From Dean Sara - January 28, 2022

As the new spring semester begins, we are thrilled to welcome back students, faculty, and staff to the law school. Some of us are here in person, while others remain online, but we are grateful to be back together however that happens.  There is a lot happening at the law school in the coming weeks. As many of you know, we are currently engaged in the search for the next Dean of the law school; I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to engage with our first two candidates and encourage all of you to attend the upcoming sessions to meet our final two candidates. Please remember to share your feedback with the search committee as we seek a visionary new leader for the law school.

I also want to congratulate and thank the more than 280 Boyd alumnae, students, and staff who were recognized at the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada’s Annual Pro Bono Awards Luncheon on December 10. 3L Greer Sullivan was named the Public Interest Law Student of Distinction and Sager Raich, JD ’13, was the recipient of the Ask-A-Lawyer Community Commitment Award. Jason Onello, JD ’16, was honored as the Pro Bono Attorney of the Year. More than twenty years ago, the law school was founded with a mission that emphasized the importance of community involvement and service.  Our students leave Boyd with a strong and deep commitment to service, and we are always gratified to see our students, alumni, and faculty leading in efforts to serve the communities where they work and live.  

Finally, I would like to invite you to join us for two exciting events coming up soon at the law school: 

• On Thursday, February 3 at 3 p.m. the law school will welcome Andrei Iancu, former Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, current partner at Irell & Manella LLP, and Senior Adviser and Co-Founder of the Renewing American Innovation Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Mr. Iancu will give a talk entitled “Access to Vaccines and Medicines: Patents as Incentives or Impediments?” Please join us as Mr. Iancu and Professor Marketa Trimble discuss the role that the patent system has played in incentivizing or impeding the development and distribution of new pharmaceuticals, including Covid-19 vaccines. This event, which will take place in the Thomas & Mack Moot Court building and will be simultaneously broadcast on Zoom, is approved for one (1) Nevada CLE credit. Click here to RSVP. 
• On Tuesday, February 8 at noon, the Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution will welcome Professor Rhett Larson, the Richard Morrison Professor of Water Law at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. In his talk entitled “Water Dispute Dilution,” Professor Larson will discuss the promise and pitfalls of a “water dispute dilution” approach to water management, when and why water augmentation may aggravate or mitigate water conflicts, and possible reforms to facilitate resolution of water disputes. This event will be offered exclusively online and is approved for one (1) Nevada CLE credit. Click here to RSVP.