Kelsey Lauren Bernstein

After graduating in the top 1% of her high school, Kelsey Bernstein received a full scholarship to Boise State University, where she graduated with highest honors and was ranked #1 after completing her 4-year degree in just 3 years. While a student, she worked as a laboratory assistant for the advanced Biology program and as an assistant to the Vice Provost of the University, where she pioneered a tuition assistance program for students entering into STEM fields. In only her second year, Ms. Bernstein was also recruited to be a paid university tutor for the advanced Logic and Syllogism courses offered to upper level students. For her Honor’s Thesis, she drafted an original 75-page multiple regression analysis to determine the existence of a correlation between systems of government and freedom of the press.

After graduation, Ms. Bernstein was subsequently offered a full scholarship to the William S. Boyd School of Law in Las Vegas. She was invited to participate in the Nevada Law Journal in her second year and graduated with honors in 2015.

While in law school, Ms. Bernstein developed an interest in criminal appellate work, finding appellate law to be a unique blend of intellectualism, creativity and real-world practicality. After obtaining her license to practice law, she went on to write and win multiple appeals to the Nevada Supreme Court and Nevada Court of Appeals. Before her third year of practice, she won an appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and successfully overturned a murder conviction after a 60-witness federal trial. She also recently won another murder appeal in the Nevada Supreme Court which overturned a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Kelsey then established Nevada Appeal Group, a law firm dedicated to legal writing, appeals, and post-conviction relief. She has quickly become the de facto consultant for other attorneys with unique appeal and post-conviction projects, who often approach her for advice on topics ranging from proper appellate procedure to presenting novel legal issues. Ms. Bernstein is also regularly hired by other attorneys to draft motions and appeals on behalf of their clients, especially when there are unique legal questions presented.

In 2018, Nevada Appeal Group was acquired by Nevada Defense Group. In 2020, Ms. Bernstein was made a full partner at Nevada Defense Group, where she continues to provide intelligent and zealous advocacy in both criminal and appellate law.