Jeff Donato
Director of Licensing & Regulatory Compliance
As co-founder and partner, Jeff has various roles within the Argentum team. As the Director of Licensing and Regulatory Compliance for Argentum Law, Jeff has over a decade of experience in privilege licensing. Since 2007, Jeff has been and continues to be solely responsible for all aspects of State and local licensing, including liquor and restricted gaming, for over 200 corporate and franchise owned convenience stores within Nevada for the world’s largest convenience store chain and one of the nation’s largest gasoline retailers. Additionally, Jeff works closely with property/business owners to secure land use entitlements for various types of uses, including liquor, gaming and marijuana uses. In particular, Jeff has substantial experience working directly with elected officials, management, and staff on land use and privilege licensing matters in jurisdictions such as Clark County, Washoe County, Douglas County, Nye County, City of Las Vegas, City of North Las Vegas, City of Henderson, City of Reno, City of Sparks and City of Pahrump, among others.
Since its inception in 2014, Jeff has been directly involved with the marijuana industry in Nevada and the licensing of marijuana establishments, including the licensing for dispensary, cultivation, and production facilities. In addition, Jeff successfully licensed a liquor distributor as one of the first marijuana distributors in Nevada. Jeff continues to work directly with the Nevada Department of Taxation – Marijuana Enforcement Division and local licensing jurisdictions on all aspects of licensing and compliance for medical and recreational marijuana establishments, including, without limitation, obtaining and renewing licenses, transfer of interests, relocations, expansions, appointments of and updates to officers and board members, and agent cards.
Jeff honorably served in the United States Air Force and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration. Jeff is an enrolled agent with the Nevada Gaming Control Board and was a former educational surrogate parent for children with special needs within the foster care system.
