UNLV Boyd School of Law Students, Alumni Recognized at Legal Aid Center Awards Luncheon

Since the law school opened its doors, it has worked in partnership with the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, led by Barbara Buckley. One of the highlights of the year is the annual awards luncheon for the Legal Aid Center that celebrates all the great pro bono and public interest work done in Nevada and Las Vegas. Several Boyd School of Law students and alumni were recognized at the recent 15th Annual Pro Bono Awards Luncheon.

The event, held Dec. 11 at the Rio Hotel & Casino, honored the work of pro bono attorneys and organizations that generously donate their time and expertise to represent Southern Nevadans in need of legal assistance.

Third-year law student Samantha Rice was named the Public Interest Law Student of Distinction. This award recognizes a law student who has made a substantial commitment to the community by doing public interest law and promoting access to justice.

Ben Reitz at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck was honored with the Vince Consul Memorial Pro Bono Award. Given in memory of long-time advocate for access to justice Vince Consul, the award recognizes an individual who devotes time to a client with a civil law matter.

Alumna Airene Williamson '09 was recognized with the Lied Award for Most Hours Donated by an Attorney. One of several awards, Lied Awards are given in recognition of the Lied Foundation for its support of the Legal Aid Center. Airene, an attorney with Williamson Law Office, PLLC, specializes in bankruptcy, business and commercial law, and immigration.

One of the evening's highest honors, Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, was awarded to alumna Ogonna Brown '01. Ogonna is a shareholder with the firm Holley Driggs Walch Fine Wray Puzey & Thompson where she focuses on bankruptcy reorganization, creditor/debtor litigation, secured party representation, and commercial litigation.

The collective commitment of Boyd alumni to public service is demonstrated in the work done through the Legal Aid Center. Boyd alumni make up:

• 35 percent of the attorneys who have served as pro bono counsel at Legal Aid Center programs
• 33 percent of the attorneys in the 100 Hours Club
• 28 percent of the attorneys in the 50 Hours Club
• 27 percent of the volunteers named to the Honor Roll
• 5 of the 11 Volunteers of the Month