Michael Linton

You served our country in the United States Navy. How did that experience shape your world view? 

The Navy shaped me as a person. I joined at the young age of 17. The whole experience taught me discipline in my work and how I conduct myself in everyday life. My military service has given me a heightened sense of patriotism and respect for my country.

Since your discharge, you have undertaken many interesting enterprises here in Las Vegas, yes? 

Yes, I worked at Wynn Las Vegas as a hotel manager and eventually moved over to revenue management, where I yielded hotel room rates. I also started a company called Night Owl where we manufactured a product in China, imported it to the United States, and distributed it to a nationwide retailer. After completing my undergrad, I joined Vegas.com as Client Development Manager, handling hotel partnerships for the company. Eventually, I became General Manager of LasVegas.com, which was a partnership between Vegas.com and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Currently, I am the Business Development Director at a hotel technology provider called Travel Tripper. I negotiate large agreements with hotels to use our technology products.

How have you managed to successfully juggle a busy full-time work schedule with part-time law study?  

Prioritizing has been key. I try to establish a schedule and stick firmly to it. This has enabled me to successfully balance the demands of a full-time job and law school.

You are the editor-in-chief of the UNLV Gaming Law Journal. How goes the journal's work this year?

We are doing some exciting things with Volume 8 of the Journal. Issue 1 goes to publication this fall and is designed to provide useful information to practicing gaming attorneys. Issue 2 goes to publication this spring and will be composed of traditional academic material.