A Look at Reese, Ring, Velto’s Union Business Model and Local Politics
This is a look at how a Five-Lawyer Boutique Firm Became Nevada’s Go-To Union Counsel and How they intersect with local politics.
Apr 07, 2026
When most people in Reno hear “Reese Ring Velto,” they might think of a small boutique law firm in Reno and Las Vegas. What they may not realize is that this Five-lawyer, ten-staff operation is quietly one of the most influential players in Nevada labor politics, and their revenue model runs almost entirely on union contracts and intersects with local politics.
Devon Reese sits on the Reno City Council and is currently running for mayor; Alex Velto sits on the Reno Planning Commission, and Nathan Ring is the husband of State Senator Nicole Cannizario, who is currently running for Attorney General, as they negotiate pay raises for union members that taxpayers must cover.
Union Contracts as the Engine
The Nevada Police Union (NPU) provides the most transparent window into RRV’s business.
In its 2023 IRS Form 990, the NPU reported paying $159,106 in legal fees to represent state troopers in “job-related matters.”
That single line item made up 95% of the union’s reported program expenses.
RRV also boasts other heavyweight clients:
Nevada State AFL-CIO
Southern Nevada Building Trades Unions
Building and Construction Trades Council of Northern Nevada
Each of these umbrella groups controls or coordinates with dozens of local unions. When RRV represents the council, it often means de facto representation of multiple affiliates (electricians, plumbers, ironworkers, and more).
Estimates from concerned parties suggest that RRV serves 8–10 unions statewide. If each union pays in the ballpark of $150,000 annually, that adds up to $1.2–$1.5 million in steady revenue.
2023 IRS Form 990 showing the NPU reported paying $159,106 in Legal Fees
The Firm’s Structure and Personnel
RRV is a compact, tightly run boutique legal firm:
Devon Reese (Founder, Reno) – The architect of the business model. He brought the Nevada Police Union business with him from his previous law firm.
Nathan Ring (Partner, Las Vegas) – Expanded the portfolio by bringing in building trades unions and labor clients from Southern Nevada.
Alex Velto (Partner, Reno) – Initially, a junior lawyer pulled in by Reese, he has become the firm’s public face in union matters, including arbitration for the NPU.
Bradley Combs (Associate, Reno) – Junior attorney handling research, filings, and support.
Another junior lawyer – Providing additional coverage for routine matters.
Support staff includes paralegals, legal assistants, and administrators who help keep costs lower than large firms while supporting repeatable, contract-driven work.
What a Nextdoor Post Reveals About Reno’s Budget Crisis, Political Spin, and Public Distrust
Councilmember Devon Reese has had many interactions with residents about city issues, including the budget.
Finances: Revenue, Salaries, and Profit
Here’s and estimate of how the money likely shakes out:
Revenue (Estimated)
$1.2M – $1.5M annually (almost entirely from unions).
Salaries (Estimated)
Reese (Founder): $160k–$180k base.
Ring (Partner, Las Vegas): $140k–$160k base.
Velto (Mid-career Partner): $110k–$130k base.
Combs + one junior lawyer: $80k–$90k each.
Subtotal (lawyers): $570k–$650k.
Staff (10 people @ ~$50–55k each): $500k–$550k.
Overhead (Estimated)
Dual offices, insurance, benefits, tech, travel: $200k–$250k.
Total Expenses (Estimated)
$1.27M – $1.45M annually.
Net Profit (Estimated)
At $1.2M in revenue → break-even or small deficit.
At $1.5M in revenue → $50k–$230k profit.
Profit is likely split mainly between Reese and Ring, with Velto receiving a modest share. Juniors and staff receive salaries only.
How Devon Reese’s Fundraising Slowed in 2025 and Where His 2024 Donors Went
According to Secretary of State records, Reese’s fundraising is declining as he runs for mayor.
What It Means: Influence, and Public Cost
RRV appears to have a steady and stable cash flow:
Steady cash flow: Union dues guarantee predictable revenue.
Influence: By representing both the Nevada Police Union and statewide labor councils, RRV sits at the nexus of public safety and political organizing.
Indirect taxpayer impact: Every dollar unions spend on RRV to fight arbitration battles can ripple into higher settlements, expanded overtime rules, or richer benefit packages, all of which are funded by the public purse.
This is happening while Devon Reese is on the city council and Alex Velto is on the Reno Planning Commission.
The structure highlights how a handful of lawyers, with a lock on union clientele, can leverage relatively modest revenues into disproportionate political influence.
The Cycle of Union Lawyering
Here’s how the cycle works:
Union dues flow in from members (police officers, tradesmen, supervisors).
RRV bills fees for arbitration, negotiations, and legal representation.
Arbitration wins (such as the 2025 victories for NPU’s Unit G and Unit L) lock in higher pay or benefits.
Taxpayer funds cover those increased compensation costs.
The cycle repeats the following year with new negotiations and arbitration.
This explains in part by the fact that Reno has a budget deficit.
Closing Thoughts
Reese Ring Velto, PLLC, is small in size but outsized in importance. With five lawyers, ten staff, and a single business model centered on union representation, it earns enough to keep partners comfortable and staff secure while quietly shaping Nevada’s labor landscape.
The question for the public is whether union-funded lawyering, which translates directly into taxpayer obligations, is transparent enough. Right now, the only glimpses into that system come from IRS filings and watchdog journalism. For Nevadans footing the bill, that may not be enough.
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