Sonia Church Vermeys

Sonia Church Vermeys

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Background

Nearly 30 years’ experience representing leading gaming companies. Skilled at navigating Nevada’s regulatory requirements. Deep understanding of licensing requirements and strategies to ensure clients secure licensure and remain in compliance.

Sonia Church Vermeys helps clients navigate Nevada's complex regulatory requirements related to commercial development and liquor and gaming licensing. Her practice primarily focuses on commercial transactions, including complex financings, with an emphasis on gaming, liquor and land use matters. Sonia also assists gaming and gaming supplier companies with multijurisdictional licensing requirements. She frequently represents clients before regulatory agencies including the Nevada Gaming Control Board and the Nevada Gaming Commission. 

Sonia’s hands-on knowledge of the hospitality industry—she advises several major hospitality brands on alcohol and gaming licensing matters—allows her to help clients build a regulatory foundation that guides them from acquisition through operation. She draws on her work with the Nevada Gaming Control Board on new regulation initiatives to advise clients on their compliance policies and procedures. 

On the commercial development side of her practice, Sonia advises clients on purchase and sale agreements and financing transactions, particularly those with hospitality and licensing requirements. She also advises on land use regulations for project development and special events, helping clients avoid regulatory delays and conflicts with local agencies.  

    Representative Matters

    Gaming and Liquor Regulatory

    • Counsel to Highgate Hotels L.P. in connection with hotel management and liquor licensure at the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel, the Westin Las Vegas Hotel & Spa, and Oyo Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.

    • Represented DeSimone Gaming Inc. and its principal Joseph DeSimone in connection with non-restricted gaming applications for licensure to operate the Railroad Pass Hotel & Casino. Shepherded the applications through the investigations and appeared with the applicants before the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada Gaming Commission. Currently representing DeSimone Gaming Inc. for licensure of The Pass at Water Street, fka The Eldorado Casino.

    • Advised one of the world’s largest sports betting and gaming groups on all aspects of gaming and regulatory requirements to ensure a successful gaming licensing experience.  Our firm was retained in part because of our experience in successfully representing UK-listed gaming companies with regard to their operations in the US and globally, as well as our strength of reputation for assisting major gaming companies in navigating the gaming regulatory process.

    • Brownstein is acting for a leading US-based gaming services company which has developed skill-based gaming devices that some are calling the wave of the future in the gaming industry.  Our national gaming team is assisting our client in an application for a manufacturer and distributor license for these devices.  We are currently processing applications and are closely involved in developing the company’s strategy for the approval of its ground-breaking devices.  Our team has over 40 years of experience in the gaming regulatory process for gaming devices, and our work demonstrates the significant benefits of this experience for new entrants to this market.

    Land Use

    • Counsel to subsidiaries of Caesars Entertainment Corporation in connection with use permits, design reviews, temporary commercial permits and other land use entitlement applications for various development projects for their casino, restaurant and entertainment properties.

    Insights & Publications

    Credentials

    Education

    • J.D., 1993, University of San Diego School of Law, cum laude
    • B.F.A., 1988, University of Southern California, cum laude

    Admissions

    • Nevada

    Memberships

    American Bar Association

    Clark County Bar Association

    State Bar of Nevada

    International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA)

    National Association of Licensing & Compliance Professionals (NALCP)

    Community Involvement

    COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

    Pro Bono Counsel, Lutheran Social Services of Nevada

    Board of Directors, Lutheran Social Services of Nevada, 2009 - 2016

    Former Board President, Lutheran Social Services of Nevada, 2012

     

    Recognition

    AWARDS:

    "Sonia is great at brainstorming solutions that provide the right results and she is easy to work with." – Chambers USA, 2023

    "She's a very strong advocate." – Chambers USA, 2022

    Best Lawyers in America, 2009-2025

    Chambers USA, America's Leading Business Lawyers, 2004-2009, 2022-2024

    Who's Who Legal - Sports and Gaming, 2021

    Vegas Inc Top Lawyers, Gaming, 2020, 2024

    AV® Preeminent™, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating

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