The Wheel for March 15, 2018
Listen to Christopher Lalli – Assistant District Attorney
The Wheel
Christopher Lalli – Assistant District Attorney
Christopher Lalli is a life-long resident of Las Vegas and a graduate of Bishop Gorman High School. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Minor in Philosophy from Loyola Marymount University in 1989. While at Loyola Marymount, he was elected President of the Student Body.
In 1994, Mr. Lalli received a Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles and was a recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award in Trial Advocacy. He became a member of both the Nevada Bar and the United States Bar for the District of Nevada that same year. He was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 2011.
Mr. Lalli joined the Office of the District Attorney in 1994. In 2001 he became a member of the Major Violators Unit and a capital case litigator. Mr. Lalli has lectured to members of law enforcement at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Academy, at the International Gaming Institute at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, at the National College of District Attorneys and at the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina. He has also presented at Trial Academy with the State Bar of Nevada.
Christopher has worked on numerous cases which resulted in published Nevada Supreme Court opinions. These cases include Weber v. State, 121 Nev. 554, 119 P.3d 107 (2005), Daniel v. State, 119 Nev. 498, 78 P.3d 890 (2005), and Byford v. State, 116 Nev. 215, 994 P.2d 700 (2000). In addition, he authored, “Protecting the Rights of Young Victims in Court,” Nevada Lawyer, October 2015.
Mr. Lalli sits on a number of professional boards and committees including the Nevada Supreme Court Indigent Defense Commission, the Nevada Supreme Court Video-Audio Conferencing Committee, the Southern Nevada Counter-Terrorism Center Board of Directors and the Nevada HIDTA Executive Board. He is a Representative to the Nevada State-Federal Judicial Council and is a Hearing Panel Chairman on the Southern Disciplinary Board of the State Bar of Nevada.
Christopher Lalli is an Assistant District Attorney in the Criminal Division, overseeing the Support Services Unit, the Financial Integrity Unit (which includes the Major Fraud, Elder Abuse, Bad Check and Grand Jury), Criminal Appeals and Recruiting and Training.
Message From The President
Dear Rotarians,
Our club is a strong supporter of the military. We participate in the annual Safety Officer Awards Recognition (SOAR) and our weekly speakers “gift” is to provide meals to homeless veterans. Most club members will agree that the military project that lies nearest to their hearts are the quarterly Wetzel awards.
Former member and Ret. Air Force Colonel Scotty Wetzel is the one who initially conceived the idea of recognizing the airmen and women at Nellis AFB. Each quarter, our club honors these deserving service members during a club meeting and provide them with a night on the town to enjoy with their significant other.
Since inception, this program has grown and now includes Creech AFB. Our club values family bonds and we are happy that the Wetzel awards continue to receive strong support from the Wetzel family – allowing the community an opportunity to see and hear from some of the most dedicated individuals serving in the military.
Through the efforts of PEE Jackie Thornhill, our club has the opportunity to receive grant funds from NV Energy through its “Power of Good” giveaway. Please vote for our club and help us provide more funding to the Wetzel awards program!
Michael Gordon
95th President
Rotary Club of Las Vegas
Member Highlights
Arleen Sirois was joined for lunch with her best friend Mary.
At the head table this week was Rob Telles, our speaker RJ Sampson, and his guest Elizabeth Millsaps.
Member Bill Houghton and his wife Jeni were recognized for their contributions to the club by President Michael.
PEE Jackie Thornhill led us in song.
PP Ginger Anderson gave the invocation.
PP Jim Hunt announced the Cigar event on Friday night at Tom and Jayne Krob’s home.
PP Jim Hunt won the Lawry Bucks.
PP Randy Donald announced a networking event at his home on March 29th.
PP Russell Swain was joined at lunch by his best friend Ryan Gagnon.
President Michael presented our speaker RJ Sampson of VR Kids with our “Share What You Can” award.
Rob Telles provided his Director’s report thanking many ambitious members.
Rosalee Hedrick and Janet Linder introduce our two new members Brian Sorrentino and Diane Clary.
The chance at the Pot was won by Walt Rullfes…He missed the joker.
Scribe – March 8, 2018
Las Vegas Rotary Club Meeting: March 8, 2018
- President Michael Gordon called the meeting to order. PP Ginger Anderson gave the invocation. PEE Jackie Thornhill led the club in singing the national anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Sergeant at Arms was Adam Hommey.
- There were (2) International Rotarian, (1) visiting Rotarians and (9) Guests of Rotarians introduced. President Michael introduced his guest at the head table, member Rob Telles.
- PEE Jackie Thornhill reminded the club of the “Power of Good” semi-finals voting that will run from March 12-16th. You can vote 1x/day.
- Jim Hunt provided an update that Carolyn Sparks is recovering well from back surgery and now is accepting visitors.
- Larry Rouse reminded the club of the Tiberti fellowship launch that can be achieved by a cumulative donation of $1,000 or more to the local foundation.
- President Michael reported that the club meeting recycling initiative begins today.
- Rob Telles provided director’s report and thanked members Bill Houghton for producing the Wheel, Stu Lipoff for creating and sending out the 5th Wheel, Sidra Kain for organizing speakers, historian PP Steve Linder, photographer PP Jim Tucker, Kirk Alexander for his representation of the club at the district and RI level, Kirk Holmes for the creation of new website and FB live streams, and Francesca Gilbert for her FB post management.
- Rosalee Hedrick inducted new members Brian Sorrentino and Diane Clary to the LV Rotary Club.
- Club watched RI’s video paying tribute to the diverse and eclectic nature of Rotary – and our club!
- PE Jim Kohl reminded the club of the April 15th Car Show.
- President Michael reminded the club to sign up for the 95th-anniversary party on April 5th
- PP Randy Donald announced a new vocational networking social event on March 29th at his home.
- David Squier reminded the club of the upcoming Highway Cleanup scheduled March 24th at 8 am across from Bonnie Springs with brunch to follow at Jerry Sennes’ home.
- Marie Walsh reminded members of the next Breakfast with Books on March 13th from 0745-0830.
- Chris Bennett reminded club that the March Madness tournament brackets at $50 per entry are due today; 50% of funds will go toward the LV Rotary Foundation.
- PP Jim Hunt reminded the club of the Cigar Fellowship to be held on March 16th; raffle prizes needed.
- PEE Jackie Thornhill reminded club of the 3 rd quarter Wetzel awards out at Nellis AFB today.
- President Michael fined Bill Houghton $95 for the ‘family-owned biz’ nomination he received for his business, Horizon Print Solutions. Additionally, Craig Miller was fined $95 for recent business success and finally PP Russ Swain was fined $95 for his 3x mention of business G.L.B. Insurance Group of Nevada.
- The drawing began at $1,045 plus this week’s donations. Ticket winner, Walt Rulffes, did not draw the joker received a $10 consolation prize. Lawry’s Bucks Winner was PP Jim Hunt.
- Kirk Holmes introduced our program speaker, R.J. Sampson, Founder & Executive Director of VR Kids a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides free therapeutic virtual reality to hospital-bound and mobility impaired children, teens, and young adults. These computer-stimulated environments consist of 3D images and sounds that provide immersive and interactive experiences unique to each users’ perception who might not otherwise experience. They have found therapeutic VR has led to a reduction in pain and anxiety, increased happiness/joy, improved their internal narrative, and had a positive impact on the whole family. Moved by his presentation, the club voted to give the income from the day’s raffle sales to VR Kids to buy teddy bears for the young patients.
- President Michael Gordon presented our speaker with a “Share What You Can” award to benefit a veteran in need and then adjourned the meeting.