About

Nancy Bernstein, a Las Vegas native born into a Cuban American family, was profoundly influenced by her mother's enduring career as a Teamster. Furthermore, her father had a lengthy career in the hotel casino industry and was a devoted member of the Bartenders Union for over two decades until his passing.This upbringing instilled in her the virtues of perseverance and commitment, significantly shaping her approach to both the legal profession and community service in Las Vegas. Nancy is proficient in Spanish, completed her entire K-12 education within the Clark County School District, and earned both her undergraduate and law degrees from UNLV. She graduated with honors from Western High School, where she was not only a cheerleader but also a distinguished member of the National Honor Society. During her undergraduate studies at UNLV, she consistently excelled academically, achieving a graduating GPA of 3.8 and earning a place on the Dean's List.

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Her journey in the legal profession commenced with a clerkship under District Court Judge Lee A. Gates, during which she played a pivotal role in the establishment of the moderate offender's program at the Las Vegas Justice Court. With over 15 years of experience in private practice as both a criminal defense attorney and civil litigator, her extensive background has afforded her valuable insights into the workings of the criminal and civil justice systems.

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Nancy gained experience as an intern at the DA's office and played a co-chair role in a multi-defendant trial. The outcome of the case resulted in successful convictions for kidnapping and robbery, delivering justice to the victims. Additionally, several members of Nancy's family have military backgrounds, including her stepbrother, who has served as a North Las Vegas police officer for many years after completing his service in the Navy.

 

Nancy's dedication to upholding justice has not gone unnoticed, as she has been honored with prestigious accolades such as the Pillar of Justice Award and the Mexican Patriotic Civic Community Award. These awards serve as a testament to her unwavering commitment to ensuring that justice is accessible to all individuals within the community.

 

During Kenny Guinn's tenure as governor, he appointed Nancy to the National NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) board, where she played a significant role in shaping mental health policies. This period also marked the initiation of mental health hospitals in Southern Nevada under his leadership.

 

She has also devoted hundreds of hours to the Southern Nevada Legal Aid’s Children Attorney Project, participating in a trial that reached the Nevada Supreme Court.

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As a mother of three, Nancy takes pride in her children’s achievements: one following in her footsteps as a lawyer, another excelling as a hiring manager at a major Las Vegas hotel, and the youngest excelling academically and in baseball. The Bernstein family, united in their dedication to justice, community service, and Southern Nevada Communities, embodies the principles of hard work and determination.

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Currently, Nancy Bernstein serves as an attorney at the Richard Harris Law Firm, having progressed from a Legal Assistant to an attorney at various stages over the years.