MEET THE ATTORNEYS

Cristina Hinds received her undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1995.  During her political science studies, she spent a semester in Washington DC interning for Senator Richard Bryan while studying the legislative process.

She later attended the University of San Diego School of Law and received several first place awards for Moot Court competitions.  Cristina also spent her a summer during law school as an extern at the Nevada Supreme Court.  At the Court, she read briefs, researched opinions, and drafted recommendations for the Justices.  All recommendations she prepared were unanimously accepted. 

The next summer, Cristina interned at the Clark County District Attorney’s Office for District Attorney Stewart Bell.  She worked exclusively in the Appellate Division preparing briefs and responding to motions for credit for time served and post-conviction petitions for writ of habeas corpus for the State of Nevada.

After graduation from law school, Cristina returned to Las Vegas and the District Attorney’s Office.  Cristina performed more intensive research and writing.  Additionally, she assisted the Bad Check Diversion Unit, and among other duties, drafted legislation which was later enacted into State law.  Cristina also argued an appeal on behalf of the State before the Nevada Supreme Court.

After approximately two years, Cristina left the DA’s Office to start her own law firm.  She used her experience gained at the District Attorney’s Office to operate a successful criminal defense practice.  In addition to handling City and State misdemeanor and felony criminal defense, Cristina’s extensive writing experience earned her countless appointments from various courts to assist with researching and drafting post-conviction remedies and appeals for defendants.

As a solo practitioner, Cristina also appeared before the Nevada Pardon’s Board on behalf of a woman who, 13 years prior, had been convicted of first degree murder with use of a deadly weapon.  While preparing the case, Cristina discovered that her client had a defense that was never explored or presented at trial by her former attorney.  She successfully argued that the defense would have made a difference in the outcome of the trial.  She persuaded all members of the Board to grant her client relief in a unanimous decision.  Her client was released from prison shortly thereafter.

In addition to criminal defense, Cristina has practiced other areas of law, including family law, real estate, and contracts.  For four years, she was the only Town Attorney for the Town of Pahrump, Nevada.  There, she reviewed contracts, drafted ordinances, and advised and made recommendations to the Town Board.  Cristina also represented the Town in multi million dollar contract negotiations with the International Association of Firefighter and the local union.  Further, Cristina was responsible for reviewing the Town’s contract for solid waste disposal, renegotiating the contract, and implementing a franchise fee which resulted in the Town receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars.