Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about Lewis and Roca and your position.
Paul A. Bible: Lewis and Roca is a unique law firm because it stresses the importance of pro bono legal services and contributing to our community. I joined as a senior partner in October 2010 to enable my clients to have the benefit of a complete range of legal services.
NNBW: How did you get into this profession?
Bible: I have wanted to be a lawyer since I was a teenager.
NNBW: What's the most important thing you have learned in your career?
Bible: You have to contribute to your community to repay the benefits that community gives to you.
NNBW: What's changed about your job with the recession?
Bible: The casino industry in Nevada assumed debts in the boom times that cannot be repaid due to the loss of business caused by the recession. I am now working with clients to restructure their loans. I am also representing hedge funds who have acquired casino debt and now need to be licensed.
NNBW: What was your first job?
Bible: I delivered newspapers for the Reno Evening Gazette when I was in the 7th and 8th grade. My first full time job was working in the summer of my freshman year in high school in a gas station at the Zephyr Cove Lodge, Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
NNBW: Tell us about your dream job. Why aren't you working it?
Bible: I've actually had several dream jobs. The first was parking cars during the summer when I was in law school at Harrah's Tahoe. Serving as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission was also a dream job. Next was serving as chairman of the University of Nevada, Reno, Foundation. I currently have a dream job serving as non executive chairman of Fisher Communications, Inc.
NNBW: What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes? How do you spend your time away from work?
Bible: I love to hike and I am an avid reader. Away from work I travel, attend UNR sporting events and enjoy the many hiking trails around Lake Tahoe.
NNBW: Have any advice for someone who wants to enter your profession?
Bible: Get an undergraduate degree in one of the sciences so you can go into patent law and find a job.
NNBW: Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job.
Bible: Trying a mining claim dispute in federal court with my friend Mike Mackedon. The case started out as a preliminary injunction litigation and ended up after several days in court as a trial on the merits. It is a case I tried long ago but it is still the leading case in Nevada holding that monumentation on the ground is controlling where recorded maps conflict. The case is Lombardo Turquoise Mining and Milling Co. v Hemanes.
NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Bible: Treat everyone with respect.
NNBW: If you could live your life over again, what one thing would you change?
Bible: I would not burn any bridges.
NNBW: What has been your biggest professional disappointment?
Bible: Not attaining the best result for a client.
NNBW: What can you do that someone else can't?
Bible: I can't think of a thing.
NNBW: If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?
Bible: No.
NNBW: What's the last concert or sporting event you attended?
Bible: The UNR vs University of Washington basketball game. The Pack won in overtime!
NNBW: Where's your perfect vacation spot?
Bible: Maui in the winter. Lake Tahoe the rest of the year.
NNBW: Why did you choose a career in northern Nevada? What do you like most about working/living here?
Bible: I work here because this is where I grew up. My friendships are what I like most about working/living here.
Know someone whose perspective you want to share with NNBW readers? Send contact information to: rsabo@nnbw.biz or call (775) 850-2146.
The basics:
Name: Paul A. Bible, senior partner, Lewis and Roca
Number of years in this job? One year
Years in this profession? 46 years
Education: Degree in economics from the University of Nevada, Reno; juris doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center
Last book read? "Wild Bill Donovan, The Spymaster who created the OSS and Modern American Espionage"
Favorite flick? "12 Angry Men"
What's on your iPod? I have an iPhone and iPad. The apps I use the most are the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times apps. I also have a Kindle for books when I travel.
Spouse, kids or pets? Wife Judy; adult sons Chad and Patrick; grandchildren Madison and Collin. No pets at present time.
