January News

A WORD FROM OUR INCOMING NNWLA PRESIDENT JOCELYN OSTOMEL

Happy New Year from NNWLA! 2021 continued to be a challenging year as we dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic. While we were unfortunately unable to host our annual holiday party, we still raised over $5,000 for our Veterans Memorial Elementary School Fundraiser! Thank you to all of our members and friends for your generous donations—it truly makes a difference! Your 2022 Board is moving full steam ahead to plan a great year of events for all of you! This year, we will strive to host at least 6 free or reduced cost CLE courses for our members. Our first CLE will be a Sex Trafficking Awareness and Prevention CLE on January 19, from 12-1pm, on ZOOM, and it is FREE for members (1 General CLE credit pending). Make sure to pay your membership dues here to take full advantage! And in February, NNWLA will be hosting an ethics CLE,  “Managing Bias for Strong Workplaces,” on February 10 from 12-1pm, on ZOOM (credit pending). Registration for both CLEs are open now here. 

Last year, NNWLA hosted its inaugural Past Presidents’ Meeting. This event gave our incoming board a wealth of information and ideas that we hope to draw from throughout the year. Given the feedback, NNWLA is reintroducing and invigorating our Mentorship Circles. These circles will meet once per month, from March through October, on the third Thursday of each month. If you are interested in meeting other women lawyers in our community, and giving and receiving mentorship, please fill out this Statement of Interest by February 28, 2022, to help NNWLA place you in a circle that best fits your needs. NNWLA will also endeavor to host more family and kid friendly events. If this interests you, save the date for April 23, at 10am, when NNWLA will be hosting a family friendly yoga class in the park. 

In 2020, NNWLA started its Prospective Law Student Scholarship with the University of Nevada, Reno to promote equality and reduce the gender gap in the legal profession. Through the generous donations of our members and a grant from the State Bar, NNWLA was able to endow this scholarship for one student. But we know we can do more, and this year will continue fundraising so that we can support more students with the financial cost of applying for law school. Learn more about our scholarship and donate here.  
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While this coming year still leaves much uncertainty, the 2022 NNWLA Board is committed to bringing our members quality programs, CLEs, and mentorship and social events. We hope to see you all (either virtually or in-person) soon! 

​MEET NNWLA'S 2022 BOARD

While we were unable to hold our annual Holiday Party this December due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NNWLA membership elected the new 2022 slate of officers via an online election: President, Jocelyn Ostomel; Vice President, Bronagh Kelly; Secretary, Andolyn Johnson; Treasurer, Andrea Nichols; Communications Chair, Briana Collings; Scholarship Chair, Kendra Bertschy; and Committee Members, Regina Bradley, Jenna Garcia, Chloe McClintick, Samantha Reviglio, Jennifer Richards, and Pierron Tackes. 

President, Jocelyn Ostomel, served as the 2021 Treasurer and the 2020 Communications Chair. Jocelyn will start at the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office on January 10 as a Deputy District Attorney. 

Vice President, Bronagh Kelly, most recently served as the 2021 and 2020 Secretary. Bronagh is an Associate at Woodburn and Wedge practicing family law. 

Secretary, Andolyn Johnson, has served as a committee member since 2019. Andolyn is an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Nevada. 

Treasurer, Andrea Nichols, joins NNWLA for her first term on the Board. Andrea is a Senior Deputy Attorney General at the Office of the Attorney General. 

Communications Chair, Briana Collings, served as Communications Chair in 2021. Briana is an Associate at Robertson, Johnson, Miller & Williamson practicing civil litigation. 

Scholarship Chair, Kendra Bertschy, most recently served as the 2020 President and started the NNWLA Prospective Law Student Scholarship through the University of Nevada, Reno. Kendra is a Deputy Public Defender at the Washoe County Public Defender’s Office. 

Committee member, Regina Bradley, joins NNWLA for her first term on the Board. Regina is a Deputy Public Defender at the Washoe County Public Defender’s Office. 

Committee member, Jenna Garcia, served three terms as Treasurer and remains active in NNWLA as a committee member. Jenna is a Deputy Public Defender at the Alternate Public Defender’s Office. 

Committee member, Chloe McClintick, served as a 2021 committee member. Chloe is an Associate at The Law Office of Marilyn D. York where she practices family law. 

Committee member, Samantha Reviglio, most recently served as the 2021 Vice President and 2020 Treasurer. Samantha is an Associate at Robertson, Johnson, Miller & Williamson practicing civil litigation. 

Committee member, Jennifer Richards, served as a 2021 committee member. Jennifer is the Chief Elder & Disability Rights Attorney at the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services. 

Committee member, Pierron Tackes, joins NNWLA for her first term on the Board. Pierron is a Deputy Attorney General at the Office of the Attorney General.

​NNWLA is also thankful to have 2021 President Stephanie Funk returning as an advisor, and State Bar President Ann Morgan returning as our State Bar Liaison.

UPCOMING EVENTS

January 19, 2022 at 12 noon

Join NNWLA for The Fight Isn't Over Yet: What Lawyers Can Do to Prevent Sex Trafficking in Nevada and Help Survivors. Attendance is free for members and $15 for non-members. Register here for one general CLE credit.

February 10, 2022 at 12 noon

Join NNWLA for an ethics CLE: Managing Bias for a Successful Workplace. This will be a lunchtime CLE via Zoom. Attendance is $20 for members, $30 for non-members, or $40 for a member and a non-member colleague. Register here for one ethics CLE credit.

PLEASE PAY YOUR 2022 DUES!

Pay Dues Here

THANK YOU FOR ALL DONATIONS TO VETERANS MEMORIAL

NNWLA would like to extend a special thank you to our Gold Sponsors ($500+): Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman, LLP, Gunderson Law, and Fennemore Law; our Silver Sponsors ($100-$499): Halstead Law Offices, LLC, Judge Deborah Schumacher, Kathleen Noneman, Emily Reed, Christine Smith, Alicia Johnson, and Chandeni Sendall; and our Bronze Sponsors ($1-$99): Nancyann Leeder, Melissa Exline, Heather Procter, Kendra Bertschy, Victoria Oldenburg, Sara Montalvo, and Janet Traut. 

NEW INCUBATOR CLASS OPPORTUNITY

NEW INCUBATOR CLASS LAUNCHES
March 4, 2022 - APPLY NOW!
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If you are new to the practice of law - or looking to enter private practice for the first time in your career - get the mentoring and resources you need through the Handle|BAR Incubator Program. This program is designed for those with an entrepreneurial spirit and
enthusiasm about serving low- and modest-income clients. Benefits include:
 
BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Furnished office and meeting room space within the State Bar of Nevada’s Las Vegas and Reno offices.
• Free CLE.
• Weekly mentoring, education and tips on how to start and build your practice from our practice management advisor.
• Support from the state bar’s business partners.
• Information from experienced attorneys who have opened their own practices.
• Sessions with judges on tips from the bench.

 
BUILD YOUR CLIENT BASE

Build your client base and retain all fees collected. Give back to the community though pro bono and modest means representation.
 
ONE YEAR COMMITTMENT

$3,000 program fee (scholarships will be available). Selected applicants to begin Incubator Program March 4, 2022.
 
APPLY TODAY!

JOB POSTING

Job Description
The University of Nevada, Reno, seeks applicants for an Assistant General Counsel that reports administratively to the General Counsel.
The Assistant General Counsel litigates on behalf of UNR in consultation with the General Counsel and assists the General Counsel in planning, organizing, and guiding UNR’s legal activities.  The Assistant General Counsel assists in providing advice and counsel to senior academic and administrative officers of the University concerning UNR’s legal rights and obligations.  Scope of the role includes litigation, administrative and regulatory matters, whether in the courts of the State of Nevada or the United States and in all federal and state administrative agencies, client counseling and contracts.
The Assistant General Counsel conducts legal research and advises University officers on matters pertaining to compliance with state and federal laws affecting the University with particular emphasis on litigation, contracts, business and tort law, employment law and dispute resolution, intellectual property, the First Amendment and student rights. The position is also responsible for other such legal or administrative duties as may be assigned by the General Counsel.  Concurrent private practice is precluded. 
The successful candidate will have excellent written and verbal skills; personal and professional integrity; knowledge of civil procedure, state and federal laws, relevant law and legal practice, and court procedures; excellent relationship-building skills working with diverse offices and be a team player.
Required Qualifications
Law Degree and five years of related professional experience in civil practice including litigation and contracts
Licensure
Licensure to practice law in the State of Nevada
Schedule and Travel
Variable work schedule
Occasional travel
To apply, please click on link:  https://nshe.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UNR-external/job/University-of-Nevada-Reno---Main-Campus/Assistant-General-Counsel_R0126932

DON'T FORGET NNWLA'S SCHOLARSHIP

Donate to NNWLA's Scholarship Here

MEMBER CONTACT UPDATE

Have you moved firms in the last few years? Would you prefer to receive these emails at a different address? If so, please update your contact information here.

Be well,
NNWLA Board