Professor Fatma Marouf Interviewed by Las Vegas Sun

Fatma Marouf is the co-director of the Immigration Clinic and an associate professor at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

Professor Marouf recently sat down with the Las Vegas Sun for a Dec. 23 article titled “How President Obama’s immigration order might affect Las Vegas labor.”

In the article, Professor Marouf talks about how President Obama’s immigration plan can offer more protection for undocumented workers, especially here in Nevada which has the highest population share in the country.

“Obama issued a memorandum calling for ‘modernizing and streamlining’ the immigrant visa system,” explained Professor Marouf in the article. “ … This should make it easier for skilled and unskilled workers to obtain visas to work in the U.S., which will reduce fraud and exploitation, including labor trafficking … The industries where trafficking is especially common is in the hotel and service industry. We’re talking about low-tier jobs, like servers or custodians. Interestingly, health services is also one of the more predominant areas where people work in the shadows. They’ll usually be in group homes and nursing homes where people care for the mentally ill or the elderly — places that aren’t regulated heavily.”

Drawing on her extensive experience representing individuals before the Immigration Courts, Board of Immigration Appeals, and U.S. Courts of Appeals, Professor Marouf's research probes various problems involved in adjudicating immigration cases at all levels.

Boyd Alumna Kathryn Branson ’09 in Nevada Business Magazine

Boyd alumna Kathryn Branson ’09 was highlighted in a Dec. 17 article in Nevada Business magazine titled “Ogletree Deakins Deepens Employment Law Practice in Nevada with the Addition of Three Attorneys.”

Branson is one of three new attorneys to recently join Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters.

“Our Las Vegas office continues to attract and retain acclaimed and talented attorneys in response to client demand in the region,” said Tony Martin, managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins’ Las Vegas office, in the article. “Our capabilities are robust and reflective of the types of labor and employment issues impacting Las Vegas and Nevada-based employers.”

Branson’s experience includes representing employers in federal and state court actions involving a variety of claims, including harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination.

Professor Ruben Garcia Quoted in Las Vegas Review-Journal

Ruben J. Garcia is a Professor of Law at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal on Dec. 21 published an article titled “Clark County Discrimination Case Was A Strong One” about a case in which Clark County was sued in a federal wage discrimination lawsuit.

The suit, filed by the county’s diversity director and recently settled in favor of the director, was first sent to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2007 and, in an unusual move, picked up by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.

“It is not usual for the Department of Justice to get involved in cases such as this because there’s limited resources, so I think it must have been rather clear that there was liability,” Professor Garcia said.

A recognized expert in the field of labor and employment law, Professor Garcia teaches Labor Law, Employment Law, Constitutional Law, and Professional Responsibility at the Boyd School of Law. He has been quoted in the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Las Vegas Review-Journal, among others, and has appeared on national and local radio and television programs.

Professor Ruben Garcia Interviewed by Bloomberg Radio

Ruben J. Garcia is a Professor of Law at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

Bloomberg Radio’s “Bloomberg Law” interviewed Professor Garcia on Dec. 19 for a segment titled “L.A. Minimum Wage Lawsuit” (3:22-minute mark) about the hotel industry groups’ lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles to block its new $15.37 minimum wage law. Catherine Fisk, professor at the University of California, Irvine School of Law, also joined the interview.

In the interview, Professor Garcia spoke at length and presented several arguments as to why the law should not be enforced.

“… the law is preempted by federal labor law and it is common that employers and unions negotiate over terms like wages, hours and working conditions,” Professor Garcia began. “Federal labor law is intensely preemptive and so the Supreme Court has come up with a number of cases where they have said if a law interferes with the free play of economic forces between labor and management, then it can be preempted by federal law. …”

A recognized expert in the field of labor and employment law, Professor Garcia teaches Labor Law, Employment Law, Constitutional Law, and Professional Responsibility at the Boyd School of Law. He has been quoted in the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Las Vegas Review-Journal, among others, and has appeared on national and local radio and television programs.

Professor Stacey Tovino Interviewed by Las Vegas Sun

Stacey Tovino is the Lincy Professor of Law at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

Professor Tovino recently spoke with the Las Vegas Sun for a Dec. 21 article titled “Gambling: The neglected addiction” about problem gamblers and the uphill battle they face in receiving needed help.

Professor Tovino has researched ways addicts are disadvantaged by health and disability laws and has argued that people diagnosed with gambling disorder should receive the same type of help as those suffering from other more known addictions.

“If you see someone with a severe gambling disorder, that’s all they focus on,” she said. “That’s as serious as drug addiction or alcoholism.”

Professor Tovino is a leading expert in health law, bioethics, and the medical humanities.

Professor Ruben Garcia Talks Public Employee Unions in Las Vegas Sun

Ruben J. Garcia is a Professor of Law at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

Professor Garcia recently spoke to the Las Vegas Sun about the impending legislative battle between public employee unions, Republican lawmakers, and the Nevada Policy Research Institute for a Dec. 17 article titled “Battle lines: Why unions are preparing for assault in Legislature.”

The article, which focused on the various changes conservative lawmakers and activists want to make regarding collective bargaining and arbitration, included comments from Professor Garcia concerning binding arbitration and the hope each side ends up with the best result.

“Sometimes it ends and the union isn’t happy,” Professor Garcia said. “Sometimes the employer isn’t happy. That’s the tradeoff in avoiding strikes for unrest.”

A recognized expert in the field of labor and employment law, Professor Garcia teaches Labor Law, Employment Law, Constitutional Law, and Professional Responsibility at the Boyd School of Law. He has been quoted in the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Las Vegas Review-Journal, among others, and has appeared on national and local radio and television programs.

Boyd Alumnus Seaton Curran ’08 Promoted to Shareholder at Howard & Howard

Boyd alumnus Seaton Curran ‘08 has been made a shareholder at Howard & Howard. The law firm made the announcement on Dec. 16 in a release titled “Howard & Howard Rounds Out 2014 on a High Note; Congratulates Seven New Shareholders.”

While Curran concentrates his practice on intellectual property, he has experience preparing and prosecuting U.S. and foreign patent applications with a focus on mechanical, electrical and computer technologies. In addition to being a licensed attorney, Curran is a licensed professional engineer in Nevada.

Howard & Howard is a full-service law firm, with a national and international practice, providing legal services to businesses and business owners.

New Boyd Graduate Tyre Gray ’14 Interviewed by Channel 8 News

In just a few hours, Boyd student Tyre Gray will become a Boyd alumnus as he joins approximately 2,000 other students at UNLV receiving their diplomas today. This morning, Channel 8 News interviewed Gray (:23-second mark) as part of their segment titled “Job market promising for new college graduates.”

According to employment experts, the outlook for graduating students looks promising. For Gray, who already has a job offer, the future looks especially bright, particularly after enduring significant health challenges.

“I think that's why the graduation date has a special tag to me, because it's a finish line - not only in completing my education, but also in kind of putting the kidney disease behind me a little bit as well,” Gray said.

UNLV Plans Gaming Center and Boyd Introduces New Master of Laws Degree

The Dec. 12 edition of CardPlayer.com featured an article titled “UNLV Planning Center on Casino Regulation” that included news about UNLV’s academic center on gaming regulation, as well as the Boyd School of Law’s new Master of Laws degree in Gaming Law and Regulation launching next fall.

CardPlayer.com is a poker information portal offering daily poker news, professionals’ blogs and tweets, videos, articles and coverage from all major poker tournaments in the world.

Dean Dan Hamilton Speaks with VEGAS INC About Planned UNLV Gaming Center

Dan Hamilton is the dean and Richard J. Morgan Professor of Law at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

On Dec. 12, Dean Hamilton was interviewed by VEGAS INC for an article titled “Planning underway for UNLV center on gaming regulation” that highlighted plans for creating a new academic center at UNLV dedicated to gaming regulation. The center will complement Boyd’s new Master of Laws degree in Gaming Law and Regulation.

A team of university officials, including Dean Hamilton, and other gaming industry professionals are working together to get the center up and running – projected to happen in time for the next academic year.

“There’s a lot we don’t know, there’s a lot we know but we haven’t put together in one place to really get a sense of the field, and there’s a lot we need to know,” he said. “This center will, we hope, act as a bridge between academia and industry and produce research that is useful to both.”

Dean Hamilton researches and writes primarily on American property ideology and the legal and constitutional issues raised by the Civil War. He has written numerous articles and reviews on American legal history.

Associate Dean Ngai Pindell Talks to Vegas Seven Magazine

Ngai Pindell is associate dean of academic affairs and professor of law at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

Vegas Seven magazine recently ran an article that highlighted Dean Pindell and the Boyd School of Law’s new Master of Laws degree in Gaming Law and Regulation. The Dec. 11 feature titled “UNLV Betting on Gaming-Centric Master’s Program: Boyd School of Law to offer advanced degrees in Gaming Law and Regulation” provided insight into the new program.

While Las Vegas has become synonymous with high-end dining, upscale shopping, swanky nightclubs, and world-class entertainment, the city is still, first and foremost, powered by the gaming industry.

Given that the gaming industry is ever-evolving and multi-faceted, it’s natural for Boyd to address its complexities with the new program.

“It makes sense to have a graduate program in gaming in a city that is so well known for gaming and that has such expertise,” said Dean Pindell. “ … We’ve designed the curriculum to highlight the depth of gaming law and policy that’s needed to effectively practice in that industry.”

Dean Pindell's research interests are in economic development and housing, and he teaches Property, Land Use Regulation, Local Government Law and Wills, Trusts & Estates.

Professor Fatma Marouf Comments on Immigration Reform in Las Vegas Sun

Fatma Marouf is the co-director of the Immigration Clinic and an associate professor at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

Professor Marouf recently spoke with the Las Vegas Sun for a Dec. 11 article titled “Why Nevada has become a leader in immigration reform.”

The article, which addresses three main reasons explaining Nevada’s impact on immigration reform, includes Astrid Silva as reason number one. Silva, the young lady who became the center of attention when President Obama shared her personal story on national television and when she introduced him during his recent Nov. 21 visit to Las Vegas, not only turned the spotlight on herself, but the state of Nevada.

“She’s become a symbol for a demographic, and I think that’s powerful for people,” said Professor Marouf in the article. “It’s a way to relate on a personal level, and that has a huge impact on how people react to the issue.”

Drawing on her extensive experience representing individuals before the Immigration Courts, Board of Immigration Appeals, and U.S. Courts of Appeals, Professor Marouf's research probes various problems involved in adjudicating immigration cases at all levels.

Boyd Alumna Ashley Nikkel ’12 in Reno Gazette-Journal

Boyd alumna Ashley Nikkel ‘12 was profiled in the Reno Gazette-Journal’s “People on the Move: Dec 11” feature highlighting new hires, promotions and achievements in Northern Nevada.

Nikkel recently joined the Litigation, Trials & Appeals and Environmental & Natural Resources practice groups at the Reno office of Parsons Behle & Latimer.

Prior to joining the law firm, Nikkel clerked for the Hon. Mark Gibbons of the Nevada Supreme Court and for the Hon. Janet J. Berry of the Second Judicial District Court in Reno.

Boyd Dean Dan Hamilton and Student Shane Jackson Interviewed by Vegas Seven

Dan Hamilton is the Dean and Richard J. Morgan Professor of Law at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

Dean Hamilton and student Shane Jackson recently spoke with Vegas Seven magazine for a Dec. 10 article titled “Now’s the Time to Break into Law: Despite a daunting post-graduate job market, now is the ideal time to give law school a shot—if you’re serious.”

The article, which touches on the favorable conditions that make attending law school now so ideal, includes the theory that the “trend of fewer applicants and more schools is advantageous to prospective students.”

“This is the best time to apply and go to law school in a generation,” Dean Hamilton said in the article. “The competition is fierce, and the ability to negotiate tuition is widespread.”

Dean Hamilton researches and writes primarily on American property ideology and the legal and constitutional issues raised by the Civil War. He has written numerous articles and reviews on American legal history.

Boyd Guest Speaker and Attorney Kenneth Feinberg Speaks to KNPR’s State of Nevada

Attorney Kenneth Feinberg spoke to KNPR’s State of Nevada while in Las Vegas to deliver the Judge Lloyd D. George Lecture on the Judicial Process at the Boyd School of Law Dec. 4.

The Dec. 10 interview (:31-second mark) titled “The Value of Life: Kenneth Feinberg Talks Victim Compensation,” touches on Feinberg’s distinguished career and experience with overseeing several high-profile and emotionally charged negotiations.

As to how he began his unique legal practice of overseeing victim compensation funds, Feinberg said it was “very, very serendipitous and accidental. Nobody plans a career compensating victims of tragedy.”

Dec. 11 Boyd Briefs Now Available

The Dec. 11 edition of Boyd Briefs is now available.

This week's edition features Professor Elaine Shoben, student Tim Revero, and alumnus Mark Weisenmiller '10.

Professor Shoben left the classroom and payroll years ago in order to retire, yet she continues to author important works, to mentor faculty colleagues, and even regularly to visit her office.

After working as a trauma nurse and mobile intensive care nurse in California and as a traveling nurse in Ohio, Revero began studying at Boyd where he currently serves as representative for his first-year class section on the Student Bar Association.

Weisenmiller is a member of Gordon Silver's Business Restructuring & Bankruptcy and Bankruptcy Litigation Departments. His primary practice is corporate restructuring and complex insolvency involving both small and large businesses.

To subscribe to Boyd Briefs, visit law.unlv.edu/BoydBriefs.

Boyd Student Tyre Gray Featured on UNLV News Center

Boyd student (and soon-to-be alumnus) Tyre Gray was recently featured on the UNLV News Center. Gray will receive his Juris Doctor degree during UNLV’s Dec. 16 winter commencement ceremony.

The inspirational Dec. 9 interview titled “Q&A: New Grad Tyre Gray,” delved into Gray’s experience attending the Boyd School of Law while facing a significant health issue, as well as touched on his passion for community service.

With commencement around the corner, Gray is looking confidently into the future thanks to his degree from Boyd.

“Academically, I have been trained by some of the best in the industry,” Gray said in the article. “Therefore, my legal skill will only be matched by other Boyd alums.”

2014 Pro Bono Awards Honor Members of Boyd Community

Three generous individuals – the school’s namesake, an alumnus, and a student – were recently honored by the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada (LACSN) at its 2014 Pro Bono Awards Luncheon held Dec. 5 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.

The 14th annual event honored the efforts of pro bono attorneys and their generous donation of time and expertise to protect thousands of Southern Nevada’s most vulnerable residents.

Boyd School of Law namesake, Bill Boyd, was presented with the inaugural William S. Boyd Award of Excellence for his extraordinary service to the law school, the Legal Aid Center, and community. LACSN created the award to honor Boyd and, moving forward, to recognize a business or community leader who has been an outstanding supporter of legal aid and pro bono services.

Alumnus John Piro '10 and Bita Khamsi, both of the Clark County Public Defender, received an Award of Excellence for their efforts devoted to establishing a free community education class on sealing criminal records.

Student Bailey Bortolin was named the Public Interest Law Student of Distinction. The award recognizes a law student who has made a substantial contribution to the community through public interest law and the promotion of access to justice.

Professor Mary Berkheiser, a Juvenile Defense Trailblazer

Professor Berkheiser serves as professor of law, director of clinical programs, and director of the Juvenile Justice Clinic at the Boyd School of Law.

She was recently highlighted as a “true juvenile defense trailblazer” in an article on the National Juvenile Defender Center website commending her commitment to the juvenile defense community.

“Mary has left an indelible mark on legal education in the state,” said the article, referring to her role as a founding faculty member at the William S. Boyd School of Law. “But it’s her passion for protecting the rights of children that makes her a leader in juvenile defense, taking on issues such as waiver of counsel, shackling, and juvenile life without parole on a local, state, and national level.”

Professor Berkheiser's areas of expertise include clinical legal education and teaching, criminal procedure, juvenile law, criminal law, and appellate law.

Boyd Alumna Karissa Neff ’04 Featured in VEGAS INC

Boyd alumna Karissa Neff ’04 was featured in a VEGAS INC business article about Gun Play Vegas, Nevada’s first and only female-owned firearms training company. Neff and UNLV grad Sara Shertz started Gun Play Vegas.

The Dec. 5 article titled “These Las Vegas businesswomen take their (gun)shots seriously,” explains the motivation - “sexism and heckling in a male-dominated industry” - behind the women’s decision to start their own company, as well as details the services the company offers.

“Firearms training is intimidating enough without being berated by impersonal and militarized teaching tactics,” Neff said.

Boyd Alumna Lauren Pena ’07 Interviewed on KNPR State of Nevada

On Dec. 2, Boyd alumna Lauren Pena ’07 was one of several guests interviewed by KNPR’s State of Nevada for a segment titled “Hate It Or Love It; Single Life In Las Vegas Is One Of A Kind” (:34-second mark).

In addition to being a law professional, Pena dedicates her time to another one of her passions - matchmaking. A certified matchmaker, she is co-founder of Project Duo, a traditional yet modern matchmaking company, and recently spoke with KNPR about the unique challenges of being a successful, single professional in a city as unique as Las Vegas.

Dec. 4 Boyd Briefs Now Available

The Dec. 4 edition of Boyd Briefs is now available.

This week's edition features Professor Eleissa Lavelle, student Tyre Gray, and alumna Justine Harrison '05.

In addition to being one of the law school's gifted adjunct members, Professor Lavelle is a professional arbitrator and mediator with JAMS. At Boyd, she teaches Negotiation and Real Estate Finance courses.

Gray will be graduating from Boyd this December. Upon earning his JD, he aspires to help others secure proper health care through the practice of law.

Harrison currently works as a solo practitioner, whose practice is focused in transactional and administrative areas including corporate, real estate, health care, and aviation matters.

To subscribe to Boyd Briefs, visit law.unlv.edu/BoydBriefs.

Boyd Alumna Renee Mancino ’02 Featured on Cleveland.com

On Dec. 3, Boyd alumna and horse racing attorney Renee Mancino ’02 was featured in an article posted to Cleveland.com about her appointment to executive director of the Ohio Harness Horseman’s Association.

The article, titled “Horse racing law expert Renee Mancino to head Ohio harness racing group - Horse Racing Insider,” explained how Mancino, a native of Ohio, will be returning to her home state in 2015 to assume the role of representing horsemen, as well as bring equity to horse racing. The article also stated that among Mancino’s legal specialties, which helped to bring change to California racing where she has been active since 2006, are gaming, equine, racing, wagering and racino legislation.

Boyd Alumnus Michael Esposito ’14 Joins Gordon Silver Law Firm

On Dec. 3, Nevada Business Magazine featured an announcement that Boyd alumnus Michael Esposito ’14 joined the Las Vegas office of Gordon Silver as an associate.

The announcement also stated that Esposito would be a member of the firm’s Estate Planning, Probate & Guardianship, Corporate & Securities and Real Estate Transactions practice groups. Prior to joining Gordon Silver, Esposito worked as an extern for the Nevada State District Court, Department 32 with Judge Bare.

Professor Addie Rolnick to Attend Meeting on Tribal Juvenile Justice

Addie Rolnick is an associate professor of law at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

Professor Rolnick will attend the 2014 Tribal Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Think Tank meeting in Tucson next week.

One of a select group of experts on juvenile justice in Indian country, Professor Rolnick will take part in a series of meetings designed to explore and facilitate the use of detention alternatives in tribal juvenile justice systems.

The meeting is sponsored by three organizations: the Annie E. Casey Foundation, an organization devoted to developing brighter futures for children at risk of poor educational, economic, social and health outcomes; the Association on American Indian Affairs, an organization whose mission is to promote the well-being of American Indian and Alaska Natives and provide programs that support their youth/education, cultural preservation and sovereignty; and the National Indian Child Welfare Association, a private, nonprofit membership group and the only national American Indian organization focused specifically on the tribal capacity to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Professor Rolnick's scholarship focuses on bridging gaps between civil rights, Critical Race Theory, federal Indian law, and indigenous rights.

Boyd School of Law Receives A- on The National Jurist Magazine’s List of Most Diverse Law Schools

The UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law was ranked among the most diverse law schools in the November 2014 issue of The National Jurist magazine.

The Boyd School of Law received an A- score. In 2012, the school received a B+ on the same list.

The article reads, “… our analysis showed an interesting development: The drop in enrollment – caused by the souring job market for new law grads – has not been consistent among races. While the number of law students has fallen about 15 percent from 2011 to 2013, the number of minority law students did not match that decline, falling only 4.2 percent.”

To compile the list, The National Jurist looked at each school’s percentage of minority faculty, black students, Asian and Hawaiian students, Hispanic students, American Indian students, and Caucasian students.

Professor Nancy Rapoport to Attend American Bankruptcy Institute Executive Committee Meeting, Conference

Nancy B. Rapoport is the Gordon Silver Professor of Law at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

From Dec. 3 to 6, Professor Rapoport will attend the American Bankruptcy Institute's Executive Committee and Board of Directors meeting as well as the organization's 2014 Winter Leadership Conference. The meeting and conference will take place in Palm Springs, Calif.

The conference will feature topics designed for consumer and business practitioners, as well as financial advisors. It will also include an ethics session that focuses on social media.

Professor Rapoport's specialties are bankruptcy ethics, ethics in governance, and the depiction of lawyers in popular culture. 

Nevada Bar Intellectual Property Law Section’s 2014 Annual Conference at Boyd

By Marketa Trimble, Associate Professor of Law 

On Nov. 14, 2014, the William S. Boyd School of Law co-sponsored and hosted the annual Intellectual Property Law Conference of the Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Nevada. This is the second year the Law School has hosted the Conference, which offers an excellent opportunity for Section members, the Boyd faculty, and Boyd students to discuss current issues in intellectual property law and network with colleagues sharing common interests.

The program began with two morning sessions presenting an in-depth look at selected problems of franchising and intellectual property licensing. Matthew J. Kreutzer (Howard & Howard, Las Vegas, NV) shared his expertise in franchising, which has evolved over his more than 15 years of working with individuals and companies on franchising relationships. Paul C. Jorgensen (The Jorgensen Law Firm, Washington, D.C.) gave an overview of major issues in licensing and provided valuable practice tips related to drafting and negotiating intellectual property licenses.

The first afternoon session was divided into two tracks. Track One focused on copyright and trademark law; Professor Mary LaFrance and Associate Professor Marketa Trimble, both Boyd faculty members, reviewed recent and current developments in trademark and copyright law from the past year, including U.S. Supreme Court 2014 decisions in these areas. Professor Justin Hughes (Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, CA) spoke on enforcement of intellectual property rights on the Internet and provided a comparative perspective that is useful in an era of Internet and other cross-border intellectual property right disputes. Track Two concentrated on patent law. Herbert R. Schulze (Holland & Hart, Reno, NV) covered the historical development of the law on patentable subject matter and discussed its current trajectory following the heavily criticized June 2014 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank Int’l. Juergen Krause-Polstorff (San Jose, CA) addressed current issues in functional claiming, and David C. Van Dyke (Howard & Howard, Chicago, IL) spoke on patent litigation concerning standard essential patents, fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory licensing terms that owners of such patents must offer, and obligations stemming from participation in standard-setting organizations.

The second afternoon session covered a variety of current issues in entertainment law. The panel chair, Ryan R. Gile (Weide & Miller, Ltd., Las Vegas, NV), invited a group of highly experienced local attorneys who generously shared cautionary tales and practice tips spanning privacy law, the right of publicity, employment law, Internet domain name law, professional responsibility, and other areas. The panelists were Anat Levy (Beverly Hills, CA, and Las Vegas, NV), Linda Norcross (‘04, Howard & Howard, Las Vegas, NV), Steven Pacitti (Feldmann Nagel, LLC, Las Vegas, NV), and Kimberly Stein (Howard & Howard, Las Vegas, NV).

The William S. Boyd School of Law is proud to be a co-sponsor of the annual Conference of the Intellectual Property Law Section; Boyd co-sponsorship is one of the many ways the law school connects with the State Bar of Nevada.

Professor Addie Rolnick Cited in Report by United States Attorney General

Addie Rolnick is an associate professor of law at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

The United States Attorney General's Task Force on American Indian and Alaska Native Children recently released a report titled, "Ending Violence so Children Can Thrive."

A portion of the report addresses juvenile justice and Native youth, with multiple cites to Professor Rolnick's scholarship and work.

Professor Rolnick's scholarship focuses on bridging gaps between civil rights, Critical Race Theory, federal Indian law, and indigenous rights.

Boyd Alumna Deonne Contine ’05 Appointed Head of Nevada Department of Taxation

On Nov. 20, the Las Vegas Sun reported Boyd alumna Deonne Contine ’05 was appointed director of the state Department of Taxation. She succeeds Chris Nielsen, who was named to the governor’s staff.

Prior to her appointment by Governor Brian Sandoval, Contine served as chief deputy executive director in the department.

Professor Michael Kagan Featured on National Public Radio

Professor Michael Kagan is co-director of the Immigration Clinic at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

On Nov. 24, he was interviewed by National Public Radio's Morning Edition in a segment titled, "Executive Order On Immigration Creates Demand For Legal Advice."

In the segment, he says, "This is really going to be huge here. As you may know, Nevada has the highest rate of unauthorized immigrants per capita in the country. A lot of these people, if they went to a responsible lawyer, the responsible answer was 'There's nothing I can do for you.' Now, for at least a lot of people, there is something available. It's tenuous. There are details that have to be filled in. People will worry about how stable it is. But there is something that someone could think about applying for if they fall into these criteria, and a lot of people will."

Professor Kagan has written several of the most widely cited articles in the fields of refugee and asylum law. His research on credibility assessment in asylum cases has been repeatedly relied on by federal appellate courts and, according to a 2012 commentary, has "guided most subsequent research and analysis on the topic."

Professor Sylvia Lazos Interviewed by Univision Las Vegas about Immigration

Sylvia Lazos is the Justice Myron Leavitt Professor of Law at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

On Nov. 20, she was interviewed by Univision Las Vegas (5:14 mark) about President Obama’s immigration plan in a news feature titled “El Presidente anuncia una orden ejecutiva” (The President announced an executive order).

Professor Lazos is a frequent op-ed contributor, and her expertise is sought by print and broadcast media on a wide range of subjects, including higher education, immigration, race relations, government, voting and initiatives.

Professor Michael Kagan Interviewed by 8 News Now

Professor Michael Kagan is co-director of the Immigration Clinic at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

On Nov. 21, Professor Kagan was interviewed by 8 News Now in a segment titled "Budget Impact" (1:08 mark).

In the segment, about President Obama's executive action on immigration, Professor Kagan says, "This will make it easier for the government to make sure that everyone's paying taxes. It also lets people think much more about how they're going to use their money, invest their money, and save because they have that authorization to work."

Professor Kagan has written several of the most widely cited articles in the fields of refugee and asylum law. His research on credibility assessment in asylum cases has been repeatedly relied on by federal appellate courts and, according to a 2012 commentary, has "guided most subsequent research and analysis on the topic."

Dean Dan Hamilton Featured in Las Vegas Weekly

Dan Hamilton is the Dean and Richard J. Morgan Professor of Law at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

On Nov. 21, Dean Hamilton was mentioned in the Las Vegas Weekly article, "Big Changes for Downtown's Modern?"

The article reads, "This spring, the board announced that the name had been changed to the Modern and that the board of directors had expanded to include Dr. Keith Boman, vice chairman of the board for the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, and Daniel Hamilton, dean of UNLV's Boyd School of Law."

The Modern is an art museum project in Downtown Las Vegas.

Dean Hamilton researches and writes primarily on American property ideology and the legal and constitutional issues raised by the Civil War. He has written numerous articles and reviews on American legal history.

Professor Marketa Trimble to Teach Course in Czech Republic

Marketa Trimble is a Professor of Law at the William S. Boyd School of Law.
From Dec. 1 to 11, Professor Trimble will teach a course titled International Intellectual Property Law at Masaryk University's law school in the Czech Republic.

The course will focus on international dimensions of intellectual property law with respect to public and private international law, key provisions of international treaties on intellectual property, differences among national intellectual property laws, strategies for protecting intellectual property in various countries, and strategies for the enforcement of intellectual property rights in various countries.

In her research, Professor Trimble focuses on intellectual property and issues at the intersection of intellectual property and private international law/conflict of laws.

Professor Fatma Marouf Speaks to Las Vegas Sun About Immigration

Fatma Marouf is the co-director of the Immigration Clinic and an associate professor at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

Professor Marouf shared her thoughts with the Las Vegas Sun about President Obama’s immigration plan in a Nov. 21 article titled “’It’s so exciting’: How Obama’s plan could benefit Nevada families.”

In the article, which also touches on labor trafficking, Professor Marouf said, “Labor trafficking doesn’t get as much attention as sex trafficking, but it’s much more prevalent. A lot of manual labor, especially, is where you find people being exploited by their employers.” Under the President’s plan, the Labor Department is expanding immigration options for victims of crimes and trafficking who cooperate in government investigations.

Drawing on her extensive experience representing individuals before the Immigration Courts, Board of Immigration Appeals, and U.S. Courts of Appeals, Professor Marouf's research probes various problems involved in adjudicating immigration cases at all levels.

Professor Fatma Marouf Interviewed by 8 News Now

Fatma Marouf is the co-director of the Immigration Clinic and an associate professor at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

Professor Marouf spoke with 8 News Now ahead of President Obama’s Nov. 21 Las Vegas visit to discuss his executive order to spare 5 million undocumented immigrants from deportation.

In the article titled “President Obama to discuss immigration plan in Las Vegas,” Professor Marouf addresses the issue of immigration related to those covered under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The article states that Nevada has the 12th most DACA applicants in the country, according to the latest numbers by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

“For that group of people, it's a huge change in their lives, but they're still living in fear that their family members and parents are being deported,” Professor Marouf said. “There is no pathway to residence or citizenship. So, it's definitely not a full solution."

Drawing on her extensive experience representing individuals before the Immigration Courts, Board of Immigration Appeals, and U.S. Courts of Appeals, Professor Marouf's research probes various problems involved in adjudicating immigration cases at all levels.

Nov. 20 Boyd Briefs Now Available

The Nov. 20 edition of Boyd Briefs is now available.

This week's edition features Weiner-Rogers Library faculty members Jennifer Gross, Andrew Martineau, David McClure, Sean Saxon, Chad Schatzle and Matthew Wright.

Professor Gross is an expert in Nevada legal research and co-edited the Nevada Legal Research Guide. She also manages most of the library's physical collections, making those books more useful and accessible to the law school community.

Professor Martinaeu's expertise in intellectual property law research serves students, faculty and the library well. Additionally, his interest in new technologies has led to better communication among the law library and the communities it serves.

Professor McClure manages services to a productive and prolific faculty at Boyd by coordinating research support for faculty scholarship, helping faculty integrate new technology into their scholarship and teaching, and hoping to promote and share scholarship with new audiences. He also oversees the library's student research assistants.

Professor Saxon manages the systems that document the more than 180,000 books and 60,000 digital titles that the library makes available to the law school community. He additionally serves on the executive committee of the faculty senate.

Professor Schatzle is often the force behind library innovations in services to students. He is also a faculty advisor to the Society of Advocates and a liaison to the Nevada Law Journal and the UNLV Gaming Law Journal.

Professor Wright has led the development of the law library's collections since he joined Boyd in 1999. His work has resulted in a collection that is the largest among law libraries in the state and that is close to comprehensive with respect to U.S. authorities.

To subscribe to Boyd Briefs, visit law.unlv.edu/BoydBriefs.

All Boyd Dinner Honors Outstanding Alumni

From left: Keith Brown '05, Elda Sidhu '01,
and Terry Johnson '11

The William S. Boyd School of Law recently honored three alumni at the All Boyd Dinner held as part of the Boyd School of Law Alumni Weekend on Oct. 18 at ARIA Resort & Casino.

Keith Brown ’05, associate general counsel at Southwest Gas Corporation, was presented with the Alumnus of the Year Award. The recipients of the Alumnus/a of the Year award have demonstrated a history of outstanding service to UNLV, to the community, and to the law school. Their personal and professional achievements bring acclaim to UNLV and its academic programs.

Elda Sidhu ’01, general counsel at UNLV, was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award. The award is given to a graduate who has attained exceptional professional achievement through his or her service to the legal profession, the legal community, and the Boyd School of Law. As general counsel and member of UNLV’s President’s Cabinet, Sidhu provides advice and counsel to the president on matters regarding policies, procedures, and strategic planning.

Terry Johnson ’11, a member of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, was presented with the Young Alumni Award. This award is given to a graduate less than five years out of law school who has distinguished himself or herself for outstanding contributions to the legal community. Prior to being appointed to the Gaming Control Board by Governor Brian Sandoval in 2012, Johnson served in Governor Sandoval’s cabinet as state director of business & industry. In 2013, he was named Nevada Legal Services’ Pro Bono Attorney of the Year.

Alumni Hit the Green “Fore” an Afternoon of Fun

William S. Boyd School of Law alumni hit the green Oct. 17 at The Legacy Golf Club in Henderson for an afternoon of competitive fun.

The Alumni Golf Tournament kicked off two days of festivities as part of the 2014 UNLV Boyd School of Law Alumni Weekend. The annual event welcomes back all Boyd alumni as well as the reunion classes – this year celebrated reunions for the classes of 2004 and 2009.

Among the winning teams were several members of the Boyd community, including: Sarah Bassett ’11, Justin Carley ’06, Daron Dorsey ’01, Nakul Patel ’12, Casey Perkins ’10, UNLV Provost John White, and Professor Keith Rowley. Other members of the winning teams included the extended Boyd community: friends and family members.

The $75 per player participation fee covered the golf outing and a post-round buffet in the Clubhouse, with net proceeds benefiting the Boyd School of Law’s Alumni Chapter. The Alumni Association is a not-for-profit organization established to promote and enhance alumni engagement on campus.

Boyd Student Shares Her Knowledge and Passion for Fashion Law

By Marketa Trimble, Associate Professor of Law 

Law students might not always be aware that effective legal counsel requires more than a thorough knowledge of the law; it also requires an understanding of a client’s business. A new lawyer’s familiarity with a specific industry is extremely beneficial for clients when a law graduate begins to practice in that industry.

Erica Bobak, a third-year law student at the William S. Boyd School of Law, is not only studying to become a lawyer, she is also developing an industry expertise – in the fashion industry. She has turned her passion for fashion into a knowledge of the creative process, industry standards and practices, and challenges faced by fashion designers, garment manufacturers, modeling agencies, and other fashion industry actors. To prepare for a practice in the industry she has pursued intellectual property law courses at Boyd, and this past summer she attended Fordham Law School’s Fashion Law Bootcamp.

As is typical of many Boyd students, Erica seeks ways to serve the local creative community and contribute to the diversification of the Nevada economy. She connects with local fashion designers at the Stitch Factory – a fashion incubator located in the vibrant downtown district of Las Vegas across the street from Zappos.

The Stitch Factory offers an inspiring co-working space to fashion designers and other fashion artists and creators, and fashion courses for aspiring industry entrepreneurs. The Stitch Factory invited Erica to speak about fashion law to its members and other visitors, and on November 17, 2014, she gave a presentation on intellectual property law in the fashion industry. Erica explained what intellectual property law covers and how the fashion industry uses various legal doctrines to protect its work product. She detailed important case law relating to the fashion industry, including cases involving Christian Loboutin’s red soles and Levi’s back pocket stitching design, and discussed legislative proposals that would afford sui generis protection to fashion designs.

Although Erica is not yet licensed to practice law in Nevada and therefore could not provide legal advice to the audience, the information she presented serves an important educational purpose for fashion professionals: audience members gained an awareness of some of the legal issues that they might face and a realization of some fact situations that might warrant legal consultation. And Erica benefits too – she now has a preview of what some of her future clients might one day ask when they are sitting in her office.

Professor Jean Sternlight's Paper on Social Science Research Network Top 10 Downloads List

Jean Sternlight is the Michael and Sonja Saltman Professor of Law and the director of the Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution at the UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law.

Professor Sternlight's paper, "Disarming Employees: How American Employers Are Using Mandatory Arbitration to Deprive Workers of Legal Protection" was recently listed on the Social Science Research Network's top 10 download list for employment contract law (topic), labor and employment law (topic), labor arbitration law (topic), labor law ejournal, labor: public policy and regulation ejournal, labor (topic), conflict and resolution ejournals, and negotiation subject matter.

The paper is forthcoming in Vol. 80 of the Brooklyn Law Review. Its abstract reads, "Employers’ imposition of mandatory arbitration constricts employees’ access to justice. The twenty percent of the American workforce covered by mandatory arbitration clauses file just 2,000 arbitration claims annually, a miniscule number even compared to the small number of employees who litigate claims individually or as part of a class action. Exploring how mandatory arbitration prevents employees from enforcing their rights the Article shows employees covered by mandatory arbitration clauses (1) win far less frequently and far less money than employees who litigate; (2) have a harder time obtaining legal representation; (3) are often precluded from participating in class, collective or sometimes even group claims; and (4) do not fare well pro se in arbitration. Noting employers’ use of mandatory arbitration is likely increasing, the Article urges Congress to pass the Arbitration Fairness Act both to protect individual employees and also to ensure employment laws are enforced."

Sternlight is nationally and internationally recognized for her scholarship and law reform activities in the field of dispute resolution. 

Professor Jeffrey Stempel Quoted in Nerd Wallet Finance Article

Jeffrey Stempel is the Doris S. and Theodore B. Lee Professor of Law at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

Professor Stempel was quoted in a Nov. 17 article by Nerd Wallet titled, “Is Credit-Based Insurance Scoring Fair?” Nerd Wallet is an online resource offering data-driven tools and impartial information to help consumers make solid decisions about money.

The article, the third in a three-part series, examines the effectiveness of checking credit information to measure people’s insurance risk. In offering his insight into whether the practice is fair, Professor Stempel stated, “I think the opinion is that there might be better ways to do it, but it’s not a huge problem in terms of fairness.”

Professor Stempel has numerous publications to his credit, including books, treatise chapters and supplements, and law review articles. He is a 1981 graduate of Yale Law School, where he was an editor of the Yale Law Journal and co-founder of the Yale Law and Policy Review.

Boyd Students Kristian Kaskla and Aarin Kevorkian Win In-House Client Counseling Competition

UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law students Kristian Kaskla and Aarin Kevorkian took first place in the 16th annual Saltman Center In-House Client Counseling Competition. They will go on to represent the Boyd School of Law at the American Bar Association’s Regional Client Counseling Competition in spring 2016.

Boyd’s in-house competition took place Nov. 7 and 8. Kaskla and Kevorkian competed against second-place winners Elizabeth Do and Kevin Schweitzer, third-place winners Vincent Godinho and Brianna Lamanna, and other Boyd students.

The Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution, Society of Advocates, and Clark County Bar Association organized the event. The Bank of Nevada sponsored it, giving cash awards to the first-, second-, and third-place winners.

Boyd students Stephen Davis and Gil Kahn, who won last year’s In-House Client Counseling Competition, will travel to the University of Oregon School of Law in February to compete in the 2015 Regional Client Counseling Competition. They will compete against students from Arkansas, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Utah and Wyoming on the topic of family law.

As part of the competition, students conduct an interview with a person playing the role of the client, elicit facts, advise about the relevant law, provide options for proceeding, and assist the client in making an informed decision. The goal of the Client Counseling Competition is to test students’ competence of counseling skills, their ability to conduct client interviews, and their ability to utilize preventive law techniques.

Professor Mary LaFrance to Teach Course at East China University of Political Science and Law

Mary LaFrance is the IGT Professor of Intellectual Property Law at the UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law.

Professor LaFrance will teach a course on the Doctrine of Passing Off in Trademark Law to law students at the East China University of Political Science and Law from Nov. 22-27 in Shanghai.

Professor LaFrance’s teaching and research interests include domestic and international intellectual property law, as well as the taxation of intellectual property.

Judge Philip M. Pro Announces Retirement

Judge Philip M. Pro, United States district judge for the District of Nevada and great supporter of the Boyd School of Law, has announced that he will retire effective Jan. 16, 2015.

Judge Pro served as co-chair of the Advisory Board for the founding of the Boyd School of Law. He currently serves on the Boyd School of Law Advisory Board and the Board of the Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution.

In 2005, the Boyd School of Law established the Philip Pro Lectureship in Legal History with the inaugural lecture given by Pulitzer prize-winning historian Gordon Wood. The series annually brings an internationally prominent scholar to UNLV to deliver a public lecture.

Judge Pro commenced service on the Court on Oct. 6, 1980, when he was appointed United States magistrate judge. He was, at the age of 33, one of the youngest magistrate judges in the United States. In 1987, Judge Pro was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to serve as a United States district judge. Judge Pro was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 23, 1987. He served as chief judge from 2002 to 2007.

Read a Las Vegas Review-Journal article about Judge Pro, titled "Focus on fairness marks judge's distinguished career," here. 

Nov. 13 Boyd Briefs Now Available

The Nov. 13 edition of Boyd Briefs is now available.

This week's edition features Professor Marketa Trimble, student Tasha Schwikert, and alumna Maren Parry '01.

Professor Trimble is one of Boyd's most prolific and distinguished scholars. Renowned internationally and nationally for her expertise in international intellectual property law, her work is a very important component of the strong scholarly reputation of the law school.

Schwikert is a third-year student at Boyd, and was a member of the bronze-medal-winning United States women's gymnastics team at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. She currently serves as treasurer of the Black Law Students Association, and is a recipient of a Las Vegas Business Academy scholarship.

Parry  works as an associate attorney with the Las Vegas office of Ballard Spahr LLP, where she is a member of the firm's Real Estate department. She practices primarily in the areas of land use, government affairs, and privileged licensing.

To subscribe to Boyd Briefs, visit law.unlv.edu/BoydBriefs.

Professor Peter Brandon Bayer Quoted in Las Vegas Sun

Peter Brandon Bayer is an associate professor of law at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

On Nov. 12, he was quoted in the Las Vegas Sun article, "Business background shaped vision of UNLV presidential candidate Jessup."

The article, about a campus forum to hear from UNLV presidential candidate Len Jessup, reads, "'I thought his answers were thoughtful and on the point,' Bayer said. Ultimately, Bayer said he’s looking for a president who is a leader, an effective fundraiser and someone who understands UNLV’s mission. Still, only so much could be gained through a forum. He said it’ll be up to the UNLV president search committee to vet the candidate."   

Boyd Alumnus Jeremy Aguero '04 Featured on UNLV News Center

Boyd School of Law alumnus Jeremy Aguero '04 on Nov. 10 was featured in a UNLV News Center article titled, "Quick Take: Jeremy Aguero on Our Economy."

Aguero is the featured speaker at the Rebel Business Network's Nov. 18 luncheon, titled Local Economic Forecast: How Will Your Business Be Affected?

In the article, he said, "This really is a great time to be having a conversation about the economy. We have a legislative session coming up, population growth, and the housing market has gone from fast depreciating to fast appreciating. There is job creation again, $9 billion in construction planned or proposed. Tesla is a huge deal in the north and (unmanned aerial systems) in the south. (UNLV) is really doing some incredible things right now. We’re seeing the evolution of Southern Nevada right before our eyes and so many of these things, I'm proud to say, are represented by UNLV alumni."

Boyd Student Skylar Young Co-Authors Article About Police Transparency

Boyd School of Law student Skylar Young recently co-authored an article titled "Justice Delayed" for U.S. News & World Report.

Calling to hold law enforcement accountable in the mistreatment of blacks, the article reads, "The public must remember that police work is a public service. Transparency is an absolute must, so that the public can hold the police accountable when they engage in improper conduct and brutality. The public must also stop cringing every time any mention of racism comes up in the national conversation. Race has been an enduring part of American politics since the nation’s founding – from slavery and Jim Crow to voter ID laws and rampant cuts to Food Stamps and social programs. If we’re committed to the constitutional principles of equality and due process, we can't sweep this discussion under the rug."

Skylar's co-author was Jamie Chandler, a political scientist at the Colin L. Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at The City College of New York and the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University.

Boyd School of Law Ranks 22 on List of Best Law School Facilities

The Boyd School of Law ranked 22 in the nation on a list of best law school facilities. The list appeared in the November issue of The National Jurist magazine.

The article reads, "The National Jurist did an exhaustive review of the nation's 200-plus law schools to identify the very best buildings. We started by looking at numerous sources, including our own staff visits and The Princeton Review's 2014 edition of 'The Best 169 Law Schools.' We then gathered objective data from those schools on square footage of their buildings (libraries included), library hours and the number of seats in their libraries.

"We also wanted to know if they had a fitness center on the grounds or how far away one was. (Got to work off that stress.) Did they have dining? If so, where? What about lockers and study carrels? Finally, we judged the schools based on aesthetics," the article reads.

The Boyd School of law offers 586 square feet per student, 1.10 seats in the library per student, dining options, and lockers.

Professor Nancy Rapoport to Speak at Bankruptcy Ethics Symposium

Nancy B. Rapoport is the Gordon Silver Professor of Law at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

On Nov. 21, she will be the keynote speaker at the Federal Bar Association's 11th Annual Bankruptcy Ethics Symposium in Los Angeles.

Professor Rapoport's specialties are bankruptcy ethics, ethics in governance, and the depiction of lawyers in popular culture. 

Professor Kay Kindred to Attend Uniform Law Commission Meeting

Kay Kindred is a Ralph Denton Professor of Law at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

On Nov. 20-23, she will travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in a Uniform Law Commission meeting. Professor Kindred is a commissioner with the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, also known as the Uniform Law Commission, representing Nevada. In this capacity, she serves as a member of the drafting committee responsible for developing a uniform law governing the recognition and enforcement of Canadian domestic violence orders within the states and territories of the United States.

Professor Kindred has participated in the drafting of three prior uniform acts in her capacity as commissioner.

Professor Kindred has published extensively in the areas of family law, children’s rights, and education law.

Professor Rebecca Scharf Quoted in Fast Company Article

Rebecca Scharf is an associate professor of law at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

On Oct. 30, she was quoted in a Fast Company article titled, "Nevada's Mission to Build the Detroit of Drones."

In the article, she said, "One of the important things we have to consider is how to protect information that comes from the data collected from drones.”

She continued, "When it comes to regulating drone use, they’d definitely have to look at urban areas very differently from other areas. If we had state legislation in place geared at protecting privacy, then we could have a real conversation about how people would be protected.”

Professor Scharf earned her J.D. in 1991 from Harvard Law School, where she served as an editor on the Journal on Legislation. Prior to coming to the Boyd School of Law, Professor Scharf worked as a senior attorney with the National Center for Law and Economic Justice (formerly known as the Welfare Law Center) in New York City, where she conducted class action impact litigation throughout the United States, primarily in the area of public benefits law.

Nevada IP Practitioners Share Their Expertise and Enthusiasm with Boyd Students

The most enriching environment for students is one that enables them to learn from both excellent academic faculty and highly experienced practitioners. Boyd students benefit even more when the practitioners are from Nevada and share their observations about practicing law from a Nevada viewpoint. This semester Boyd students benefited from two events that brought an outstanding group of intellectual property (“IP”) law practitioners to Boyd.

The first event, a panel discussion on October 7, 2014, featured three attorneys who practice in Las Vegas; they discussed career options available in the practice of IP law. W. West Allen, a partner at Lewis Rocca Rothgerber, spoke about his role in litigation and his role as adviser to companies on a wide variety of IP matters. Seaton J. Curran, an attorney with Howard & Howard, explained his role in prosecuting patents before the USPTO and foreign patent offices and advising inventors and companies on patent filing issues. Abiola Shobola, Intellectual Property Counsel at Aristocrat Technologies, Inc., discussed her experience as in-house counsel at a large corporation and her dealings with IP issues, including trademark licensing and Internet domain name matters.

The second event, a panel discussion on November 4, 2014, featured two attorneys practicing in Nevada who discussed the impact of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions on the general practice of IP law, and IP law practice in Nevada in particular. Robert C. Ryan, a partner at the Holland & Hart Reno office, shared his story of personal involvement in the seminal U.S. Supreme Court case of Parker v. Flook, which he worked on while he was a law student, and discussed in detail the Court’s June 2014 decision in Alice v. CLS Bank, which has had a profound effect on patent applicants seeking to protect their computer-implemented inventions. John Brown, Of Counsel at Holland & Hart’s Las Vegas office, offered his view as an attorney who advises companies throughout their business cycles on a variety of issues that often include IP or intersect with IP matters. Students learned how the uncertainty about the effects of recent U.S. Supreme Court IP decisions affects startups, established businesses, and investors who might consider investing in IP-focused ventures.

The two events were co-organized by Associate Professor Marketa Trimble, an IP faculty member at Boyd, and the Boyd Career Development Office.

Professors LaFrance and Trimble Present at the 3rd Annual U.S.-China IP Conference

(From left) Professors Mary LaFrance and Marketa Trimble

On November 7, 2014, Professor Mary LaFrance and Associate Professor Marketa Trimble joined other IP law scholars at the 3rd Annual U.S.-China IP Conference at Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. The event was organized by Berkeley Law School’s Center for Law & Technology, Loyola Law School, and Renmin University of China. This year’s conference focused on the following five topics: (1) revisions to the copyright laws of the United States and China; (2) IP issues related to the entertainment industry; (3) the role of specialized IP courts; (4) patent and trade secrets legislation and protection; and (5) challenges and strategies in cross-border IP enforcement.

The Conference brought together senior policymakers, academics, and international practitioners from both the United States and China. Among the many prominent speakers were the following IP law experts:

• Stacey Byrnes, Senior Vice President of NBC Universal/Universal Studios
• Colleen V. Chien of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
• Liu Chuntian, Dean of Renmin University IP Academy
• Mark Cohen of the USPTO
• Professor Terry Fischer of Harvard Law School
• Professor Robert Merges of Berkeley Law School
• Professor David Nimmer of UCLA School of Law
• Liu Ping of the Music Copyright Society of China
• Professor Zhang Ping of Peking University Law School
• Professor Seagull Song of Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
• Maria Strong of the U.S. Copyright Office
• Peter Yu of Drake Law School

Professor La France was invited to present “The Future of Performers’ Rights.” In her presentation she gave an overview of the current state of performers’ rights from the international law and comparative law perspectives. She then detailed the situation in the United States and explained how current U.S. law protects the moral and economic rights of performers. She concluded with the main features of the 1996 WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty and the 2012 WIPO Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances, and by identifying how U.S. law might need to be amended to reflect U.S. obligations in the international treaties.

Professor Trimble was invited to participate in the panel discussion “Challenges and Strategies in Cross-Border IP Enforcement.” Her co-panelists were three practitioners from large international law firms, two Chinese academics, and a USPTO official. In the discussion Professor Trimble commented on the practical limitations of customs measures designed to stop infringing goods at country borders; she pointed out the high volume of goods coming through centralized points of entry such as the Port of Hamburg, and the limited resources of customs offices. Countries’ court proceedings should provide legal certainty and due process, and Professor Trimble emphasized the need for finality in cross-border IP enforcement, as shown in recent complex cross-border IP cases such as Microsoft Corp. v. Motorola, Inc. Professor Trimble also reported briefly on the activities of the International Law Association’s Committee on Intellectual Property and Private International Law, on which she serves.

Professor Ruben Garcia Co-authors Letter on Behalf of SALT, Mentioned in New York Law Journal

Ruben J. Garcia is a Professor of Law at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

On Nov. 5, a letter he co-authored on behalf of the Society of American Law Teachers (SALT) was mentioned in a New York Law Journal article titled, "Lippman to Meet With Deans About Bar Exam Proposal."

Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman of the New York Court of Appeals has proposed to change New York's state bar exam to include more elements from the nationally standardized Uniform Bar Examination.

On behalf of SALT, co-presidents Professor Garcia and Olympia Duhart wrote the following in a letter to the New York State Board of Law Examiners: " ... we urge the Court of Appeals to delay implementation until there has been an opportunity to seriously assess the impact of this exam on all students and, more particularly, to assess whether or not its adoption would exacerbate the persistent disparate impact of the bar exam on racial and ethnic minorities."

A recognized expert in the field of labor and employment law, Garcia teaches Labor Law, Employment Law, Constitutional Law, and Professional Responsibility at the Boyd School of Law. He has been quoted in the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Las Vegas Review-Journal, among others, and has appeared on national and local radio and television programs.