Pat Lundvall, ‘89, graduated from McGeorge School of Law as valedictorian. Over the past three decades, her impressive legal career and unwavering commitment to public service and community involvement have distinguished her among McGeorge School of Law’s alumni.

Currently serving as a Partner at McDonald Carano LLP in Nevada, Lundvall chairs the firm’s statewide Commercial & Complex Litigation Practice Group. She holds dual board certifications in Civil Trial Law and Civil Practice Advocacy from the National Board of Trial Advocacy as well as certification as a Civil Trial Advocacy Specialist by the State Bar of Nevada, respectively, marking her as a trailblazer—the first attorney in Nevada to achieve such credentials.

Pat Lundvall, ’89, Partner at McDonald Carano LLP

Lundvall is the only woman attorney in the State of Nevada ranked in the highest Band 1 category in Commercial Litigation by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. The Commercial & Complex Litigation Practice that Lundvall chairs is also ranked Band 1 in Chambers, making her the only Band 1 ranked woman to lead a Band 1 ranked commercial litigation practice in Nevada.

Her accomplishments extend beyond legal practice. Lundvall is recognized as a Senior Fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America and co-founder of the Complex Commercial Litigation Institute. She has been celebrated in various publications, including Law.com and Of Counsel: The Legal Practice and Management Report, for her professional achievements and leadership in commercial litigation.

Lundvall’s impact reaches into public service, highlighted by her roles on the Nevada State Athletic Commission and advisory panel for the Nevada Department of Transportation, and philanthropy, highlighted by more than 20 years on the Board of Directors of Nevada Military Support Alliance. Her contributions have been acknowledged with numerous awards, including recognition as one of Southern Nevada’s most influential women in business and philanthropy.

Throughout her illustrious career, Lundvall has earned the highest accolades in legal peer reviews and rankings, including AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell and repeated listings in Mountain States Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America.

Her dedication to excellence and service was underscored by receiving the prestigious President’s Award from the National Board of Trial Advocacy for her pivotal role in securing a landmark legal victory. Her success in Fremont Emergency Services vs. UnitedHealth Group set records for its significant impact on contract law, resulting in a jury verdict awarding $60 million in punitive damages and $2.7 million in compensatory damages to her client, plus attorney’s fees and costs. This victory is recognized as the largest in Nevada and the largest in Contract Law in ALM’s Top 25 Verdicts report covering the 13-state western United States region in 2021.

Another of Lundvall’s high-profile litigations includes her success in California State Franchise Tax Board v. Hyatt. Following a complete defense victory, the Court awarded her client $2 million in recoverable costs in 2022, representing a celebratory conclusion to more than 24 years of litigation in a case that also overturned U.S. Supreme Court precedent dating back to 1979.

Lundvall’s contributions to law, community, and professional leadership continue to set a standard of excellence. As McGeorge School of Law celebrates its 100-year anniversary, Lundvall will be celebrating her 30-year anniversary at McDonald Carano LLP.

Throughout 2024, the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law will celebrate members of its vast alumni network in honor of the school’s 100-year anniversary. This post is part of a series highlighting 100 exceptional McGeorge School of Law alumni.   

Stay tuned for more blog posts as we celebrate the law school’s centennial anniversary.