Boyd Law Students Shine in Competitions, Research, and Leadership
The Spring 2026 semester at the William S. Boyd School of Law was defined by student achievement in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution, through their competition performance, original research, and leadership.
Success on the National Stage
In late February, Francesca Manz and Sandra Scheinost represented Boyd at the ABA Client Counseling Regional Competition hosted by Elon University. The duo delivered a powerhouse performance, becoming one of only six teams to advance to the semifinal round.
Their faculty coach, Pat Chapin, noting that the team earned a perfect score in one of their rounds, stated, "Boyd Law can be proud of them for the execution and professionalism they exhibited before panels of difficult judging."
Innovating Through Research
On April 30, the Dispute Resolution Concentration hosted its end-of-year presentations, featuring innovative proposals from two students:
- Zack Carlow presented his analysis of Nevada’s potential to fill existing gaps and serve as a global hub for international arbitration.
- Francesca Manz proposed a new algorithmic model, based on human input and AI-driven predictions, to support more informed settlement outcomes in mass tort litigation.
Honoring Leadership: The Jean Sternlight Book Award
The semester also celebrated individual excellence with the announcement of the 2026 Jean Sternlight Book Award in Alternative Dispute Resolution Law. This year’s recipient, Adam Marchant, was recognized for his significant contributions to the Boyd community. Beyond his classroom excellence in Mediation and Negotiation, Adam was instrumental in reviving the Dispute Resolution Society student organization — renewing its charter and developing new programming to enrich the experience of his fellow students.