meet: andy gabriel:

Attorney: ‘Rational, steady growth’ is on the horizon

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Andy Gabriel is a partner at McDonald Carano Wilson LLP.

Name: Andy Gabriel

Company: McDonald Carano Wilson LLP

Title: Partner

What’s new with McDonald Carano Wilson?

As our law firm continues to help clients navigate the rough waters of the recession, we are seeing gradual stability come to Southern Nevada. My practice focuses on commercial real estate, which has been hit especially hard. We work daily with property owners, lenders and investors to chart a course for coming out of the recession as strong as possible to take advantage of new opportunities.

Although we don’t anticipate anything like the astronomical growth of the mid-2000s, we see rational and steady growth ahead for our market with increased activity in purchase and sale transactions, leasing, continued loan workouts and new commercial lending.

What is the best business advice you have received, and who did it come from?

I received sound advice from a partner at my law firm in Los Angeles when I was a new associate attorney faced with the possibility of a very bad outcome to a situation: “Don’t worry, the world will not stop spinning as we know it.”

In other words, take a breath, assess the issues, use available input and make an informed decision. The result will not be terrible.

What challenges do you face doing business here?

My challenges come from our clients’ challenges. Generally, Nevada has been an excellent place to do business since I moved here in 1992. Today’s challenges come from the realities of the economic crisis. Leaner budgets mean everyone needs to accomplish more with less.

What is the best part about living in Las Vegas?

The vibrancy of Southern Nevada, both as a place to do business with a great entrepreneurial spirit that includes embracing newcomers and change and as a world-class destination resort with varied entertainment, dining and shopping. Southern Nevada has a good quality of life, including affordable living, an abundance of natural beauty right outside our front door and close proximity to so many beautiful surrounding destinations for easy getaways.

What are you reading right now?

“Generation Kill” from the reporter embedded with the Marines in the early days of the war in Iraq in 2003.

What do you do after work?

I enjoy regular exercise, traveling with my family and going to the many performing arts activities in which my daughters participate.

Blackberry, iPhone or Android?

iPhone.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

With McDonald Carano Wilson, winding down my law practice and passing the mantle to younger lawyers in the firm.

Whom do you admire and why?

Winston Churchill, a great statesman and wartime leader in a time of incredible difficulties for his country, facing a bleak future with no certain outcome.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

The heat in the summer in Las Vegas. I’d be happy if we could tone it down about 10 degrees.

Anything else you want to tell us?

Every day, I wake up thankful for what I have, for my wonderful wife and daughters, for my friends, for the collegiality of my law firm colleagues and for my good health. I wish the same on everyone.

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