VEGAS INC Magazine - Latest Las Vegas business news, features and commentaries about gaming, tourism, real estate and more
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/144913
J U LY 2 2 , 2 0 1 3 / Y O U R b u s i n e s s - t o - b u s i n e s s w e e k ly SPECIAL FOCUS LAWYERS AND THE LEGAL INDUSTRY "I think there is a concern that some shady companies are taking advantage of this law." This month, VEGAS INC highlights attorneys and the Las Vegas Valley's legal community. Municipalities' payroll nears $2 billion for 27,000 workers Michal Barzuza, University of Virginia law professor CHRIS MORRIS Incorporating in Nevada: Business benefit or shell game? By Eli Segall staff writer W elcome to Nevada, a great place for business. ¶ A state overflowing with shell By Conor Shine staff writer More than 27,000 people work for local governments in Southern Nevada, collectively affecting every aspect of life in the valley. They're police officers who patrol the streets, inspectors who check buildings for compliance and lifeguards who keep watch at local recreation centers. And they all can be found on local municipality payrolls. Local governments release data every year listing the salaries and benefits each employee received. VEGAS INC collected the data from five of the largest local public agencies — Clark County, Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas and Metro Police — and analyzed it to examine the size and scope of government in Southern Nevada. The results offer a snapshot of compensation in 2012. Several large salaries are the result of one-time payouts to employees who were receiving a severance package, retiring or cashing out benefits. Information for Clark County does not include University Medical Center employees. see SALARIES, page 16 corporations. A place where corporate taxes practically are unheard of. A land where executives aren't bothered by certain kinds of lawsuits. A safe haven from nosy outsiders and stockholders who want to know more about your com- INSIDE TODAY TRAIN DERAILMENT | P. 6 pany. ¶ All this and more can be had in the Silver State — and you don't even have to be a resi- With federal funding unlikely, is there a future for high-speed rail in Nevada? dent. ¶ Over the past decade, Nevada has become one of the most popular places in America BACK TO DRAWING BOARD | P. 7 to incorporate a business. Executives from around the country and world, without ever setting Laughlin officials face setback after Chinese solar panel project falls through foot in the state, set up companies here because of the tax breaks, legal benefits and secrecy DATA AND RECORDS | P. 20 offered. see INCOPORATING, page 14 Bankruptcies, bid opportunities, brokered transactions and permits THE LIST | P. 22 Law firms, by number of local attorneys | 2 2 J U LY 2 0 1 3 20130722_VI01_F.indd 1 | 1 7/18/13 2:03:47 PM