Latham & Watkins Advises San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority in Acquisition of the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (San Manuel or the Tribe) and the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority (SMGHA) have announced a definitive agreement for a subsidiary of SMGHA to acquire the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada from Red Rock Resorts, Inc. The transaction is expected to close later in 2021, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Latham & Watkins LLP represents the Tribe in the transaction. The finance and real estate team was led by San Diego partners Sony Ben-Moshe and James Mann, and Los Angeles partner Kenneth Askin, with San Diego associates Jeff Gonzalez and Will Swanson. The corporate team was led by Orange County partner Michael Treska, with Orange County associates Brett Urig, Paul Jeffrey, Mekbeb Hagos, and Trevor Yedoni. Advice was also provided on tax matters by Chicago partner Joseph Kronsnoble, with Chicago associate Michael Zucker; on intellectual property matters by Orange County counsel David Kuiper; on benefits and compensation matters by San Diego partner Holly Bauer; on environmental matters by Orange County partner Chris Norton; and on litigation matters by Orange County partner Andrew Gray, with Orange County associate Wesley Horton.