Like many of today's students at UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law, Justin Curley, J.D. 2006, was a big sports fan when he attended the school in the mid-2000s.
But unlike many of today's Boyd students, Curley did not aspire to practice law in the Las Vegas professional sports industry. Because there wasn't much industry at that time.
In fact, Las Vegas' first major professional sports franchise, the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights, did not begin play until more than a decade into Curley's professional career.
So during her 13-year tenure at the Las Vegas-based law firm of Snell & Wilmer, Carly honed her legal skills litigating cases in a variety of settings and representing clients in a variety of industries. Then, as the professional sports scene began to take hold in Southern Nevada, Curley finally had the opportunity to try his hand at sports law.
First, he did some work for clients of Snell & Wilmer, the lender involved in financing Allegiant Stadium. He then took a job as in-house counsel for Howard Hughes Corporation, a real estate development and management company that also owns the Las Vegas Aviators Triple-A baseball club and the team's home base, Las Vegas Ballpark, which opened in 2019. I got a job.
Curley was contacted in the spring of 2022 by Sandra Douglas Morgan, a colleague and alumnus of Boyd, who was considering an offer to become president of the Las Vegas Raiders while at The Hughes.
The two stayed in touch throughout her interview process, and shortly after Morgan accepted the position in July, the position of senior vice president and general counsel opened up within the organization. Mr. Morgan encouraged Mr. Curley to apply, which he did, and was hired in October 2022.
“This was the best experience and the best part of my legal career,” says Curley, who oversees the Raiders' legal department and advises each of the organization's business units. “I prioritize the efforts of the owner, president and general manager, but I am involved in almost every aspect of the business.”
Curley had to take a nearly 20-year detour to reach the executive ranks of a legendary NFL franchise, but he's remembered every place he stopped along the way and every law he was responsible for handling. issues, which he claims were essential to achieving his goals. This point.
His advice to current Boyd students, whether they want a career in sports law or any other legal field, is to “work hard, act with integrity, be flexible and open to change.” Give back and nurture your relationships, not because you are given the opportunity, but because it is the right thing to do and always give back.”
