“My workers' compensation case was a very difficult one. My treatment including recommended surgery was denied because I had a preexisting condition. Rafael took my case and was able to litigated it sucessfully forcing the Insurance company to approve all treatment including the surgery.”

Felicitas

About Rafael Mariano

Licensed Nevada lawyer specializing in workers’ compensation with 22 years of experience in the legal field.  Mr. Mariano formed Mariano & Associates, PLLC, after approximately 8 years of litigation experience at a law firm in Reno, Nevada.

Biography

Rafael’s Introduction

Watch Rafael Mariano share his passion for defending injured workers and explain how our firm fights for you.

Rafael Mariano is a licensed Nevada lawyer specializing in workers’ compensation with 22 years of experience in the legal field. Mr. Mariano formed Mariano & Associates, PLLC, after approximately 8 years of litigation experience at a law firm in Reno, Nevada.  

There, he worked primarily on workers’ compensation and personal injury cases.  Previous to that, Mr. Mariano worked as a paralegal in Reno, Nevada for 9 years, and became a licensed Nevada attorney in 2015.  Mr. Mariano is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. 

Mr. Mariano received his law degree from the Catholic University of Santos – School of Law in December 2000, with his thesis in international law.  In 2004, he completed a Post Graduation lato sensu in Labor Law at the Catholic University of Santos – School of Law.  

Mr. Mariano received his license to practice law in Brazil in 2001 and practiced law in Brazil as a senior associate until 2005 for a renowned law firm in the state of São Paulo, practicing in the areas of labor and civil law. 

During this period, Mr. Mariano won a landmark suit against the state of São Paulo and later the Brazilian Federal Government to ensure the gratuitous distribution of the insulin Lantus to diabetics.  

In 2012, Professor David B. Wilkins from Harvard Law School, Dean Frank D. Durand from William S. Boyd School of Law, and the State Bar of Nevada certified that Mr. Mariano’s legal education in Brazil is functionally equivalent to the legal education received by an American Bar Association accredited law school.  

Mr. Mariano was a member of the Advisory Committee for the paralegal program at the Career College of Northern Nevada (“CCNN”) from 2010 through 2014, was an instructor in the paralegal program at CCNN from 2010 to 2011, served as a board member of the Mount View Montessori School from 2018 through 2020, and is a member in good standing of the Nevada Justice Association.  

Awards & Recognitions

Harvard Law School Certification

Rafael's dedication to ongoing legal excellence includes having his legal education formally certified by Harvard Law School, ensuring his litigation strategies remain razor-sharp against powerful corporate insurance adversaries.

Recognition from US Senator Jackie Rosen

Rafael received prestigious congressional recognition from U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen, honoring his outstanding dedication and exceptional service representing Nevada’s severely injured workforce.

Rising Star Award for Workers’ Compensation

Voted entirely by his peers and competitors, Rafael was honored with this award for his persistent, highly successful workers' compensation litigation across Northern Nevada.

Best of Sierra Nevada 2025 - Bronze Winner

Voted by the local community and legal peers, Rafael proudly secured the Bronze Award, highlighting his unmatched commitment to defending injured Nevadans.

Publications

Recognized as a leading legal voice, Rafael frequently contributes to this esteemed publication, sharing complex litigation strategies to help shape Nevada's workers' compensation laws.

Invited to write for this highly respected legal magazine, Rafael provides expert commentary and crucial insights into navigating challenging workers' compensation claim disputes.

Leading You Every Step of The Way

As a local firm, we pride ourselves on offering a deeply personal touch that massive corporate law offices simply cannot match. We guide you through every complicated legal hurdle, offering seamless multi-lingual support and translation so you always clearly understand your rights.

We never leave you in the dark. In fact, Rafael Mariano will personally attend your Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) exam alongside you, providing unwavering support, minimizing your stress, and ensuring the physical evaluation is completely fair and accurate.