Leigh Goddard

Leigh Goddard is the Managing Partner of McDonald Carano’s Reno office and Chair of the firm’s Trust, Estate & Fiduciary Litigation Practice. Leigh also has extensive experience in complex commercial litigation and employment litigation. She represents clients in state and federal court and handles all aspects of litigation, from investigation through filing of initial pleadings, discovery, and motion practice, to trial. Leigh is AV Preeminent Peer Review rated in Martindale-Hubbell and is a Senior Fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America. She received the Lawyer of the Year award in Trusts & Estates Litigation for the Northern Nevada region in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Trust, Estate & Fiduciary Litigation Leigh represents beneficiaries, guardians, personal representatives, trustees, conservators, and executors. Her comprehensive experience in fiduciary, trust and estate litigation matters includes claims for breach of fiduciary duty, will and trust contests, fiduciary misconduct, fraud, financial elder abuse, adult guardianships, surcharge, and actions for recoupment of funds. Commercial & Complex Litigation Leigh represents local, national, and international businesses in claims involving contract disputes, trade secret violations, tortious interference, breach of fiduciary duty, business entity dissolutions, enforcement and defense of non-competition covenants, fraud, misrepresentation, conversion, defamation, unfair trade practices, and appointment of receivers. Employment Leigh represents employers and management. This includes defending against discrimination claims and wrongful termination claims in state and federal courts, defending against charges before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Nevada Equal Rights Commission, counseling employers in personnel issues, investigation of illegal harassment and discrimination complaints, and evaluating demotion and termination decisions. Her representation has also included pursuing and defending claims in state and federal court related to enforcement of employment covenants not to compete.