January Scoop

January 16th: Vision Board Social Event

Please join NNWLA for our first social event of 2020 on Thursday, January 16th at 5:30 p.m. at The Innevation Center, located at 450 Sinclair St, Reno, NV 89501.  Let us help you make your dreams a reality in 2020!   A vision board is a inspirational collage created from pictures that is a representation of your vision for your future.  It is a powerful way to make your dreams more tangible and attainable.   This workshop is lead by motivational coach, Becca Engh.  Light appetizers, drinks, and all of the materials will be provided for you.  Feel free to bring your own scissors, magazines, pens, or any other craft supplies.  To RSVP, please go to our Events page or click HERE.

Meet the 2020 NNWLA Board

L-R: Andolyn Johnson, Chelsea Mazza, Bronagh Kelly, Kendra Bertschy, Stephanie Funk, Jocelyn Ostomel, Samantha Reviglio. Not pictured: Jenna Garcia, Karen Monrreal and Rajinder Rai-Nielsen.

During our December meeting and annual Holiday Party, the NNWLA membership elected the new officers for 2020: President Kendra G. Bertschy, Vice President Stephanie Funk, Secretary Bronagh Kelly, Treasurer Samantha Revilgio, Communications and Newsletter Chair Jocelyn Ostomel, Newsletter Committee Jenna Garcia, Chelsea Mazza, Andolyn Johnson, Karen Monreal, and Rajinder K. Rai-Nielsen.  In the spirit of our focus on community services, please find additional information about our 2020 Board and the cause or organization that they wish to highlight.

President Kendra G. Bertschy served as the Vice President in 2019.  She was the Communications Chair in 2018 and 2017.  She is a Deputy Public Defender at the Washoe County Public Defender's Office.  In her spare time, she volunteers with organizations that focus on foster youth, homeless, and veterans.  She is the Chair of the Washoe CASA Foundation.

Vice President Stephanie Funk was the 2019 Secretary.  She is a partner at Fahrendorf, Viloria, Oliphant & Oster.  Stephanie is also a board member for the Junior League of Reno and focuses on causes the benefit women and children.
 
Secretary Bronagh Kelly continues with the Board after serving as the Communications Chair in 2019. Bronagh is an associate at Woodburn and Wedge.  The cause that she is passionate about is the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
             
Treasurer Samantha Reviglio served as a member of the Communications Committee in 2019 and 2018.  She is an associate at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck.  Samantha coordinates that award-winning Kids Court School.
 
Communications and Newsletter Chair Jocelyn Ostomel is a law clerk at the United States District Court, District of Nevada.  Jocelyn is still searching for “her cause.”
 
Jenna Garcia joins our Communications Committee after serving three terms as our treasurer. Jenna is a Deputy Alternate Public Defender at the Washoe County Alternate Public Defender's Office.  She volunteers with causes that increase civic education and awareness amongst the youth, such as We the People.  Andolyn Johnson returns to our Communications Committee for 2019.  She is an Assistant U.S. Attorney with the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Nevada.  Chelsea Mazza served as our Secretary in 2018 and returns to the Communications Committee. She is a Deputy District Attorney at the Douglas County District Attorney's Office. She supports causes that support Breast Cancer and Alzheimer’s awareness.  Karen Monrreal is new to the Board.  She is an attorney at the Law Office of Karen S. Monrreal.  Her causes are immigration and victims of crime relief.  Rajinder K. Rai-Nielsen is also new to the Committee for 2019. She is a solo practitioner and formerly worked for the State of Nevada.  Rajinder’s supports causes that assist under-represented women and children navigating courts and victims of domestic violence.

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​A Word From Our New 2020 President

- by Kendra G. Bertschy

On behalf of the 2020 Board, I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!  I want to take this opportunity to thank our members for supporting NNWLA and to especially thank our 2019 President, Katie Hoffman, for her leadership and commitment to NNWLA.  Last year, NNWLA organized an impressive combination of unique social events and informative CLEs.  We learned about ethical considerations with new technology, discussed legislative updates, and celebrated Women’s History Month with the current Supreme Court Justices and Justice Miriam Shearing.  We also co-sponsored our first event with the Reno Tahoe Chamber of Commerce complete with distinguished panelists who shared their perspective on bridging the gender divide.  We ended our year with our festive annual holiday party, graciously hosted by the Honorable Judge Simons.  Finally, due to your generosity, we were able to shop for 50 Veterans Memorial Elementary School students at J.C. Penney’s on December 14th. We have included a thank you letter from Veterans Memorial Elementary School in this blog.  Thank you to everyone who donated to this event or spent their Saturday morning fulfilling holiday wishes of children in our community.

In 2020, we are focusing our events on promoting professional development and provide community services opportunities.  We will continue with our annual tradition of hosting a Lawyer in the Library event in May and the shopping event for Veterans Memorial Elementary School.  However, we want to do more throughout the year to continue with NNWLA’s long tradition of volunteering and partnering with causes that benefit our local community. 

I am excited to announce that we are partnering with The Children’s Cabinet, a local non-profit organization that aims a keeping children safe and families together by providing services and resources to our community members in need.  Each month we will host an opportunity for our members to volunteer by presenting on a legal topic of the member’s choosing and answer basic legal questions about that topic.  If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please email me at kbertschy@washoecounty.us.   We will also provide our members with other opportunities to volunteer throughout the year, including by donating to a business suit drive!

We also want to provide our members with information about other local non-profits.  In each blog, we will highlight one member and the community service organization that they are passionate about – their cause.  Please email nnwla.communications@gmail.com if you want your cause featured.

The NNWLA Board is already busy organizing the 2020 events, which will include a CLE discussion with Judge Drakulich and Senior Judge Schumacher on Settlement Conferences, a social event with the Washoe County Bar Association, and a CLE on Jury Selection lead by Judge Simons that you will not want to miss!

Lastly, I wish to invite you to our first event of 2020.  On Thursday, January 16th at 5:30 p.m. at the Innevations Center, we are hosting a Vision Boarding workshop lead by a motivational coach, Becca Engh.  This event aims at helping you focus your goals to make them more attainable.  We look forward to seeing you in 2020 and thank you for your continued support! 

Save the Date: February 19, 2020 Settlement Conference (Ethics) CLE Event

Please join us on Wednesday February 19, 2020 for a CLE lunchtime discussion at the Innevation Center (450 Sinclair St, Reno, NV 89501).  We will hear from Judge Drakulich and Senior Judge Schumacher about the challenges and goals of criminal and civil settlement conference, how to make the most out of settlement conferences, and ethical concerns of disclosing confidential information.

More details coming soon!​  1 Ethics CLE pending.

Veterans Memorial Holiday Shopping Event

NNWLA Volunteers ready to shop!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our members, their families, and law firms, NNWLA was able to shop for over 50 deserving children from Veterans Memorial Elementary School. 

A big thank you to our generous donors who made this event possible:

Gold Donors: Woodburn and Wedge, Fennemore Craig, Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman.

Silver Donors: Gunderson Law Firm, Emily Reed, Deborah Schroeder, Andolyn Johnson, Marilee Cate, Lara Day.

Bronze Donors: Lemons Grundy & Eisenberg, Alice Mercado, Holly Estes, Theresa Ristenpart, Judge Cynthia Lu, Valerie Cooke, Chandeni Sendall, Sally Bassett, Abigail Stephenson, Vicky Oldenburg, Amy Tirre, Judge Connie Steinheimer, Diana Zuccarini, Nancy Ghusn, Christine Smith, Kim Goodnight, Kendra Bertschy, Emily Gust, Janet Traut, NancyAnn Leeder, Dawn Gearhart, Ann Morgan, Patricia Lynch.

Thank you to all our volunteers! This event would not be possible without your support. Samantha Amato, Sally Bassett, Sharon Benson, Kendra Bertschy, Marilee Cate, Stephanie Cook, Samantha Edmondo, Holly Estes, Stephanie and John Funk, Ginger Graves, Bronagh Kelly and Cody Witt, Vincent Lewandowski, Jocelyn Ostomel, Nacy Ostymer, Jacey Prupas Kaelin Ragsdale, Dennis Ragsdale, Debra Schroeder, Hon. Debrah Schumacher, Hon. Connie Steinheimer, Andolyn Johnson and Chris Galea, Hollie Buell, Nick Ryska, Chelsea Mazza, Katie and Ben Hoffman, Alice Mercado, Erin O’Leary, Zack Chamberlain.

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2020 NNWLA Partnership with The Children's Cabinet

In advance of NNWLA's partnership in 2020 with The Children's Cabinet, we are delighted that Judge Robb took time to share some insight into the organization and what it really does.

The Children's Cabinet

- by Hon. Bridget E. Robb

​Everyone is familiar with the name “The Children’s Cabinet.” It evokes positive feelings and is an organization worth supporting. But what does it do?

The Children’s Cabinet has locations in Reno, Carson City, Elko and Las Vegas. It partners with public entities including Washoe County Human Services Agency, Juvenile Services, Washoe County School District, Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services and the U.S. Department of Labor. Its more than 20 programs are for children 0-24 and their parents, and are free and available to all families. But what does it do?

After taking a site tour and having been elected to the Board of Directors, I can start to answer that question.

1.      Supporting Early Childhood Education & Development
The Children's Cabinet administers the State of Nevada's Child Care Subsidy Program, enabling low-income families to access safe and quality licensed child care.  The Cabinet also provides free parenting classes on a weekly basis touching on positive parenting, and appropriate discipline aimed at helping parents interact with their children in healthy and meaningful ways.

2.      Family Counseling & Case Management
The Cabinet is the only non-profit in Northern Nevada that provides free family counseling.  Case management and crisis intervention services are provided as well.  When a teenager comes to The Cabinet for help, their immediate needs are addressed first and then the entire family is involved to create a stronger unit and to achieve long-term, family-based solutions.  These services are available to all families.

3.     Safe Place and Transitional Living
The cabinet protects youth who are homeless, neglected, or in an unsafe situation.  Teens can ask for help through the 24-hour hotline (1-800-536-4588) or through local businesses acting as a Safe Place site.  The response is immediate and can include shelter, case management, counseling and referral services.

4.      Redfield Academy
The Cabinet has an on-site high school for Washoe County students who are two or more semesters behind in school, designed for credit recovery and to earn a high school diploma.  This school has small classes with few distractions.  Students are involved in developing their own personal academic plans and they receive couseling services to help them achieve their goals.

5.      Youth Work Experience
The Cabinet assists with jobs and employment training.  One program, Washoe Youthbuild, provides at-risk youth with educational and vocational training in the construction industry, which includes 300 hours of classroom and on-site training to earn a high school diploma and professional certifications.

6.      Independent Living for Foster Care Youth
The Cabinet helps youth (ages 15-21) transition out of foster care.  These services include teaching financial planning and budgeting, career counseling and assistance for meeting basic needs.  Participants also have access to financial aid for college.

7.      Food Pantry
When a family comes to The Cabinet, the first step is to make sure basic needs (food, clothing and shelter) are being met.  All clients have access to the on-site food pantry provided in conjunction with the Food Bank of Northern Nevada.  With $3.50, The Cabinet can feed one family for a week.  Currently 1500 families are helped through the Food Pantry each year.

The Children's Cabinet does amazing and essential work in our community.  Please contact me if you would like to arrange a tour or learn more about the programs the Children's Cabinet provides.

Hon. Bridget Robb at Janet.Taylor@washoecourts.us or (775) 325-6732.

2019 Sustaining Members

Thank you to our 2019 sustaining members: Rebecca Bruch, Marilee Cate, Jann Chubb, Judge Valerie Cook, Kendra Follett, Patricia Halstead, Judge Cynthia Lu, Patricia Lynch, Ann Morgan, Samantha Reviglio, Deborah Shroeder, Judge Deborah Schumacher,  Judge Lynne Simons, Judge Ryan Sullivan, Justice Lydia Stiglich, Alison Testa, Amy Tirre,  and Sandra Wilson.

Your support of NNWLA is vital and enables us to put on wonderful CLE events and social gatherings throughout the year. Thank you!

​Member Recognition

Congratulations to our Vice President, Stephanie Funk, on being named a partner at Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman, LLP.  Congratulations Stephanie!

Join the NNWLA Lunchtime Mentoring Circle

​NNWLA is seeking members for our downtown lunch mentoring circle.  This mentoring circle meets at noon every third Thursday every other month at the Washoe Public House.  In the mentoring circle, NNWLA members will have the opportunity to give advice, get advice, share experiences, and referrals in a friendly environment.  This is a fantastic opportunity aimed at building stronger connections among our members and fostering professional development.  If you are interested in joining, please email nnwlw.rsvp@gmail.com.​  Please feel free to email if you have any questions.

Member's Only Referral Page

We are excited to announce that we finally have our Member’s Only Referral page available to our members.  Based upon popular demand, this webpage was developed to provide our members a secure page where they can look to get and receive referrals.  We will send out an email this week with the password and information explaining how to login to the webpage.  If you do not get an email from us this week, please contact our Treasurer, Samantha Reviglio, at sreviglio@bhfs.com to confirm that you are current on your membership.

If you are a member and would like your information to be included on the webpage, please fill out the form on our Membership page on our website or print out the attached form by clicking HERE.  Please email your completed form to nnwla.communications@gmail.com.  If you have any questions about this page, please contact our Communications Chair, Jocelyn Ostomel, at nnwla.communications@gmail.com.

Membership Renewal

As 2019 has now come to a close, please take a moment to renew your NNWLA membership for 2020. As a reminder, your dues are for the entire 2020 calendar year.  

In particular, NNWLA would like to encourage our members to consider renewing their membership at the Sustaining Member level. We greatly appreciate the generous support our Sustaining Members provide and we thank all of the sustaining members in our January publication each year.  Please click on this link to be directed to our membership page or print the attached form by clicking on this link.  You can email the form to sreviglio@bhfs.com or mail it to Samantha Reviglio, P.O. Box 40953, Reno, NV 89504.  Please make sure to send us your membership form so that you can be added to our members referral page!