Attorney Gerald M. Welt was recently honored by the Clark County Commission for the work he has done with the Las Vegas Clark County Library District for more than four decades. The commissioners presented Welt with a Proclamation outlining his achievements, and noting his work with the Las Vegas Clark County Library District (LVCCLD).
In 1977 Attorney Welt had been practicing law for just 4 years when he opened his own firm. He had a few non-lawyer friends that needed representation for their businesses and personal needs. Busy attorneys in other firms sent him referrals and cases they could not take. And he had a friend who told him that the Las Vegas Library needed representation. It was more out of his love for books and libraries, than his need for income, that drove him to apply, and his young enthusiasm and low bid got him a position that he still holds, 46 years later, as the library district's General Counsel. He is the library's second attorney, following Milton Keefer. Welt says that he has enjoyed working with the libraries' brightest, most committed, forward thinking, and creative staff and leadership. He said that he has been honored to help with the growth of Las Vegas, and Clark County, by his work with the LVCCLD.
Aside from contracts and human resources decisions, Attorney Welt has facilitated the library's growth, known now as the Las Vegas Clark County Library District (LVCCLD), from just 1 location to 25 locations which circulates 1 million items each month, hosts 35,000 programs each year, and has a monthly visitor count of 325,000 guests. He is in almost daily contact with the district's Executive Director and the Chair of the Trustees he represents. First amendment and second amendment rights are also part of the library district’s discussion. He deals with public meeting laws, a board of directors and union issues. As the award winning library district continued to grow and issues became more specific, Welt called on other attorneys to represent the district. He works with several attorneys who help guide the LVCCLD through legal issues.
Welt received his Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law in San Diego, California. He has been in practice since 1973. He has served on the Nevada Justice Association Board of Governors since 1979 as a board member, treasurer, president-elect, president and chief administrative officer. Attorney Welt was the co-chair of Citizens for Justice from 1992-2010. Additionally, he has been a moderator and instructor for the People’s Law School in the subject of Social Security Disability/SSI. He is a member of the Clark County Bar Association and has been active in the State Bar of Nevada as a member and chair of the Lawyers’ Referral and Information Services committee. Welt has volunteered in a variety of capacities for numerous charitable and non-profit organizations and he has received a proclamation for his library work from both the Clark County Commission and the City of Las Vegas.
At Welt Law, Attorney Welt with his daughter and partner Tiffany Welt Doctors, protect the people of Nevada by representing them in the areas of Social Security Disability/SSI and Guardianship. And, of course, he still represents LVCCLD.