LLC and Corporation Representation in Nevada Small Claims Court

Your business just got served with small claims court papers in Nevada. The first question most business owners have is whether they need to hire a lawyer — and in most courts, a corporation or LLC must be represented by counsel. Small claims court is the exception.

The NRS 73.012 Rule

Under NRS 73.012, a corporation, LLC, partnership, or business trust can be represented in Nevada small claims court by a director, officer, or employee — no attorney required. The statute does not limit this to full-time employees. This is a deliberate exception to the general rule that entities must have legal counsel in civil litigation.

NRS 73.012 does not separately require the representative to have actual knowledge of the dispute or authority to settle. In practice, choose someone who knows the facts and can discuss settlement.

Who Qualifies as a Designated Representative

The statute is specific about who can represent the business:

• Director — a member of the board of directors
• Officer — CEO, president, secretary, treasurer, or equivalent
• Employee — NRS 73.012 does not specify full-time status; someone with direct knowledge of the facts is the practical choice

Part-time employees may qualify. A contractor, outside consultant, or family member who is not also a director, officer, or employee is not among the categories listed in NRS 73.012.

Practical Considerations

Even though attorney representation isn't required, nothing prevents a business from hiring a lawyer for small claims court. The trade-off is cost: under NRS 73.040, attorney fees are generally not recoverable in small claims actions. That means even if you win, you're paying your own legal bills.

For most small claims cases under $10,000, the cost of hiring an attorney may approach or exceed the claim amount. Sending a knowledgeable officer or manager who can present the facts clearly is usually the more practical choice.

What the Representative Should Bring

The representative needs the same evidence any defendant would bring:

• Contracts, invoices, receipts, or purchase orders relevant to the dispute
• Communication records (emails, texts, letters) between the business and the plaintiff
• Photos, repair estimates, or inspection reports
• Three copies of everything — one for the representative, one for the judge, one for the plaintiff

The representative should also bring proof of their role at the company (a business card, letter from the company, or corporate resolution) in case the judge or plaintiff challenges their authority to appear.

Sole Proprietors and Single-Member LLCs

If you're a sole proprietor being sued in the business name, you can represent yourself directly — no NRS 73.012 analysis needed. A single-member LLC is still an entity: NRS 73.012 lists directors, officers, and employees, not members as a separate category, so the member must also qualify under one of those listed roles to represent it.

The Nevada Small Claims Response Guide covers entity representation requirements, evidence preparation, and hearing-day procedures for both businesses and individuals.

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