How did your work in the Peace Corps sway you toward law school?

While in the Peace Corps in Guatemala, I worked alongside dedicated professionals in municipal Women’s Offices. These offices were created to provide a wide variety of services and programs, but the mission was often ignored and the federal funding re-routed to other projects. I did my best to help the staff fulfill their mission despite these challenges but was frustrated that I couldn’t address the root of the problem. I faced similar frustrations working on constituent casework while employed by Senator Reid – often having to

Tell our readers about your path to becoming principal violist for the Henderson Symphony Orchestra.  
 
In the summer before the final year of my undergraduate studies I was still seriously considering pursuing a master’s degree in music. My orchestra director here at UNLV—Professor Taras Krysa—was the musical director of the Henderson Symphony Orchestra, and he encouraged me to apply. I was thrilled when I won the audition. The HSO programs a lot of bold repertoire that you don’t often get to perform at a university-level orchestra. I know that the discipline that it required has made me a

Before you joined us, what Boyd insight did you get from your sister Katlyn (Boyd '16)?

In terms of observations, I definitely saw just how hard law school is, and how much work it would take to be successful. In terms of advice, she told me to take advantage of every opportunity to meet and talk with my professors. She also told me to find a solid study group so that I had people to both bounce ideas off of, and act as a support group when one of us had the inevitable “I’m in over my head” panic attack.

What was the most important thing you learned last year as a 1L?

Balance is key. You

Tough question: Of your many and varied experiences at Boyd, which rises above the others?

During my time as a student attorney in the Misdemeanor Clinic, my student co-counsel and I got a seven-year-old conviction vacated. Our client never gave his prior attorney permission to plead guilty on his behalf, but his prior attorney pled guilty anyway. The judge granted our request to vacate the conviction and we negotiated a better deal for our client. From this and other experiences in the clinic, I learned what being an advocate truly means and cannot wait to continue advocating for others.

Wh

Your undergraduate study and work experience prior to law school were in the computer/information technology field. How do you anticipate that background will meld with your legal career? 

I think my technical background will blend nicely with my legal career. As technology continues to advance, I anticipate my computer science/information technology experience will position me uniquely in the Nevada legal community, namely in intellectual property, gaming, and cyber-security law. 

Tough call, I'm sure, but what's been your signature moment as a student at Boyd?

That is tough! I have had so

You have an avid interest in environmental law work. Tell our readers about some of the great experience you've gained in the field.

That is true! In the last (almost) two years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with the Conservation Lands Foundation in southwest Colorado, a non-profit focused on protection of public lands following the legal guidelines of the Antiquities Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. I also assisted former Deputy Solicitor of the Department of the Interior and Professor Bret Birdsong on a Nevada Supreme Court

As you complete your time as a Boyd Public Interest Fellow, what are your reflections on the experience?

It feels unusual to be rewarded for public interest work, but it really put me in a position where I could comfortably dedicate my time to helping others without worrying about my ability to afford it. I also had an amazing support system in other fellows and administrators to whom I could go with ideas and share my passion.

Which law school course was your most memorable?  

Definitely Employment Discrimination with Professor Ruben Garcia. I was the only first-year student in the class

Tell us about your transition from the sandwich business to law school.

It has been a different kind of challenge for sure. At Capriotti’s, every day had multiple goals: marketing, sales, purchasing, etc. Yes, even a humble sandwich shop has a lot going on behind the scenes. So many classes in law school require us to be self-motivated and keep up on our own so that we aren’t scrambling to teach ourselves a subject come finals. That is the part that is most different from Capriotti’s; it is a pace that we create ourselves. Oh…and I miss the free sandwiches!

How goes your tenure as president

How goes your first semester of law school?
I’m having so much fun! It’s a bit disconcerting because there aren’t very many benchmarks as to how well I’m actually doing, but I’m trying to measure myself off how well I can mentally respond to professors’ answers in class and taking a few practice exams (with variable success). My professors and classmates are incredible.

You and others are working to create a new student organization at Boyd. Tell us about that enterprise.

Our organization is the Organization of Psychology and Law (OPAL). Our goals are to highlight gaps between current

Tell our readers about your position here at UNLV.

In my current position in the President’s Office at UNLV, I assist in managing a multitude of daily requests and providing responses to a diverse range of issues that are directed to the President’s Office from various campus and community constituents. One of my top responsibilities is coordinating, drafting, and tracking all the time-sensitive Board of Regents’ agenda item submissions for UNLV. It’s been fun and, at times, very stressful.

How has working full-time on campus meshed with studying law at Boyd on a part-time basis?

Between my