×
Go back to Martindale-Avvo ➔

Greenberg Traurig, LLPShare Holder
no photo
Pro

Sean Michael McGuinness

4.9
1 review

1200 17th Street, Suite 2400, Denver, CO 80202

Gaming, Securities Offerings, Corporate & Incorporation and 1 more

About Sean Michael McGuinness

Sean McGuinness represents gaming industry clients in regulatory, licensing, and compliance matters across the United States. He advises commercial gaming operators, sports betting companies, tribal gaming entities, and financial institutions on regulatory requirements in Nevada, Colorado, Iowa, Mississippi, and other jurisdictions. Sean handles matters before state gaming control boards and commissions, assists clients with licensing applications and regulatory approvals, and provides guidance on gaming bankruptcy proceedings. His practice encompasses both commercial and tribal gaming sectors, with particular focus on navigating multijurisdictional regulatory frameworks.

Sean’s regulatory practice includes representing gaming operators before the Nevada Gaming Control Board, the Nevada Gaming Commission, the Colorado Division of Gaming, the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission, the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission, the Mississippi Gaming Commission, and the National Indian Gaming Commission. He has participated in gaming regulatory matters in Arizona, California, Canada, Illinois, Ireland, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Virginia, Switzerland, Tinian, and Washington. Sean counsels clients on licensing requirements, regulatory compliance, new game approvals, and the regulatory aspects of gaming industry transactions. He also represents banking clients in financing transactions involving licensed gaming entities.

Sean brings direct industry experience to his practice, having served as Vice President and General Counsel for The Resort at Summerlin (1997-2001), where he handled legal and regulatory matters for the Swiss Casinos-owned property. He previously served as Compliance Director for the Mississippi Gaming Commission (1992-1993), where he gained firsthand knowledge of regulatory enforcement and compliance procedures. Sean began his gaming law career as an administrative law clerk for the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission, involved with drafting of Iowa’s initial gaming regulations developing an understanding of regulatory processes from the government perspective. He maintained a private gaming law practice in Mississippi from 1994 to 1997. After his time with The Resort at Summerlin, Sean returned to private law practice of gaming law in 2001 and practiced gaming law for 25 years in his prior firms’ Las Vegas, Reno and Denver offices before joining Greenberg Traurig in 2026.

In addition to gaming regulatory work, Sean has experience in communications law, handling FCC broadcast licensing and compliance matters for radio stations in Colorado, Mississippi, and Nevada. This background provides him with broader regulatory perspective that informs his gaming practice.

Sean maintains active involvement in gaming law organizations, having served as Past Chair of the American Bar Association Business Law Section’s Gaming Law Committee and on the Executive Committee of the State Bar of Nevada’s Gaming Law Section. He is a member of the International Association of Gaming Advisors and International Masters of Gaming Law. Sean frequently presents on gaming law topics at industry conferences and has authored numerous articles on gaming regulation, compliance, and emerging industry issues.

Recognition & Leadership

Awards & Accolades

•Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Gaming Law, 2009-2026
•Lawyer of the Year, Gaming Law (Denver), 2020 and 2025
•Listed, Chambers USA Guide, Gaming & Licensing, 2008-2017 (Nevada) and 2021-2025 (Nationwide)
•Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Mountain State Super Lawyers
•Top 100 - Gaming, 2007-2018
•Listed, The Irish Legal 100, 2023
•Listed, Business Today, “Top 10 Nationwide Gaming & Licensing lawyers,” 2023
•Rated, AV Preeminent 4.9 out of 5.0

 

Sean Michael McGuinness (Denver, Colorado) View website

Awards

AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Sean Michael McGuinness got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Reviews for Sean

Have you consulted or hired this lawyer?

Leave a review about your experience with this lawyer.

Write a Review

Overall Rating
4.9
See All Reviews
1
Lawyers.com
Not yet reviewed
4.9
Martindale
1
Avvo
Not yet reviewed

Services

Areas of Law

  • Other 4
    • Gaming
    • Securities Offerings
    • Corporate & Incorporation
    • Native Peoples Law

Practice Details

  • Firm Information
    Position
    Shareholder
    Firm Name
    Greenberg Traurig, LLP
  • Representative Cases & Transactions
    Cases
    Experience: In-House Experience: Vice President
    General Counsel, The Resort at Summerlin, 1997-2000
    Vice President
    General Counsel, KDEN Radio, 1991-1992
    Government Experience: Compliance Director, Mississippi Gaming Commission, 1992-1993
    Previous Experience: Law Clerk, Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission, 1989-1990
  • Additional Links
    http://https//www.gtlaw.com/

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1990, Iowa
    1994, Mississippi
    2000, Colorado
    2001, Nevada
    Memberships

    Professional & Community Involvement

    •Exclusive Gaming Law Representative - Colorado, Cross Border Advisory Solutions
    •Member, American Bar Association,
    •Member, Business Law Section,
    •Chair, Gaming Law Committee, 2003-2007
    •Member, International Association of Gaming Advisors
    •Member, International Masters of Gaming Law
    •Co-Chair, IMGL Autumn Conference, Dublin, 2016
    •Member, Colorado Bar Association
    •Member, Gaming Entertainment & Sports Section
    •Member, State Bar of Nevada,
    •Member, Gaming Law Section
    •Member, Executive Committee, 2004-2016
    •Member, Iowa State Bar Association
    •Member, Mississippi Bar
    •Member, Denver Bar Association
    •Member, Clark County Bar Association
    •Member, Washoe County Bar Association
    •Board of Counselors, Drake University Law School, 2025-Present
    •Board Member, Irish Network Nevada, 2013-Present
    •Board Member, Irish Network USA, 2017 -Present
    •Board Member, CelticFest Mississippi, 1993-1997
    •President 1995-1997
    •Member, Broadcast Pioneers of Colorado, 2016-Present

  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    Drake University Law School
    Class of 1989
    J.D.
    Other Education
    Drake University
    Class of 1986
    B.A.
    Political Science/Religion

    Drake University
    Class of 1989
    M.A.
    Journalism

Activity

Legal Community Contributions

Email Sean Michael McGuinness

Case type is required.
I am is required.
First name is required.
Last name is required.
A valid zip code is required.
Country is required.
State is required.
A valid city is required.
A valid email address is required.
A valid phone number is required.
Message is required.
0/1000 characters

By clicking the Submit button, you agree to the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms and Privacy Policy. You also consent to be contacted at the phone number you provided, including by autodials, text messages and/or pre-recorded calls, from Lawyers.com and its affiliates and from or on behalf of attorneys you request or contact through this site. Consent is not a condition of purchase.

You should not send any sensitive or confidential information through this site. Emails sent through this site do not create an attorney-client relationship and may not be treated as privileged or confidential. The lawyer or law firm you are contacting is not required to, and may choose not to, accept you as a client. The internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent though this site could be intercepted or read by third parties.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. See Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Thank you! Your message has been successfully sent.

For your records, a copy of this email has been sent to test@test.com.

Summary of Your Message
Case Type:
I am a/an:
First Name:
Last Name:
City:
Zip Code or Postal Code:
State:
Country:
Phone Number:
Message:
Return to Profile Reset Form

Attorneys FAQs

  • What year was this attorney first admitted to the bar?
    Sean Michael McGuinness was admitted in 1990 to the State of Iowa.
  • Is this attorney admitted to the bar in more than one state?
    Yes, Sean Michael McGuinness is admitted to practice in Colorado, Iowa, Mississippi and Nevada.
  • How many attorneys are in this law firm?
    Greenberg Traurig, LLP has 2750 attorneys at this location.
  • What year was this attorney's law firm established?
    Greenberg Traurig, LLP was established in 1967.

Attorney information displayed in this FAQ section is based upon 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.

These FAQs include information about a lawyer's background, but do not evaluate their knowledge of the law, past performance on individual cases, personality, or communication skills.

It is solely the responsibility of lawyers and law firms to ensure that any information they provide complies with all applicable laws and rules of professional conduct.

You should be aware that the information we rely upon may not be comprehensive, or frequently updated.

Always research the lawyer further to get a better understanding of their license credentials, disciplinary status, background, and experience.

Lawyers.com Client Reviews

Martindale-Hubbell® Client Review Ratings™ display reviews submitted by individuals who have either hired or consulted the lawyers or law firms.

The Client Review Rating score is determined through the aggregation of validated responses. People who submit reviews are either individuals who consulted with the lawyer/law firm or who hired the lawyer/law firm and want to share their experience of that lawyer or law firm with other potential clients. Reviewers can be anyone who consults or hires a lawyer including in-house counsel, corporate executives, small business owners, and private individuals.

Martindale-Hubbell validates that a reviewer is a person with a valid email address. As part of the review process, respondents must affirm that they have had an initial consultation, are currently a client or have been a client of the lawyer or law firm identified, although Martindale-Hubbell cannot confirm the lawyer/client relationship as it is often confidential. The content of the responses is entirely from reviewers.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome and Martindale-Hubbell accepts no responsibility for the content or accuracy of any review. For more information on Martindale-Hubbell Client Review Ratings, please visit our Client Review Page

Martindale Peer Reviews

Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ are the gold standard in attorney ratings, and have been for more than a century. These ratings indicate attorneys who are widely respected by their peers for their ethical standards and legal expertise in a specific area of practice.

The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings process is the gold standard due to its objectivity and comprehensiveness. Lawyers solicited for peer reviews include both those selected by the attorney being reviewed and lawyers independently selected by Martindale-Hubbell. All reviewers are verified as attorneys through Martindale-Hubbell’s extensive attorney database. Only attorneys practicing at least three years and receiving a sufficient number of reviews from non-affiliated attorneys are eligible to receive a Rating.

What are the different Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings?*

• AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

• Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

• Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Lawyers who have received peer reviews after 2009 will display more detailed information, including practice areas, summary ratings, detailed numeric ratings and written feedback (if available). Details for individual reviews received before 2009 are not displayed.

Attorneys that receive reviews from their peers, but not a sufficient number to establish a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating, will have those reviews display on our websites.

For more information on Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings™, please visit our Ratings Page on Martindale.com and our Frequently Asked Questions