A graduate of the University of Nevada-Reno (B.A. Journalism 1988), and Santa Clara University School of Law (J.D. 1991, with honors), Barbara W. Gallagher is admitted to practice law in NV, CA, and the District of Columbia. Ms. Gallagher began her legal career in San Francisco at Furth, Fahrner & Mason where she practiced primarily in the area of business law and complex business litigation.
Ms. Gallagher, also known as “Billion Dollar Barbara”, represented the Kellogg Corporation in several international disputes as well as many other corporations and small business litigants. While working in San Francisco, Ms. Gallagher formerly represented famed San Francisco attorney Melvin Belli, known as “The King of Torts”, in a dispute with his law partners where she came to know “Mel” as a personal friend and mentor.
Ms. Gallagher came to Nevada in 1994, returning to her roots, and began practicing law with former Fourth Judicial District Court Judge Thomas Stringfield at the Stringfield Law Offices in Elko.
At the Stringfield Offices, she practiced in business law, family law, criminal law and personal injury. Ms. Gallagher has represented numerous litigants in both State and Federal Court, including before the Supreme Court of the State of Nevada.
Ms. Gallagher is a member of the American Association of Justice and has been “Highly Rated in Both Legal Ability and Ethical Standards” by her peers as monitored by the prestigious Martindale Hubbell. Ms. Gallagher is a member of the Nevada Justice Association’s Board of Governors and also serves as the Northern Nevada chair of the Women’s Caucus for the NJA. She is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
“Billion Dollar Barbara” was the first woman admitted to Elko as a member of the Rotary Club International. She also serves on the Board of the Northern Nevada Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) as well as the Great Basin College Advisory Counsel. Ms. Gallagher also mentors young high school students as part of the Nevada Promise scholarship program. In her free time, Ms. Gallagher enjoys time outdoors and is an avid skier, hiker, and wake surfer. She also loves working out, cooking, and growing herbs, vegetables, and flowers in her garden.
In 2008, Ms. Gallagher formed her own law office, where she continued to practice in personal injury, criminal law and family law. Ms. Gallagher joined Kidwell & Gallagher, Ltd., in 2010.