Snell & Wilmer Attorney Drake E. Leifried Appointed to The Justice Michael L. Douglas Prelaw Fellowship Advisory Board

LAS VEGAS (July 21, 2023) – Snell & Wilmer is pleased to announce that Associate Drake E. Leifried has been appointed to The Justice Michael L. Douglas PreLaw Fellowship Advisory Board. Leifried succeeds Partner John S. Delikanakis, who has served on the Advisory Board since the program’s inception in April 2019.

“As the first person in my family to pursue a legal career, I am well aware of the challenges faced by first-generation attorneys,” said Leifried. “I was fortunate to receive ample guidance and support from my peers and mentors along the way, and I am extremely grateful for their help. I look forward to passing on their advice and serving the future cohorts of Justice Michael L. Douglas PreLaw Fellows as they embark upon their own journey within the law.”

Established by the UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law and named after the first African American Supreme Court Justice in Nevada’s history, the goal of the Justice Michael L. Douglas PreLaw Fellowship Program is to introduce students from underrepresented communities to the rigors of law school and the benefits of having a legal education, as well as to ensure they have essential information to help them navigate the law school admission process.

The Justice Michael L. Douglas PreLaw Fellowship Program offers undergraduate students one week of simulated law school classes in criminal law, legal writing, legal analysis, and LSAT preparation. Fellows gain insight on best practices for applying and succeeding in law school. This in-residence program supports first-generation and diverse students interested in law school by providing information and resources on the application process and the information they need to be best prepared for law school.

“I am happy to see Drake serve on the Douglas Fellowship Advisory Board,” said Delikanakis. “It’s time to pass the baton. His work will continue Snell & Wilmer’s demonstrated commitment to encouraging diversity in the legal community for the good of the profession and our democracy.”

Leifried is an associate in the firm’s commercial litigation practice group. He regularly represents clients across a variety of complex disputes, including class actions, product liability, contract disputes, government investigations, securities litigation, employment law, privacy law, fraud and civil RICO, financial services, and telecommunication carrier disputes. He is licensed to practice in Nevada and Texas. Prior to joining Snell & Wilmer, Leifried was an associate at Sidley Austin, LLP in Dallas. He received his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and his B.S. in physiology from the University of Arizona.