Ashley Nikkel (’12) Coaches the Next Generation to Victory

For Ashley Nikkel (’12), success in the courtroom isn’t the only measure of impact. This spring, the William S. Boyd School of Law alumna and Managing Shareholder at Parsons Behle & Latimer’s Reno office led the Incline High School “We the People” team to a first-place finish at the Nevada State Championships. The victory earned her students a coveted trip to the National Finals in Washington, D.C., this April.

For Ashley, the moment was more than a win; it was a homecoming. Years ago, she stood in those same students’ shoes, competing in the very same program at Incline High. That early introduction to constitutional law shaped her path to Boyd Law and a thriving legal career.

The Journey Over the Destination

Today, more than a decade into coaching, she has come full circle. Working alongside her former teacher, Milton Hyams, Ashley helps students master complex constitutional principles and defend arguments under pressure.

"Milton modeled a form of coaching and mentoring that focuses on the journey more than the destination," Ashley said. While the competition is a motivator, she finds the true reward in the students' evolution. "The maturity and confidence I see these students develop over the course of six months is deeply rewarding. We are building resilient, thoughtful, and engaged communities one young adult at a time."

This transformation is personal for Ashley. "It’s almost difficult to imagine now, but I had a debilitating fear of public speaking and extremely low confidence when I participated in the program," she reflected. Through patient mentorship, she overcame those obstacles and realized law school was a possibility. "When I see students struggle with those same fears now, it reminds me how much growth potential is within your control with the right support."

Applying Professional Leadership to the Classroom

At Boyd Law, Ashley built the advocacy skills she now models for her students. She served as an Articles Editor for the Nevada Law Journal and argued a criminal trafficking case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Now, she balances a demanding environmental and energy litigation practice with her coaching. Her daily experience as a Managing Shareholder directly informs her teaching style. "My management style focuses on collaboration and communication," she explained. "Frequently, the biggest challenge isn’t understanding a substantive issue. It’s working in a group on tight timelines with competing pressures. We are stronger when we move together in the same direction."

Breakthrough Moments

The intensity of the preparation pays off when students realize they can hold their own in a room full of judges. Ashley recalled a specific moment during the state championship run when a group was struggling with a complex question.

"We slowed the conversation down, unwound their thoughts, and helped them simplify their ideas into a workable framework," she said. "That was an amazing moment because it showed the students that solutions were more within their reach than they initially believed. That group performed far better than I could have expected, and we were extremely proud of them."

A Commitment to Paying It Forward

In addition to coaching, Ashley serves on the Board of Directors for the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement. Her volunteer work ensures that students across the state view the U.S. Constitution not just as history, but as a living framework.

When asked what advice she gives students about "paying it forward," her message is clear: make time for what matters. "I’ve had many moments where I’ve looked at my calendar and thought: ‘I do not possibly have time to drive an hour each direction over a snowy mountain pass for three hours of We the People tonight,’" Ashley admitted. "But I’ve found the time, and I’ve never regretted it. Make time to do the things that build you up with the communities you love."

Boyd Law proudly congratulates Ashley and the Incline High Highlanders on their achievement. When alumni return to invest in the next generation, the impact strengthens the future of the legal profession and civic life in Nevada.