Conference Chair U.S. Magistrate Judge Craig Denney

STATE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT REPORT
Chief U.S. Circuit Judge Mary Murguia

STATE OF THE DISTRICT COURT REPORT
Chief U.S. District Judge Andrew Gordon

STATE OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT REPORT
Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Natalie Cox

Nevada’s basin and range topography is characterized by an arid climate. The arid climate makes the water in Northern Nevada’s rivers a precious commodity. Over the last century, competing interest groups have largely been able to balance their demands for water through a unique system of water rights adjudications overseen by judges in this District. Professor Bret Birdsong of UNLV’s Boyd School of Law moderates this panel of water experts and attorneys who will describe the history of these major water rights cases. In the process, panelists will provide a historical overview of the interstate water cases handled by the District, with additional commentary on the challenges posed by balancing competing interests in shared resources, as well as the unique role of the court in resolving those issues. The panel will also distill out lessons from these adjudication proceedings.

Moderator: Bret Birdsong – Professor of Law – UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law

Panelists:

Andrew Mergen – Emmett Visiting Assistant Clinical Professor of Law in Environmental Law / Faculty Director, Emmett Environmental Law and Policy Clinic – Harvard Law School

Joanne Sarkisian – Chief Deputy Water Commissioner / Water Master – U.S. Board of Water Commissioners

Wes Williams Jr. – Law Office of Wes Williams Jr.

15-MINUTE BREAK

Hon. Cristina D. Silva – moderator – U.S. District Judge, District of Nevada; former State District Court Judge, Eighth Judicial District Court, State of Nevada; former Criminal Chief & Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Nevada; Assistant State Attorney, Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office

Jason Frierson – panelist – principal & counsel, Cornerstone Government Affairs; former U.S. Attorney for District of Nevada; former Speaker of the Nevada State Assembly; former Assistant Public Defender, Clark County Public Defender’s Office; former Chief Deputy District Attorney – Juvenile Division, Clark County District Attorney’s Office

Kate Berry – panelist – Assistant Federal Public Defender, Office of the Federal Public Defender, District of Nevada; former Judicial Law Clerk, U.S. District Court, District of Nevada

Frank LaForge – panelist – Assistant General Counsel, University of Nevada, Reno; former Attorney, Holland & Hart LLP; former Associate Attorney, Howard Rice; former Judicial Law Clerk, Alaska Supreme Court

Sarah Bradley – panelist – Deputy Executive Director, Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners; Chair of Public Lawyers Section, State Bar of Nevada; former Senior Deputy Attorney General, Nevada Office of the Attorney General, former Judicial Law Clerk, Seventh Judicial District Court, State of Nevada

This CLE program features a panel of four experienced attorneys and a moderator/judge
discussing the professional and personal rewards of government service and pro bono work.
Panelists will share insights on career development, skill-building opportunities, and the
fulfillment gained from serving the public and representing underserved communities.
Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how these paths can enhance legal careers,
expand networks, and align with ethical responsibilities. The session encourages reflection
on public interest law as a meaningful and impactful career choice.

Chief U.S. Circuit Judge Mary Murguia

Dr. Arin N. Reeves
Founder and Managing Director of Nextions LLC
Specializes in Workplace Culture Change

As a researcher, author, and top advisor to leaders in companies, firms, and organizations globally, Dr. Arin N. Reeves offers expertise and insights on a wide range of leadership and workplace culture topics.
Arin is the best-selling author of The Next IQ, One Size Never Fits All, and Smarter Than A Lie. Her latest book is In Charge: The Energy Management Guide for Badass Women Who Are Tired of Being Tired.

Understanding, negotiating, and managing generational differences (and similarities) is critical to developing the full range of experiences and insights you need in order to achieve excellence, service clients, and effectively manage relationships with colleagues and clients in today’s workplace. In this interactive session, Dr. Reeves will facilitate our exploration of the research, best practices, and practical advice on how to recognize and address generational differences in the workplace and in client development/service relationships. Whether seeking to give/get better feedback, serve/develop clients of all generations, or build networks that strengthen individual careers as well as organizational strength, you will develop skills to bridge generational differences and drive more effective interactions and relationships through the small group dialogues in this session. This interactive program uses research, best practices, and practical advice on how to recognize and address generational differences in the legal profession and your professional relationships. Whether engaging in professional dialogue and interactions with Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, or Millennials or connecting with all generations in the public, you will develop the awareness and skills to bridge generational differences and drive more effective interactions and relationships at work.   

Professor Stephen Vladeck
Professor of Law
Georgetown University Law Center

Professor Vladeck is a nationally recognized expert on the U.S. Supreme Court and the author of The New York Times bestselling book The Shadow Docket: How the Supreme Court Uses Stealth Rulings to Amass Power and Undermine the Republic. He will share his expertise with an in-depth review of the current Supreme Court term, including insights into recent decisions and emerging trends.

This CLE class will provide an overview of key U.S. Supreme Court cases from the most
recent term, highlighting major legal principles and their implications. Topics include
decisions on constitutional rights, statutory interpretation, and administrative authority,
with a focus on areas like voting rights, immigration, and executive power. The course will
review the Court’s approach to balancing individual freedoms with state interests, and the
evolving role of the judiciary in shaping national policy. Participants will gain insights into
how these rulings affect practice areas such as civil rights, business law, and criminal justice,
and explore strategies for staying current with ongoing legal developments.

*** SEPARATE TICKET REQUIRED ***

Please click here to purchase tickets/sponsorships (NVFedBar.org)

• Federal District Court Conference Dinner – Located at the Hideaway Lounge within the Renaissance Hotel, One Lake Street, Reno, Nevada 89501.
• An elegant evening featuring a seated dinner, engaging conversations, and opportunities to connect with legal professionals across the district.
• Please email FBANevada@gmail.com for any questions or for other sponsorship opportunities.