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Transcript of interview with Jim Olson by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White, February 2, 2017
Date
2017-02-02
Archival Collection
Description
As Las Vegas native Jim Olson looks back on his law career, he keeps returning to the case that gouged a sooty scar on his memory, altered legal practice and technology in Southern Nevada, captured the world's imagination, and changed international building codes-the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino fire of November 21, 1980, that killed 85 people and took eight years to litigate. Olson became involved with the litigation because his firm, Cromer, Barker, and Michaelson, represented the MGM Grand's insurance company, INA, Insurance Company of North America. Juggling thousands of claims, Olson ended up working with the MGM's corporate counsel in Los Angeles, a legal firm in Denver, Lloyd's of London, and a special master; renting additional office space for taking depositions; hiring graveyard-shift transcribers, and purchasing the legal world's latest technological marvel-a fax machine. As a first grader, five-year-old Jim was known to walk home during the school day whenever the St. Joseph nuns scared him. As an attorney whose career path was inspired by Perry Mason and augmented by his argumentative streak, Jim offers insights into litigation about some of Southern Nevada's most iconic buildings, signs, and spaces. In this interview, he recalls his mentors, Al Gunderson, George Cromer, Bill Barker, and Kent Michaelson. He talks of construction defect cases including his first MGM Grand litigation, in which his firm represented the architect, Martin Stern, when faulty siding fell off the building, and the 1994 lawsuits that followed when the top of the newly constructed, 365-foot Las Vegas Hilton sign blew down in a windstorm. He shares tales of legendary fellow attorney Mike Hines and his annual Nevada Bar Association parties on the Mike Hines Ranch, and he speaks to litigation between Hank Greenspun, Howard Hughes, and Hughes Tool Company.
Text
Transcript of interview with Blaine Benedict by Barbara Tabach, November 12, 2015
Date
2015-11-12
Archival Collection
Description
Throughout this interview, Blaine shares stories of his father, Alvin Benedict. Al owned and operated Benedict and Remy Plumbing Business for a few years before entering into casino management. He is considered to be the first college educated executive and had an illustrious executive career at the MGM. He also was a co-founder with Susan and Irwin Molasky of Nathan Adelson Hospice.
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Interview with Jacob "Chic" Hecht, May 11, 2004
Date
2004-05-11
Archival Collection
Description
Narrator affiliation: U.S. Senator
Text
Interview with Ernest Benjamin Williams, October 27, 2004
Date
2004-10-27
Archival Collection
Description
Narrator affiliation: Budget and Logistics, Atomic Energy Commission, U.S. Department of Energy
Text
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) College of Liberal Arts Diploma Ceremony program
Date
1995-05-13
Archival Collection
Description
Commencement program from University of Nevada, Las Vegas Commencement Programs and Graduation Lists (UA-00115).
Text
Slide of United States Marshal Claude Williams and his family outside of his office, Nevada, April 18, 1931
Date
1931-04-18
Archival Collection
Description
A black and white image of U.S. Marshal Claude Williams and his family in front of his office. The words "U.S. Marshal" are spelled out in white rocks in front of the building.
Image
Fine, Mark L., 1946-
Mark Fine was born February 10, 1946 in Cleveland, Ohio, and was raised with a strong Jewish identity. When Fine was in fourth grade, his parents moved the family to Shaker Heights, and again moved to Arizona during his senior of high school. Upon graduation, Fine enrolled at the University of Arizona and became a member of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity. He graduated in 1964 with a degree in business administration with an emphasis in real estate.
Person
