LAS VEGAS – July 11, 2019 – The State Bar of Nevada has honored Bank of Nevada with the prestigious 2019 Medal of Justice Award in recognition of its consistent support of the legal community and legal aid organizations which ensure all citizens have access to justice.
The award was presented during the State Bar of Nevada’s 2019 Annual Meeting on June 27 in Vail, Colorado.
The Medal of Justice Award recognizes organizations that have consistently, and over many years, demonstrated leadership in their support of legal aid organizations and the legal community.
Bank of Nevada was selected as the Medal of Justice recipient in part because of its sponsorship allowing for free continuing legal education (CLE), its willingness to host fundraisers for legal aid organizations, and its assistance to county bar associations, the State Bar of Nevada and Nevada Bar Foundation.
“We are extremely proud of our alliance with the Nevada State Bar, and with many legal aid organizations that serve our community by providing the access to justice that all Nevadans deserve,” said John Guedry, CEO, Bank of Nevada. “We are gratified to accept the Medal of Justice Award and look forward to continuing our strong support of the legal community in the future.”
According to the Nevada Bar Foundation, Bank of Nevada is the single largest contributor to legal aid services in Nevada through Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOTLA) funds. In 2018, Bank of Nevada voluntarily agreed to increase the interest rate paid on Nevada IOLTA accounts which will result in an annual increase of half a million dollars to the Nevada Bar Foundation. The Nevada Bar Foundation distributes funds to organizations that provide no-cost or low-cost legal services to those in need.
As a result of Bank of Nevada’s strong leadership, several other financial institutions have raised IOLTA rates which further increases funds for legal assistance to those Nevadans struggling to make ends meet.
“Bank of Nevada is a highly valued legal industry partner. They have shown true legal industry leadership by offering free legal education, hosting fundraisers supporting legal aid for Nevada’s most vulnerable, supporting county bar associations, as well as the State Bar of Nevada and Nevada Bar Foundation in our efforts to advance the legal community and protect the public,” said Richard Pocker, 2018-2019 president, State Bar of Nevada. “This institution stands out, and is most worthy of this prestigious honor,” he said.
Previous recipients of the Medal of Justice Award include the founders of the Lawyers Concerned For Lawyers Program providing confidential assistance to lawyers in need, as well as the creators of the so-called drug court, a specialty court focused on breaking the addiction cycle for improved societal outcomes.
Bank of Nevada and First Independent Bank are divisions of Western Alliance Bank. Both bank divisions’ contributions are reported as one financial institution on the State of Nevada IOLTA accounts report as of March 2019.
Learn more about Western Alliance Bank’s Nevada divisions:
About Bank of Nevada
Bank of Nevada, a division of Western Alliance Bank, Member FDIC, helps business clients realize their growth ambitions. Founded in 1994, Bank of Nevada offers a full spectrum of loan, deposit and treasury management capabilities, plus superior service. With 10 offices in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas and Mesquite, along with Western Alliance Bank’s powerful array of specialized financial services, the banking division is a valued resource for Southern Nevada’s business, real estate, professional, municipal and nonprofit communities. In a first among Nevada financial institutions, Bank of Nevada in 2018 earned the Community Commitment Award for Financial Education from the American Bankers Association Foundation for its work with Title I schools through the Green Our Planet organization. Western Alliance Bank is the primary subsidiary of Phoenix-based Western Alliance Bancorporation. One of the country’s top-performing banking companies, Western Alliance is ranked #1 regional bank by S&P Global Market Intelligence for 2018 and in the top 10 on the Forbes “Best Banks in America” list for four consecutive years, 2016-2019. For more information, visit bankofnevada.com.
About First Independent Bank
First Independent Bank, a division of Western Alliance Bank, Member FDIC, helps business clients realize their growth ambitions. Founded in 1999, First Independent Bank offers a full spectrum of loan, deposit and treasury management capabilities, plus superior service. With six offices in Reno, Sparks, Carson City and Fallon, along with Western Alliance Bank’s powerful array of specialized financial services, the banking division is a valued resource for Northern Nevada’s business, real estate, professional, municipal and nonprofit communities. Western Alliance Bank is the primary subsidiary of Phoenix-based Western Alliance Bancorporation. One of the country’s top-performing banking companies, Western Alliance is ranked #1 regional bank by S&P Global Market Intelligence for 2018 and in the top 10 on the Forbes “Best Banks in America” list for four consecutive years, 2016-2019. For more information, visit firstindependentnv.com.