Reno Reporter

A long-time Reno defense lawyer whose clients included celebrities and highly publicized murder cases and who died last weekend was "a great advocate," a colleague said in a social media post.

Reno-area eminent domain and appellate litigation attorney Steven Silva recalled in a Twitter post his dealings with long-time defense attorney David Houston, who died Saturday, Dec. 13, at age 69.

Nossaman LLP Attorney and Partner Steven Silva | linkedin.com/in/steven-silva-1145897/

"Mr. Houston and I had some matters together over the years, and I always found him to be a terrific attorney and a great advocate for his clients," Silva said in his Twitter post the same day.

Silva, who was judge pro tempore for almost six years at Reno Municipal Court and until this month was an law instructor at Truckee Meadows Community College, joined Nossaman LLP as an attorney and partner in October, according to his LinkedIn page.

Houston died following complications suffered after surgery he'd undergone around Thanksgiving, the Reno Gazette Journal reported, citing information from Houston's friend and law partner Ken Lyon.

Houston practiced law in Reno for more than 30 years. He was best known for the caliber of some of his clients, who included former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan and Jones West Ford businessman Richie West, who pled guilty for his part in the 2016 opioid pill mill case. Other clients included Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis and pianist Liberace's ex-lover Scott Thorson.

Houston also represented those who lost their homes in the Little Valley Fire of 2018 in litigation against the Nevada Division of Forestry.

"I think it would be appropriate to say he has touched the lives of the people of the community," Lyon said in the Gazette Journal's news story. "He was a force in a legal community. He was my mentor."

Lyon also told the Gazette Journal that he and others in the local legal community now are trying to pick up the pieces of current cases Houston left behind.

"You could talk to any attorney and they would say Dave was one of the most outstanding legal minds," Lyons said. "If law enforcement or judges are in trouble they went to Dave."

Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks, who has held that seat since 2014, told the Gazette Journal about his experience opposing Houston in court. That included the murder trial of Chaz Higgs, who was found guilty in 2007 in the of first degree murder of his wife, former state controller Kathy Augustine.

"For many years, Dave and I were fierce competitors in the courtroom but we were friends outside of it," Hicks said. "He was an incredible advocate for his clients with a sound understanding and presentation of the law. He will be missed greatly."