Competitor PR Landscape
Competitive PR Scorecard
Section titled “Competitive PR Scorecard”Audited 2026-03-30. Covers PR wire activity, earned media, and press patterns for 10 Las Vegas criminal defense competitors.
| Firm | Wire Releases Found | Most Recent | Platform | Estimated Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodman Law Group | 1 confirmed | Dec 2025 | PR Newswire | ~1/year (award announcements) |
| Hofland & Tomsheck | None found | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Las Vegas Defense Group | None found | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| De Castroverde | 3+ confirmed | Dec 2024 | NV Business Magazine PR Wire | ~2-3/year |
| The Defenders | 1 confirmed | Jun 2019 | PR Newswire | Infrequent |
| LV Criminal Defense | None found | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Brown Law Offices | None found | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Draskovich Horvath | None found | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Spartacus | 3 confirmed | Jan 2026 | OpenPR | ~3-4/year |
| Joel Mann | 1 confirmed | 2023 | 24-7 Press Release | Infrequent |
Detailed Findings by Firm
Section titled “Detailed Findings by Firm”1. Goodman Law Group
Section titled “1. Goodman Law Group”PR Wire Releases:
| Date | Headline | Platform | Syndication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 10, 2025 | ”Attorney Ross C. Goodman Named to the 2025 Best of Las Vegas List for Criminal Defense and DUI Defense” | PR Newswire | Morningstar, Aspen Daily News, KITV, Pierce Media Arts, and others |
- Source: PR Newswire
Earned Media / Press Mentions:
| Outlet | Type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| CNN | TV / Online | Case commentary |
| MSNBC | TV | Case commentary |
| ESPN | TV / Online | Case commentary |
| ABC News | TV / Online | Case commentary |
| CourtTV | TV | Case commentary |
| The New York Times | Print / Online | Case coverage |
| The Los Angeles Times | Print / Online | Case coverage |
| Rolling Stone | Print / Online | Case coverage |
| The Daily Beast | Online | Case coverage |
| The Guardian | Print / Online | Case coverage |
| The New York Post | Print / Online | Case coverage |
| Ralston Reports | TV (local) | Case discussion |
| Las Vegas Review-Journal | Print / Online | Best of Las Vegas recognition |
Notable Coverage Pattern: Goodman leverages his high-profile case portfolio (Tupac homicide suspect Duane “Keefe D” Davis, Jerry Lewis firearm case) and family name (son of former mayors Oscar B. and Carolyn Goodman) to generate national earned media. Uses PR Newswire for award announcements. Strongest national media footprint of all competitors.
Confidence: Verified (PR Newswire release confirmed; national media mentions cited on firm website and Wikipedia)
2. Hofland & Tomsheck
Section titled “2. Hofland & Tomsheck”PR Wire Releases: None found on PR Newswire, BusinessWire, GlobeNewsWire, or OpenPR.
Earned Media / Press Mentions:
| Outlet | Type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| NBC Dateline | National TV | High-profile homicide case coverage |
| CBS 48 Hours Mystery | National TV | Homicide case coverage |
| Oxygen Network (Snapped) | National TV | Criminal case documentary |
| Investigation Discovery (Las Vegas Law, Murder Among Friends) | National TV | Criminal case documentaries |
| HBO Max | Streaming documentary | Documentary project |
Notable Coverage Pattern: Tomsheck earns media through involvement in high-profile homicide cases that attract documentary and true-crime show producers. No evidence of paid PR wire distribution. All coverage appears to be earned via case notoriety. Strong national TV presence in the true-crime genre.
Confidence: Likely accurate (media appearances cited on firm website at homicidedefenselawyer.org and lvnvlawfirm.com; specific show names confirmed across multiple sources)
3. Las Vegas Defense Group (Shouse Law)
Section titled “3. Las Vegas Defense Group (Shouse Law)”PR Wire Releases: None found on any major wire service.
Earned Media / Press Mentions:
| Outlet | Type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| COURT-TV | National TV | Attorney Michael Becker discussing the Harvey Weinstein case |
| CDC Gaming | Trade publication | Won reversal of suspension for former Mandalay Bay security chief |
| Las Vegas Review-Journal | Print / Online | Keeping client in high-profile case out of jail; Best of Las Vegas Gold 2017, 2018 (Best Criminal Defense Firm) |
Notable Coverage Pattern: Media coverage driven by notable case outcomes rather than PR distribution. Maintains an “In the Media” page on website (shouselaw.com/nv/defense/media/). Uses case wins as organic PR. No wire distribution strategy detected.
Confidence: Likely accurate (media page confirmed on firm website; Review-Journal awards referenced in search results)
4. De Castroverde Law Group
Section titled “4. De Castroverde Law Group”PR Wire Releases:
| Date | Headline | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 2024 | ”De Castroverde Law Group Honored with Four Recognitions in the 2024 Best of Las Vegas Awards” | Nevada Business Magazine PR Wire |
| Aug 2024 | ”De Castroverde Law Group Hosting Seminar to Educate Las Vegas Locals on New ‘Parole in Place’ Program” | Nevada Business Magazine PR Wire |
| Sep 2021 | ”De Castroverde Law Group and Lights FC Team Up to Thank Nonprofits, First Responders and Frontline Workers With Free Game Tickets” | Nevada Business Magazine PR Wire |
| Sep 2019 | ”Attorney Brandonn Grossman Joins De Castroverde Law Group” | Nevada Business Magazine PR Wire |
- Source: Nevada Business Magazine
Earned Media / Press Mentions:
| Outlet | Type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Fox 5 Vegas | Local TV | Orlando De Castroverde commentary on fatal motorcycle crash (Jan 2019); Cubans celebrating Castro death (Nov 2016) |
| Las Vegas Now | Local TV | Firm coverage |
| Nevada Business Magazine | Trade publication | Multiple features |
| Vegas Chamber | Business award | Business of the Year 2022 |
| Las Vegas Review-Journal | Print / Online | Best of Las Vegas awards (Immigration, DUI/DWI) |
Notable Coverage Pattern: Most active PR wire user among competitors, but uses Nevada Business Magazine wire (regional) rather than national wires like PR Newswire. Combines community engagement events (Lights FC partnership, Parole in Place seminar) with award announcements. Strong local/regional media presence. Immigration law expertise gives them a unique media angle none of the other criminal defense firms can match.
Confidence: Verified (press releases confirmed on Nevada Business Magazine; awards confirmed across multiple sources)
5. The Defenders
Section titled “5. The Defenders”PR Wire Releases:
| Date | Headline | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 13, 2019 | ”The Defenders Criminal Defense Attorneys Recognizes the 53rd Anniversary of Miranda Rights” | PR Newswire |
- Source: PR Newswire
Earned Media / Press Mentions:
| Outlet | Type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Local/national media (unspecified) | Various | Cases featured in media per firm website |
Notable Coverage Pattern: Used PR Newswire at least once for a thought-leadership style release (Miranda Rights anniversary) tied to a free consultation offer. Maintains a media room on website (thedefenders.net/media-room/) and a “Cases in the Media” page. Announced partnerships with Nevada Association of Public Safety Officers (NAPSO) and Nevada CURE. PR activity appears infrequent; last confirmed wire release was 2019.
Confidence: Verified (PR Newswire release confirmed); earned media details are not publicly verified (firm claims media features but specific outlets not enumerated)
6. LV Criminal Defense
Section titled “6. LV Criminal Defense”PR Wire Releases: None found on PR Newswire, BusinessWire, GlobeNewsWire, OpenPR, or 24-7 Press Release.
Earned Media / Press Mentions:
| Outlet | Type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| MYVEGAS Magazine | Print (cover) | Nicholas Wooldridge cover feature (Issue 319) |
Notable Coverage Pattern: No wire distribution strategy detected. Founder Nicholas Wooldridge’s media presence is limited to a magazine cover feature and directory listings. Firm relies on directory profiles (Super Lawyers, Avvo, Top 100 Trial Lawyers) rather than press coverage for visibility.
Confidence: Likely accurate (MYVEGAS cover confirmed in search results; no PR wire activity found across multiple searches)
7. Brown Law Offices
Section titled “7. Brown Law Offices”PR Wire Releases: None found on any major wire service.
Earned Media / Press Mentions:
| Outlet | Type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Local news (unspecified) | News coverage | High-profile cases including casino robberies, murder trials |
Notable Coverage Pattern: Maintains an “In the News” page on website (thelasvegasdefender.com/in-the-news/) featuring case-driven coverage. Both Philip Brown and Mary Brown are former Chief Deputy District Attorneys, which may generate organic press interest in high-profile cases. No PR wire strategy detected. Media presence appears entirely case-driven and organic.
Confidence: Not publicly verified (firm claims news coverage on website but specific outlets and dates could not be confirmed from external sources)
8. Draskovich Horvath
Section titled “8. Draskovich Horvath”PR Wire Releases: None found on any major wire service.
Earned Media / Press Mentions:
| Outlet | Type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| National media (unspecified) | News coverage | High-profile cases that gained national attention |
| Local news | News coverage | Pamela Bordeaux murder case (retired LVMPD detective) |
| Local news | News coverage | Nevada’s first criminal medical marijuana case |
| Local news | News coverage | Hells Angels and Bandidos motorcycle club cases |
| MYVEGAS Magazine (Issuu) | Print feature | Firm profile |
Notable Coverage Pattern: Draskovich Horvath earns media through notoriety of cases (motorcycle clubs, high-profile homicides, landmark marijuana cases). Frequently asked to speak to local news sources as expert commentators. No PR wire strategy detected. All media appears earned. Maintains an “In the News” page on website (draskovich.com/in-the-news/).
Confidence: Likely accurate (case coverage referenced across multiple sources; specific cases confirmed in search results)
9. Spartacus Criminal Defense Lawyers
Section titled “9. Spartacus Criminal Defense Lawyers”PR Wire Releases:
| Date | Headline | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 6, 2026 | ”Las Vegas DUI Attorney from Spartacus Law Firm Provides Expert Analysis on Nevada DUI Laws in News 3 Feature” | OpenPR |
| Jun 15, 2024 | ”Spartacus Criminal Defense Lawyers Explains the Role of a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Court” | OpenPR |
| May 13, 2024 | ”Spartacus Criminal Defense Lawyers Outlines the Most Common Mistakes Made in Criminal Law Cases” | OpenPR |
- Source: OpenPR - Spartacus releases
Earned Media / Press Mentions:
| Outlet | Type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| News 3 Las Vegas (KSNV) | Local TV | Chandon Alexander providing expert analysis on Nevada DUI laws (Sep 2025 segment) |
Notable Coverage Pattern: Most frequent PR wire user among competitors. Uses OpenPR (a free/low-cost wire service) rather than premium services like PR Newswire. Releases are educational/thought-leadership content rather than award or case announcements. Leverages local TV appearance as basis for PR amplification (appeared on News 3, then issued a wire release about it). Active and consistent cadence of ~3-4 releases per year.
Confidence: Verified (OpenPR releases confirmed; News 3 appearance confirmed via press release)
10. Joel Mann
Section titled “10. Joel Mann”PR Wire Releases:
| Date | Headline | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ”Attorney Joel Mann Recognized as a Best Lawyer by US News for 2023” | 24-7 Press Release |
- Source: 24-7 Press Release
Earned Media / Press Mentions:
| Outlet | Type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| None found | N/A | N/A |
Notable Coverage Pattern: Used 24-7 Press Release (a mid-tier wire service) for an award announcement. No earned media coverage found outside of directory listings. Media strategy appears limited to occasional award-related wire releases. Strong directory presence (Super Lawyers every year since 2011, Avvo 10.0 Superb) but minimal press footprint.
Confidence: Verified (24-7 Press Release confirmed); earned media status is “Not found”
Summary: Competitive PR Landscape
Section titled “Summary: Competitive PR Landscape”PR Wire Activity Ranking (by volume and recency)
Section titled “PR Wire Activity Ranking (by volume and recency)”| Rank | Firm | Wire Releases | Platform Tier | Last Release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spartacus | 3+ | Low (OpenPR) | Jan 2026 |
| 2 | De Castroverde | 4+ | Regional (NV Business Mag) | Dec 2024 |
| 3 | Goodman Law Group | 1 | High (PR Newswire) | Dec 2025 |
| 4 | The Defenders | 1 | High (PR Newswire) | Jun 2019 |
| 5 | Joel Mann | 1 | Mid (24-7 Press Release) | 2023 |
| 6-10 | Hofland & Tomsheck, LVDG, LV Criminal Defense, Brown Law, Draskovich Horvath | 0 | N/A | N/A |
Earned Media Ranking (by breadth and prestige)
Section titled “Earned Media Ranking (by breadth and prestige)”| Rank | Firm | National TV | National Print/Online | Local TV/Print | Primary Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goodman Law Group | CNN, MSNBC, ESPN, ABC, CourtTV | NYT, LAT, Rolling Stone, Guardian, NY Post, Daily Beast | LVRJ, Ralston Reports | High-profile cases + family name |
| 2 | Hofland & Tomsheck | Dateline, 48 Hours, Snapped, ID, HBO Max | None found | None found | True-crime documentary appearances |
| 3 | Draskovich Horvath | Unspecified national | None found | Multiple local outlets | High-profile case work (motorcycle clubs, homicides) |
| 4 | De Castroverde | None found | None found | Fox 5, Las Vegas Now, NV Business | Community engagement + immigration niche |
| 5 | Las Vegas Defense Group | CourtTV (via Becker) | None found | LVRJ, CDC Gaming | Case outcomes |
| 6 | Brown Law Offices | None found | None found | Local news (unspecified) | Case-driven |
| 7 | LV Criminal Defense | None found | None found | MYVEGAS Magazine | Magazine feature |
| 8 | Spartacus | None found | None found | News 3 (KSNV) | TV appearance + PR amplification |
| 9 | The Defenders | None found | None found | Unspecified local | Partnership announcements |
| 10 | Joel Mann | None found | None found | None found | Directory listings only |
Key Takeaways
Section titled “Key Takeaways”-
Most competitors do not use PR wire services. Only 5 of 10 firms have any confirmed wire releases. Half of Las Vegas criminal defense competitors rely entirely on organic/earned media or have no media strategy at all.
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Goodman Law Group dominates earned media. Ross Goodman’s national media footprint (CNN, NYT, Rolling Stone, etc.) is unmatched. This is driven by high-profile cases and his status as son of two former Las Vegas mayors.
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Hofland & Tomsheck has the strongest TV presence. Appearances on Dateline, 48 Hours, and Snapped are high-value earned media placements that no amount of PR wire spending can replicate.
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Spartacus is the most active on PR wires but uses a low-tier platform. OpenPR is free and has limited syndication compared to PR Newswire or BusinessWire. Their strategy of amplifying TV appearances via wire releases is smart but could be more effective on a higher-tier platform.
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De Castroverde has the most consistent PR cadence. They issue releases for awards, events, and hires through Nevada Business Magazine. Their community engagement angle (Lights FC, immigration seminars) gives them press hooks other criminal defense firms lack.
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Opportunity for The Defense Firm: The competitive landscape has a clear gap. Most firms are not investing in PR wire distribution, and the ones that do are using low-to-mid-tier platforms. A consistent PR Newswire strategy with 4-6 releases per year would place The Defense Firm ahead of nearly all competitors in wire activity, and strategic media outreach for expert commentary could close the earned media gap with top-tier firms like Goodman and Hofland & Tomsheck.
Action Items
Section titled “Action Items”- Run PR wire audit for all 10 criminal defense competitors
- Search local news archives for case coverage per firm
- Check each competitor’s website for press/media pages
- Document any TV appearances, podcasts, or published content
- Build PR wire calendar for The Defense Firm based on gaps identified
- Identify local TV producers for expert commentary pitches
- Draft first PR Newswire release for The Defense Firm