find out the facts and see how law enforcement handled the situation. If your rights were violated, we will find out and use it to your advantage.

If an individual uses or sells, or is in possession of illegal drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, methamphetamine (meth) and Ecstasy, then the consequences can include fines and jail time, as well as a criminal record.

Prescription drugs can cause just as many problems as illegal substances. The use of, distribution of, or possession of prescription drugs, such as Vicodin or hydrocodone, OxyContin, otherwise known as oxycodone, Valium or diazepam, Xanax or alprazolam, Ambien, which is zolpidem, Codeine, Morphine, Ritalin, Valium and Adderall can mean the loss of specific employment opportunities, jail time, fines and negative social consequences too

Accused of felony trafficking? Through a skillful plea bargain, it may be possible to get the charge reduced. If the case goes to trial, we will fight for a “not guilty” verdict if necessary. Our job is to go the distance for you, our client. We are your voice, and we will be heard.

Facing criminal drug charges can feel overwhelming, as if your life just stopped. You need answers, so you can stop worrying. Take action now and contact Laub and Laub Law Firm. We are in the business of criminal defense. Our job is to listen to you, investigate the situation, and use our extensive experience to build your best defense.

Criminal Defense

Your Rights if Accused of a Crime:

You have the right to remain silent
You have the right to have your attorney present.
Exercise your right to legal representation and SAY NOTHING to law enforcement.

LAUB AND LAUB CAN HELP WITH:

DUI / drunk driving

DWI /driving while intoxicated

Domestic violence, assault, and other violent crimes

Drug possession, sales, trafficking, or manufacturing

Juvenile Offenses

Vehicular Manslaughter

Shoplifting, robbery, and other theft crimes

Sexual Assault, rape, and other sex crimes

Embezzlement, fraud, conspiracy, and other white-collar crimes

REMEMBER, IF ARRESTED

STAY CALM--go with law enforcement with no discussion, no irrational

behavior

REMAIN SILENT—anything you say will be used against you

DO NOT GRANT PERMISSION--for law enforcement to search your home or car

CONTACT LAUB AND LAUB immediately

Law enforcement has a lot of power when it comes to charging you with a misdemeanor or a felony. If detained, law enforcement will ask you questions. They will watch how you behave. They have a job to do. Law enforcement is not on your side, and they are not your friends.

Ensuring Your Side of the Story is Heard

At the Law Firm of Laub and Laub, we are passionate about protecting you from overzealous law enforcement officers and harsh prosecutors. We know that the government’s story is only half of the story—the other half is yours, and it deserves to be told.

Joe Laub and the legal team at Laub and Laub make sure your voice is heard by the criminal justice system. We are compassionate with our clients, yet aggressive in court. Laub Law Firm goes the distance to defend your freedom, your reputation, and your future.

Retaining an Attorney: I’m Trusting You with My Life

Fear must be addressed immediately when a client comes in regarding a criminal case. Facing the law is scary. An event occurred, creating a big problem in the life of the client. Help is now needed from an experienced criminal defense attorney to resolve the problem.

At Laub & Laub, our attorneys will explain, “You’re here, and you need to tell me everything you know about this matter. Whatever you say will stay within the four walls of this office, but you have to tell me everything, and you have to tell me the truth, and you have to tell me the stuff that you don’t want to tell anyone else.”

Telling a false story or thinking that telling the best story is what the criminal defense attorney needs to hear is the worst idea. Sometimes a client thinks that telling a made-up story to the lawyer is how to handle the problem. The client may not want the attorney to have to worry about the bad stuff. For a criminal defense attorney to provide the strongest defense for a client, the defense lawyer must know the case better than the prosecution does. Be prepared to share everything with your defense lawyer.

Remember, a criminal defense lawyer with years of experience has a way of finding out the truth about what happened. It is their job. An attorney has a lot of training through schooling and numerous years of experience trying cases in court. They are skilled litigators. It’s what they do: find out the details because the facts drive the case. It is in the best of interest of the client to be brutally honest with the attorney.

When you hire a private attorney because you need a criminal defense lawyer, you are paying for a best friend, someone to trust. That trust is the reason why the attorney / client privilege is the most important privilege that exists. Attorney / client privilege is sacred.

Bankruptcy

I’m Joe Laub. For more than thirty years, I’ve worked in bankruptcy and debt management law. I’ve personally seen what happens when a family in our community is in financial crisis, which is often no fault of their own.

Life can be very expensive. Why wait to find out what to do if your family is in financial crisis? Explore debt relief options for free and take control of your financial life.

Get the answers you need regarding your personal financial questions. Get help from Laub & Laub, and benefit from the years of experience in bankruptcy and debt relief law our firm offers. Learn about your options for free in a consultation.

When you're in debt with no end in sight, feeling like you’re working to pay bills and nothing else, then contact the law firm of Laub & Laub. We can help you get the answers you need regarding debt management and bankruptcy options.

Isn’t it Shameful to Mishandle Finances and File for Bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy was created to help people discharge debts and regain financial stability. There is no shame in helping yourself regain financial composure, so you can establish good credit again. Think of it this way: do you want your feelings to stand in the way of making good financial decisions? Acknowledging how you feel and moving forward to make the necessary changes will help you feel better and get your life going in a direction that moves you into your future. Feel better, get help, and put your focus on the future!

Laub & Laub Will Help You Make the Best Decision

The Federal Government created bankruptcy for a reason. The Federal Government doesn’t want Americans stuck in debt for the rest of their lives. Get out of “debtor’s jail” by benefiting from the bankruptcy rules that can get you out of debt.

In most cases, you will not lose any of your assets, so you have nothing to lose--other than debt. There are many debt-relief options available than can work to your financial benefit.

When you are in debt, stressed out and can’t sleep, the attorneys at Laub and Laub Law Firm have the answers that can solve your debt problems. We know various solutions for debt, and we will strategize and help you decide what your best options are, so you can plan for your future and feel better about tomorrow.

For over 55 years, Laub and Laub Law Firm has helped people just like you in our community get a fresh start. Our consultation is free. We will pre-qualify you for bankruptcy. If bankruptcy is not your best option, we will explain which option is the best path to financial freedom. For the initial consultation, you do not need to bring any paperwork, just a general knowledge of your debt, income, monthly expenses, and assets.

For your convenience and safety, we can email you simple bankruptcy intake paperwork to complete. You can also access our bankruptcy/debt relief form through our website. Our offices are located in Reno and Carson City, Nevada with locations in Truckee and South Lake Tahoe, California. Virtual consultations are available too.

Divorce

The Financial Impact of Divorce

Divorce, even on good terms, is challenging. The legal and financial impact of a divorce effects your family and your personal relationships. A divorce also affects your financial welfare. How do you divide property and other assets with your ex-spouse without creating emotional and financial turbulence for yourself?

When the decision has been made to legally separate or divorce, the next decisions determine how you will take care of yourself, your business, and how you can manage your financial affairs.

In legal matters, an attorney by your side means answers and protection:

Who will own the house, or other real estate property?
What happens to IRAs and 401(k) plans, pensions, military benefits and retirement assets?
If you’re a business owner, what happens to your business or professional practice?
Who is responsible to pay the mortgage, car loans and other debts?

Community Property VS Separate Property

Who determines what is community property vs. separate property? Unless there is a premarital agreement in place, any property or assets gained during a marriage will likely be considered “community property.” Dividing the total amount of the assets equally between spouses is usually how community property is handled in divorce.

Though community property will be divided in a divorce, separate property is not divided equally. Gifts, inheritance, or property owned by one spouse prior to the marriage constitutes separate property and is not subject to asset division in a divorce.

Protecting You While Dividing the Assets

Determining what is separate property and what is community property can become litigious during a divorce. That’s why it is important to have an attorney by your side, so you have a legally astute best friend to help you. For example, retirement assets can be considered community property, even if you are the only one contributing to it. The amount that was added after the marriage may be community, but the amount prior to the marriage may be considered separate property. A good divorce attorney knows how to present the information to ensure fair and equitable representation.

Modifications in Alimony

Modifications in alimony occur when there are significant changes in your income or the income of your spouse. For example, if your ex-spouse gained a higher paying job, so he or she doesn’t require as much alimony support, then you may need a modification for alimony support.

Working with an attorney doesn’t stop after the divorce. A year or more later, you may need to contact them because life changes—few things remain the same for long periods of time. It’s good to know that you are a client for life when you work with a family law attorney at Laub and Laub Law Firm.

Adoption

Building the bonds of family through adoption is an occasion for celebration. Legal documents determine how an individual or a couple becomes a parent of a child.

Those documents allow new parents to determine the health and wellness of that child, which is the reason for the court's involvement.
Correctly supplying accurate paperwork to the court is the reason an attorney is vital to a successful adoption.
The attorney reviews the documents, makes sure the paperwork is completed correctly, and uncovers any issues that need to be reviewed.

Having one of our attorneys help you through the process of adoption uncomplicates the legal paperwork of adopting a child. Our family law attorneys are familiar with the court’s process of adoption. We know what to expect and how to handle a problem should it arise.

Child Custody, Visitation and Support

In family law, deciding what is best for a child is the highest concern of the court. An attorney helps you negotiate what is in the best interest for your family, for your child, and for you. It is a balancing act, but it’s one best completed with a trusted, skilled attorney who can negotiate appropriate terms regarding custody, visitation and child support.

Changing Existing Orders

If circumstances have changed for your family, and the existing orders you have for your children and child support are no longer viable, then modifying the terms so they apply to your to your current circumstances makes sense.

What Counts as a “Substantial Change in Circumstances?”

For the court to grant a modification, “substantial change in circumstances” must have occurred since the last court order was entered. Some examples of substantial changes are:

You were transferred by your employer to a different state, so you need to change the existing parenting plan
For your child to attend a better school, you need to relocate you and your child
Perhaps you lost your job and are unable to afford the current child support payments

In an Emergency Situation

If you are concerned that your child is in danger of abuse, it may be possible to obtain emergency custody. Don’t wait to contact an attorney if you suspect that there is neglect or abuse happening to your child. When you retain Laub and Laub Law Firm, you are our client for life. Contact us, so we can help you and your family as soon as possible.

Why Laub and Laub Law Firm

At Laub & Laub we’ve been working in family law for more than 55 years. Our attorneys have experience with both Nevada and California law systems, so we understand how to work within the law of either state to obtain the best outcomes for our clients and their families.

We provide in-person or virtual free consultations. Our offices are located in Reno and Carson City, Nevada, and in South Lake Tahoe and Truckee, California. Joe Laub is available via text. We do everything in our power to make it easy to contact us to get the answers and help you need.

Parental Rights

Laub & Laub believes in family. If you are fighting for your parental rights, please contact us. We will work with you to find out how Laub & Laub can help you maintain your parental rights. We know how important it is to keep children connected to their family. We’d like to talk to you, so we can find a way to support your family’s legal rights.

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Joe Laub, Esq. explains: Our number #1 GOAL is to get you the maximum amount of treatment and compensation you deserve for you and your family.

When you’ve been injured on the job, everyday activities become difficult. While there is physical pain from the injury, uncertainties about employment, medical care compensation, and reimbursement of lost wages creates unnecessary stress for you and your family.

Fred M, Esq. explains: Workman’s comp is so complicated. It’s difficult to understand what your benefits are and when you should receive them. For example, by law in California, they have to send the claimant a pamphlet on the laws that govern workers’ compensation. So, here’s the injured person, who gets this 20-page document, and they try to read through it. It’s a lot to comprehend, so their head is spinning. You could read through it three times to try to understand it, but you really may not still understand it unless you are a lawyer. When people realize how big the system that governs workers’ compensation is, that’s when they come and see me to help them understand it.

It's Worth Hiring an Experienced Lawyer

Having an attorney who can help fill out workers’ compensation paperwork, find out if more benefits are available, and help manage the insurance company’s push-back on medical expenses is worth YOUR time

What you don’t know can cost you a great deal in both medical expenses and lost wages. Speak to an experienced workers’ compensation attorney at Laub and Laub Law Firm. Our workers’ compensation attorneys can help you negotiate the laws that govern your rights when you’ve experienced a job-related injury or illness.

The cost of having an attorney beside you to fight for your rights is less than potentially losing benefits owed to you for a job-related injury.

Our offices are located in Reno and Carson City, Nevada and in California, we have offices in Truckee and South Lake Tahoe. Want to meet virtually? We can do that too. Laub Law firm provides complimentary consultations. Text Joe now at 775-644-4911 to ask questions or call to make a virtual or in-person appointment: 775-333-1234 at our Nevada law firm. Contact us here (link to Contact page)

We offer virtual meetings at both our Nevada and California law offices. Tell us your story, and let one of our experienced attorneys, who know the laws governing workers’ compensation and they know your rights under those laws, review the case.

The consultation is free. What you discover may save you more than the attorney’s fees. It’s your health, isn’t it worth finding out if you have more benefits coming to you?

CLICK ICON to schedule a FREE CONSULTATION

CLICK HERE to Ask a Legal Question

PERSONAL INJURY | ACCIDENT

CRIMINAL DEFENSE

BANKRUPTCY

FAMILY LAW

WORKERS' COMPENSATION

WILLS | TRUSTS | PROBATE

Reno

South Lake Tahoe

Carson City

Truckee