John S. Delikanakis, Partner at our Las Vegas, and Reno law offices
vCard

John S. Delikanakis

Partner
Biography

John is a seasoned litigator with the firm’s commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution groups in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada. As former associate general counsel for an international Fortune 500 company he has a deep understanding of what in-house counsel and commercial clients need and expect of their outside litigators: practical business forward advice and efficient, aggressive, and effective litigation strategies. 

John’s practice ranges from litigating simple and complex cases in various courts and arbitration tribunals across the nation to counseling the C-suite on how to best avoid litigation. His recent caseload is concentrated on E & O and professional liability matters, real estate disputes, business dissolutions, trade secret theft, contracts for the sale of goods and commercial guaranty matters.

Historically, John defended targets of shareholder derivative claims and manufacturers in multi-district products liability cases. He holds an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®. John is also named in The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation (2018-2024).

John’s years of in-the-the trenches litigation experience also prompts business litigants and their lawyers to select him to serve as the arbitrator over their disputes. He enjoys that occasional role and serves on the American Arbitration Association’s (AAA) Commercial Arbitration Panel. John also enjoys teaching future lawyers and sharing his knowledge as an adjunct professor at the William S. Boyd School of Law in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois (inactive)
  • Nevada


Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Illinois
  • Supreme Court of Nevada
  • United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • United States District Court, District of Nevada


Education

  • King’s College, London, LLM International Corporate & Commercial Law
  • Chicago-Kent College of Law (J.D.)
  • Vassar College (A.B.)
Experience

Awards & Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation (2018-2025)
  • Benchmark Litigation, Future Star – Nevada (2017-2018, 2025)
  • AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell® (2024)
  • Mountain States Super Lawyers®, Business Litigation (2012-2020)
  • Legal Elite – Top Southern Nevada Attorneys, Nevada Business Magazine (2019)

Representative Experience

  • Represented a major urban teacher’s union at the district and state supreme court in its bid to secede from the largest U.S. national teacher’s union in a case of first impression in Nevada.
  • Represented a gaming software manufacturer in a complex California based trade secret case involving gaming software and allegations of joint ownership of proprietary intellectual property, fraud, and misappropriation of funds by a former C-Suite executive.
  • Represented a multi-national timeshare company against consumer breach of contract and fraud claims in multiple arbitrations seated across the United States.
  • Defense of multinational hospitality company against class-action consumer claims filed in U.S. District court on basis of various arbitration and venue agreements.
  • Represented a semiconductor manufacturer in a semiconductor supply-chain disruption dispute involving multiple parties and multiple contracts. Mediated utilizing both commercial and legal mediators.
  • Represented national lender against both federal and state lender-liability claims of undue delay in funding during Covid-19 pandemic brought by large developer in U.S. district court arising from a large multi-stage, multi-unit housing development.
  • Multiple representations of commercial landlords and tenants involving breach of commercial lease contracts and re-negotiation of commercial leases involving force majeure and impracticability.
  • Defense of large union in a certified class action arising out of allegations of undue delay in administering medical claims from members of captive health trust administering those claims.

Previous Professional Experience

  • Park Place Entertainment Corporation, Associate General Counsel
  • Nebraska Supreme Court, Judicial Clerk

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • Clark County Bar Association, Board of Governors (2003-2006)
  • American Bar Association

Community Involvement

  • University of Nevada-Las Vegas, William S. Boyd School of Law, Adjunct Professor (2023-Present)
  • Columbia County Historical Society of New York
    • President, Board of Trustees (2023-Present)
  • Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance
    • Chairman, Board of Directors (2016-2018)
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Nevada
    • Chairman, Board of Directors (2016-2018)
  • The Justice Michael L. Douglas PreLaw Fellowship Program
    • Advisory Board (2019-2023)
  • Be Engaged Business and Education Partnership
    • Clark County School District Mentor (2017)
  • Lake Las Vegas Rowing Club
    • Founding Member and Secretary (2016-2018)
  • The Salvation Army
    • Executive Committee, Advisory Board, Las Vegas (2001-2010, 2015-2017)
  • 50 Hour Club, Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada (2015)
  • Honor Roll, Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada (2014, 2018)
  • Beverly Green Neighborhood Association
    • President (2001-2003)

Representative Presentations and Publications

Reported Cases

  • George L. Brown Insurance Agency v. Star Insurance Company, 237 P.2d 92 (Nev. Sup. Ct. 2010)
  • Anvui, LLC, A Nevada Limited Liability Company v. G.L., LLC, A Nevada Limited Liability Company, Supreme Court of the State Nevada (July 26, 2007)
  • Palace REIT v. Betty Engelstad, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (April 14, 2005)
  • Sandie Knutson and Dennis Knutson v. Allis-Chalmers, United States District Court for the District of Nevada (February 23, 2005)
  • Antonio Badillo, et al., v. The American Tobacco Company, United States District Court for the District of Nevada (June 29, 2001)
  • Sabine Young v. County of Clark, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (September 24, 1998)
  • Ciaffone v. Eighth Judicial District Court of State of Nevada, Supreme Court of Nevada (October 1, 1997)
  • Michael J. Padgett v. William O’Sullivan, et al., United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (September 15, 1995)