Rafael Nones is the Co-Director of Training, Recruiting, and Internships and a Chief Deputy Public Defender at the Clark County Public Defender’s Office. Since joining the office in 2009, he has dedicated his career to representing indigent clients in complex criminal matters, including kidnapping, murder, and drug trafficking. His extensive trial experience includes the completion of 22 felony jury trials and over 100 misdemeanor trials and preliminary hearings.

Throughout his tenure, Rafael has been selected for several elite specialized units, including the Homicide Team in 2013 and the Sexual Assault Team in 2022, where he handles cases punishable by life in prison. His excellence in public service has been recognized by Nevada Business Magazine, which named him one of the “Top 15 Government Attorneys in Nevada” for three consecutive years (2012–2014).

A fluent Spanish speaker, Rafael brings a unique multidisciplinary background to his legal practice. Before transitioning to law, he was a Certified Public Accountant and worked as a Financial Auditor for Arthur Andersen, LLP, and as a Senior Financial & Revenue Analyst for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., where he managed portfolios exceeding $800 million. He also served as an Adjunct Professor at Nevada State College, teaching Accounting and American Legal & Constitutional History, where he was honored as the “2013 Adjunct Faculty of the Year”.

Rafael earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Boyd School of Law in 2008. He also holds a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Florida State University. He is a member of the Nevada State Bar and the Florida Bar.