A temporary restraining order (TRO) is a short-term court order, often issued ex parte (without notice to the opposing party), to preserve the status quo until a fuller hearing can be held — typically lasting up to 14 days under Nevada Rule of Civil Procedure (NRCP) 65(b). Some legal problems can’t wait for the regular litigation timeline. The TRO is the tool when the harm is happening now.
What this practice area covers
Common Reno TRO scenarios Dane handles
- Trade-secret misappropriation — combined NRS 600A / DTSA TRO with seizure (see Trade Secret Litigation)
- Non-compete enforcement — TRO halting competitive employment under NRS 613.195
- Partnership freeze-outs and bank-account access disputes
- Asset dissipation in fraud or breach-of-fiduciary cases
- Mechanic’s-lien foreclosure where property is about to change hands (see Payment & Lien Litigation)
- Land-use and development disputes with imminent permit deadlines
- Wrongful commercial lockouts by landlords or tenants
- Construction-site demolition or improper work about to be performed
Approach
The early filings make or break the case
A Nevada TRO requires a clean affidavit showing immediate and irreparable injury, a tight legal theory that’s likely to succeed, a bond sized to cover the defendant’s potential damages if the TRO is later dissolved, and compliance with NRCP 65(b)’s ex parte requirements — certified efforts to give notice or a written reason notice shouldn’t be required, plus a justification for why irreparable harm will occur before notice can be served.
Losing a TRO motion can hurt the rest of the case — the early filings often make or break the negotiating posture for the next twelve months. Dane has handled emergency-motion practice in the Second Judicial District Court of Nevada, the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, and California state and federal courts.
Frequently Asked Questions
TRO practice — frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a TRO in Nevada?+
A Nevada TRO can be issued the same day on a true ex parte showing of immediate irreparable harm under NRCP 65(b), but most TROs go out within 24-72 hours after the motion is filed and any required notice attempts are made. The order itself usually lasts up to 14 days, after which a preliminary-injunction hearing is held.
Do I need a bond to get a Nevada TRO?+
Almost always, yes. NRCP 65(c) requires the moving party to post security in an amount the court considers proper to pay damages and costs the restrained party may suffer if the TRO turns out to be wrongful. The bond can range from a nominal amount to substantial sums depending on the matter.
What is ‘irreparable harm’ under Nevada law?+
Harm that cannot be adequately compensated by money damages — for example, loss of trade secrets, dissipation of a unique asset, loss of customer goodwill, or imminent destruction of property. Pure economic injury that can be measured in dollars usually doesn’t qualify.
Can a TRO be issued without notice to the other side?+
Yes — that’s the ex parte TRO under NRCP 65(b). It requires either certified efforts to give notice (and an explanation of why notice failed) or a written reason notice shouldn’t be required, plus a showing that irreparable harm will occur before the other side can be served.
What happens after a TRO is granted?+
The TRO lasts up to 14 days. During that window, the court schedules a preliminary-injunction hearing where the defendant gets full notice and an opportunity to respond. The four-factor preliminary-injunction test is then applied (see Preliminary Injunctions).
Can I get a TRO against a former employee in Nevada?+
Yes — if the underlying non-compete is enforceable under NRS 613.195, the employee is taking specific identifiable trade secrets, or there’s clear evidence of customer-solicitation in violation of an enforceable agreement. These cases turn on speed and on the quality of the evidentiary record.