Michael Ivan Gowdey

Michael Ivan Gowdey

4.8
Rating: 8.8

Licensed for 33 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Las Vegas, NV
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Divorce & Separation, DUI & DWI, Car Accidents

815 S. Casino Center Blvd., Las Vegas, NV

About Michael

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 35%

I have practiced criminal defense for 18 years, and have represented more than 1500 clients in cases ranging from permeditated murder to petty theft. I am well respected and charge reasonable rates for my prepresentation.

35 years | 1,500 cases

35%
Divorce and Separation 25%

35 years | 400 cases

25%
Car Accident 20%

35 years | 500 cases

20%
DUI and DWI 20%

35 years | 800 cases

20%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Nevada for 25 years

State: Nevada

Acquired: 2000

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in California for 33 years

State: California

Acquired: 1992

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Michael I. Gowdey, Ltd.

815 S. Casino Center Blvd., Las Vegas, NV, 89101

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Michael Ivan Gowdey's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

56 Client Reviews

Posted by Athena | August 29, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

The best and sharpest lawyer i’ve came across!

Michael is the best lawyer one can have by their side. He is extremely experienced and sharp in this field, squashing big cases left and right for myself as well as my peers! He took the time to study my case and negotiated my case all the way down to the bone to get me the total best offer possible.... His prices are excellent especially for the work he does, the moment he took over my case for me i knew i was in good hands! I couldn’t be happier to have worked with Michael, he gave me the opportunity to correct my past mistakes and move forward with a better future as well as sealing my record. I HIGHLY recommend!

Posted by Dianna | January 10, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Successful custody outcome

Without Mr. Gowdey’s help I would not have been awarded sole custody of my daughter. He is aggressive in the best way and that’s how he gets the job done.

Posted by Taylor | November 21, 2024 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

THE TRUTH

This lawyer is a clown and i honestly believe to be one of the most money hungry people I have ever met. I'm not going to say the entire story cause it is so much worse and if I would of known at the time I would of handled it alot differently. But it goes deep really deep and i am just going to repo...rt on these other factors on what this lawyer did. Alot more happened but i didnt catch it in time to legally do anything and i finished probation with honorable discharge so I got out of it. But this guys a horrible attorney and thats a fact. He literally called the DA in henderson and got them to file my drug trafficking case when they had basically declined to prosecute the charges. I had two court dates where both times they failed to move forward and eventually declining to prosecute and didn't set any more court dates. Cause I slipped up and gave him all the money up front when I seen that there was no more court dates and the state didn't file I had asked for my money back before the year that they had to still move forward. Now it's 3 years but back then it was 1 year and a day to file charges. But I didn't think this guy was really that money hungry but he is. He tried to ruin my life so he didnt have to give me the $7500. I promise u on my kid i am telling the truth. This weirdo is very ruid to all his clients and literally hes not respected at the vegas justice system Noone likes him and he charges way to much just cause he is In Draskavichs building. But I can prove everything I'm saying and it's all 100% facts. He didn't want to return my money so he called down there and got them to file on me so he didnt have to return They tried to do me so foul. It goes even deeper way deeper then this. But I'm going to leave what I can say. But this guy tried to.ruin my life for money luckily I had other really good lawyers to get me out of what this clown got me into. Don't hire him at all!!!

Posted by anonymous | September 9, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

One of the best in NEVADA!

Hired him for divorce and definitely recommend! He got things done and was quick & efficient! Top lawyers in the whole state!

Posted by anonymous | August 11, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Case Closed

I spoke to Mr. Gowdey over the phone and requested his help in getting a case dropped for a friend that got into some trouble in Vegas. He was hired through phone conversation only and did exactly what he said he would do. My friend didn't have to return to Nevada to appear and her case was dismissed... as promised. We were both very pleased with the outcome.

See All Client Reviews

Michael Ivan Gowdey's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Michael
William Michael Horvath headshot
William Horvath

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Gowdey is a fierce litigator who advocates for his clients. I have observed Mr. Gowdey in court and would recommend his services."

James Oronoz headshot
James Oronoz

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 28

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have known Michael for over ten years. Over that time frame, as I have seen him defend his clients in court, I have been consistently impressed with his strong commitment to the well-being of his clients. Michael is a powerful courtroom advocate who is always prepared and ready to take on the prosecution. I wholeheartedly endorse Michael and recommend him to anyone to looking for top-flight representation in Las Vegas."

Michael R. Pandullo headshot
Michael Pandullo

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Michael Gowdey is one of the best criminal defense attorneys in Las Vegas. His style is aggressive and effective, and I've been impressed by his performance in court on several occasions over the years."

View All Endorsements
William Michael Horvath headshot
William Horvath

Criminal defense lawyer

Michael R. Pandullo headshot
Michael Pandullo

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.8 (Excellent)

Honors

2015

Best Lawyers in Las Vegas, MYVEGAS Magazine

2015

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association

2015

Top 20 DUI Attorneys in Nevada, National Association of DUI Attorneys

2014

Best Lawyers in Las Vegas, MYVEGAS Magazine

2014

Top 100 Men of Success, MYVEGAS Magazine

2014

Top 25 Criminal Layers in Las Vegas, Las Vegas Top 25.com

2014

Top 25 DUI Lawyers in Nevada, National Association of DUI Defenders

2013

Best Lawyers in Las Vegas, MyVegas Magazine

2013

100 Most Influential People in Las Vegas, MYVEGAS Magazine

2011

Southern Nevada Justice Association, Trial Lawyer of the Year

Work Experience

1993 - Present

Owner, Law Offices of Michael I Gowdey, Ltd.

1992 - Present

Chief trial Attorney, Law Offices of Michael I. Gowdey, Ltd.

1992 - 1993

Attorney, Federal Public Defender- San Diego California

Associations

2012 - Present

National Trial Lawyers

Member

2007 - Present

National Association of Trial Attorneys

Member

1999 - Present

American Trial Lawyers Association

1992 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Sample of Legal Cases

State of Nevada v. Sheyland Barnett

All charges dismissed

City of Las Vegas v. Lawrence Bayers

Not guilty

City of Las Vegas v. Thomas Forrest

Not guilty of Domestic Violence

State of Nevada v. Foxx

Not guilty

State of Nevada v. Estrada

Day of trial dismissal of all charges

See More Legal Cases

Education

1992

California Western School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1989

San Diego State University

Undergraduate

Speaking Engagements

2007

Nevada Continuing Legal Education Seminar

Voir Dire in Criminal Trials-Picking the Right Jury

2005

Nevada Criminal Continuing Legal Education Seminar

The Criminal Trial From Start to Finish in Nevada- The Defense

Languages

English

Spanish

Thai

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution