Paul S. West concentrates his practice in the area of gaming law. He represents casino owners, operators, suppliers and financiers in all areas of gaming law, from regulatory to transactional to litigation. He also has experience advising local governments on gaming issues. Mr. West is a seasoned commercial litigator, and has handled numerous jury trials involving substantial damages and issues.
Mr. West served as 2010 President of the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA) and is an adjunct professor at Louisiana State University where he teaches Introduction to Gaming Law at the Paul M. Hebert Law Center. He is a shareholder in the Firm's Baton Rouge office. Mr. West was previously head of the Gaming Law Section at McGlinchey Stafford for over 15 years.
Recent Representative Matters
- $100 million acquisition of a casino, together with all regulatory approvals and local real estate and financing details.
- Local approvals for national casino owner of multiple financing transactions.
- Renewal of licenses for riverboat projects in Louisiana.
Publications & Speaking Engagements
- Co-author – "Problem Gamblers Pose Problems for Casinos: A Roundtable Discussion," Gaming Law Review and Economics, Vol. 14, No. 2 (2010)
- "Gaming Companies on the Brink? Cut the surprises, increase the chances," Casino Journal (December 2008)
- Co-author – "Powers of Local Government Project Regulations: A Review of the St. Charles Parish, Louisiana Gaming Case (St. Charles Gaming Company, Inc. v. The Riverboat Gaming Commission, et al," Passenger Vessel News, Vol. 6, No. 4 (2001)
- Numerous speaking engagements at IAGA conferences, G2E, Southern Gaming Summit, ABA seminars and similar venues
Professional Honors & Activities
- AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Listed among The Best Lawyers in America® in the area of Gaming Law and Corporate Law since 1995
- Listed as Tier 1 attorney in Chambers USA in the area of Gaming & Licensing since 2010
- Listed as a Louisiana Super Lawyer in Gaming since 2007
- President – The International Association of Gaming Advisors (2010)
- Past President – Baton Rouge Bar Association; and member of the Board of Directors (1988 – 2000)
- Member – Baton Rouge Bar Foundation Board of Directors
- Member – Louisiana State Bar Association: 2011 Annual Meeting Committee; Assistant Bar Examiner; Member of House of Delegates (1989 – 2004); Vice-Chair of the Continuing Legal Education Committee; Member of the Nominating Committee (1995 – 2000); Co-Chair of Summer School for Lawyer's Committee (1995 – 1996); Named as "Outstanding Young Lawyer of Louisiana" (1992)
Admissions
- Louisiana (1980)
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana (1981)
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana (1981)
- United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana (1983)
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (1986)
Education
- Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center, J.D., 1980 (Phi Kappa Phi)
- Louisiana State University, MBA, 2005
- Louisiana State University, B.A., 1977