Mayli Alarcon, Class of 2022

As a Las Vegas Native, and first-generation Latina, I have always felt a responsibility to my community. Before I started attending Boyd, I was deeply involved in community politics and organizing. As a leader in these roles, I was exposed to the root issues that disadvantaged communities face and understood how laws affect minorities. As I got more involved with non-profit organizations in the state, I was given the opportunity to grow as an advocate. I learned to advocate better for myself and for others. This fed my inclination to study law and solidified my decision to become an attorney. Boyd aligns with my values and is also dedicated to giving back and helping others with their legal necessities. I feel privileged to be a public interest fellow and to continue exploring my passion for public service. 

Alfa Alemayehu, Class of 2021

Alfa Alemayehu graduated with dual interests in criminal law and dispute resolution. She externed for the Honorable Jacqueline M. Bluth in Nevada's Eighth Judicial District Court. Alfa was a member of the Nevada Law Journal and Moot Court Director for the National Black Law Students Association for the Western Region. She also interned for the Clark County District Attorney’s Office, the Nevada Attorney General’s Office, and clerked for the Children’s Attorneys Project for the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. Prior to law school, Alfa graduated from UNLV with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

Dallas Anselmo, Class of 2021

Dallas Anselmo graduated with combined interests in criminal law, constitutional law, and dispute resolution. Before law school, Dallas graduated summa cum laude from Southern Utah University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice and minors in Legal Studies and Political Science. During law school, Dallas has gained legal experience with public and governmental agencies as well as a private law firm. His interest in dispute resolution comes from the consistent and prevalent role dispute resolution has played in all of these experiences.

Sam Bruketta, Class of 2021

Sam Bruketta is a native Nevadan from Carson City and graduated from the UNLV Boyd School of Law in 2021. He is particularly interested in continuing to expand Nevadans' access to dispute resolution programs outside of the court system. While a student at the University of Nevada, Reno, Sam laid the groundwork for developing a student-led mediation program for undergraduate students. His draw to conflict resolution comes from his background in problem-solving and working to develop individually tailored solutions. Sam was a Dean's Scholar Recipient and  previously served as a  member of the law school's Academic Standards Committee.

Robin Gonzales, Class of 2019

Robin Gonzales completed his dispute resolution concentration with a focus in labor and employment, contracts, and international law disputes. He externed for the Honorable Andrew P. Gordon and the Honorable Jennifer A. Dorsey of the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, and served as a member of the law school’s Honor Code Committee. Prior to law school, he worked for the Nevada System of Higher Education as a state-wide program coordinator. Robin graduated from UNLV, magna cum laude, with dual Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and English, and a minor in the Brookings Public Policy program. He received the UNLV President’s Award for Class Outstanding Graduate, served as Student Body Chief Justice, and wrote his honors thesis on "The Spratly Islands Dispute: International Law, Conflicting Claims, and Alternative Frameworks for Dispute Resolution."

Caleb L. Green, Class of 2019

Caleb L. Green completed an academic concentration in intellectual property. He worked as a Summer Associate and Intellectual Property Law Clerk at Dickinson Wright PLLC and served as the President of the Black Law Students Association Las Vegas Chapter. Caleb's interest in dispute resolution focuses primarily in the areas of intellectual property and internet law. Prior to law school, Caleb was immersed in STEM fields, receiving his Bachelors of Arts in Computer Science with a minor in Economics from UNLV, working as an information technology professional in UNLV’s Office of Information Technology, and teaching as an adjunct math instructor at his high school alma mater -- The PA Owens Christian Academy. 

Astasia Lucas, Class of 2020

Astasia Lucas completed a dispute resolution concentration with a focus on family law, criminal law, and personal injury. Astasia’s interest in dispute resolution stems from her educational and work experience, where she learned that most cases settle through some form of conflict resolution before going to trial. Astasia was Secretary of the Dispute Resolution Society and used her role to encourage more students to get involved with the organization. Further, Astasia worked as a Personal Injury Law Clerk at the law firm of Nettles Morris and  externed for the Honorable Frank P. Sullivan at the Eighth Judicial District Court. Prior to law school, Astasia earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a minor in Marriage & Family Therapy from UNLV. She also worked as a legal secretary at a family law firm for several years.

Josh Nelson, Class of 2022

Josh Nelson (’22) is a third year law student originally from Washington, DC. He is interested in dispute resolution because it provides wonderful opportunities for increasing access to justice and encourages lawyers to think differently about conflicts. Before law school, he was a professional debate coach in Shenzhen, China. When he is not working on law school things, he is training for his next triathlon or working on his latest kitchen project.

Petya Pucci, Class of 2021

Petya Pucci graduated from the William S. Boyd School of Law where she pursued dual concentrations in dispute resolution and intellectual property. Petya was born and raised in Bulgaria, where she attended law school for three years prior to moving to the United States. Petya received her Bachelor’s Degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In law school, Petya was actively involved in extracurricular activities. During her 1L year, Petya helped re-establish the International Law Society and was elected to serve as its President for two consecutive terms. Additionally, she was involved with the Dispute Resolution Society, the Organization of Women Law Students, the Honors Code Committee, and the Nevada Law Journal. Petya previously interned with the Honorable Judge James C. Mahan at the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada; the Honorable Mary Kay Holthus at the Eighth Judicial District Court; the Office of the Nevada Attorney General; and the Office of Management and Budget within the Executive Office of the President of the United States.

Jen A. Smith, Class of 2019

Jen A. Smith's dispute resolution work centered on areas of health care law and entertainment law. Jen served as a Westlaw Student Representative and was involved on campus as the Vice-President of the Immigration Law Society, the Events Director of American Constitution Society, and, during her first year, as a member of the Curriculum Committee. Prior to law school, Jen received her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. She also interned with Senator Harry Reid’s Las Vegas Office, where she had the opportunity to interact with constituents, attend outreach events, and assist with and attend the National Clean Energy Summit 8.0. 

Richard Young, Class of 2020

Richard Young pursued his dual JD/MBA at the Boyd School of Law and Lee Business School. His interests in negotiation and dispute resolution include complex contract disputes, the effects of third-party litigation funding on dispute resolution, and how disputing parties can leverage predictive analytics to inform their decision-making processes. Richard worked as an extern for the Honorable August B. Landis of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada and served as President of the Dispute Resolution Society. Prior to law school, Richard graduated Magna Cum Laude with University Honors from UNLV receiving his Bachelor of Science in Finance. He received the Lee Business School’s academic excellence award for graduating at the top of his major.

Ziwei Zheng, Class of 2022

Ziwei Zheng (’22) is a current law student pursuing concentrations in Commercial Law and Dispute Resolution. She has clerked for Honorable Judge Augustus Landis at the Federal Bankruptcy Court and she is externing at Judge Advocate General’s office at Nellis Air Force Base. She is the Vice President of Public Relations for the International Law Society, and is also working as a legal clerk at Finlay, Wright and Zak, LLP. Prior to law school, Ziwei received her Bachelor of Arts with Summa Cum Laude, and she worked as a realtor and loan originator. Alternative Dispute Resolution sparks Ziwei’s interest because lawyers are problem solvers and a fair, efficient, non-judicial involvement victory gives people the ability to move on with their lives.