Celebrating Over 75 Years of Serving Nevada’s Legal, Business, Government, and Civic Communities
Karyna Armstrong Receives Women Inspiring Nevada Award
McDonald Carano congratulates Karyna Armstrong on being selected to Vegas Inc.’s 2025 list of Women Inspiring Nevada. The annual Women Inspiring Nevada awards recognize women who “lead and influence Southern Nevada. These women are visionaries and pioneers in their respective industries, and they exemplify the best in leadership, philanthropic efforts and mentorship within our community.” Karyna is one of 10 women selected to receive this prestigious honor to celebrate “extraordinary women changing Nevada for the better through significant contributions to both their organizations and in Nevada.”
The Women Inspiring Nevada honorees are featured in the September 25 issue of Las Vegas Weekly. Karyna’s recognition is here on page 22 and pictured below. The complete award interview with Karyna is also provided below.
Q&A Interview
- What does it mean to you to be a woman in your field of work and what advice would you give young women just entering the workforce?
My advice to young women entering the workforce in any profession is to stay true to who you are. There will always be people with opinions (sometimes loud ones), but don’t let that noise knock you off course. You’ve got big goals, and you don’t need anyone’s permission to go after them. You belong in every room you walk into. Making an impact is about showing up, pushing through the tough stuff, and creating change where it matters. That takes guts, grit, and a whole lot of heart. Know what you believe in. Own your voice. Be protective about your values. Stay centered, focused, and grounded in your why, even when the path becomes uncertain or difficult. And one more thing: when you’re out there living your purpose, don’t forget to include you in the picture. Take care of yourself while you are helping others.
- What are your goals for the future?
On the personal side, I recently got engaged (cuehappy dancing!), and I’m stepping into a brand new chapter of life filled with fresh perspectives, new experiences, and the adventure of building a family. It’s exciting, a little wild, and incredibly meaningful. On the professional side, I’m honored to be featured in the July 2025 Nevada Lawyer magazine as part of their “Nevada Trailblazers” column – truly a full-circle moment! My professional goal has always been to keep paving the way, making meaningful impact, and opening doors for the next generation of trailblazers. After earning my Master’s in Public Administration, I immediately took on law school, added an extra course load, and graduated early. I passed the bar and officially launched my legal career in May 2022. So, in many ways, my journey is just getting started! Looking ahead, my life goal is simple: follow my parents’ advice –celebrate how far you’ve come, and then keep going.
- What organizations do you support and why? Why do you think it’s important to be an active member of the community?
I stay busy outside of work. I serve on the Board of Directors for Family 2 Family Connection, volunteer as a pro bono attorney for the Children’s Attorneys Project at the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, and help as a reader during Nevada Reading Week (story time with children is important business!). I’m passionate about these causes because kids and families are the heart of our future and supporting them now makes all the difference later. Being an active part of the community is more than a good thing to do; it’s also the best way to stay connected to what people really need. At the end of the day, we can’t create change from the sidelines. When we show up, get involved, and show we care, we’re not just helping – we’re giving people hope. And that’s powerful!
- What is one of your proudest career achievements?
As a litigation attorney, some of the most rewarding moments are the big wins – when a judge agrees with your argument, when your team clicks perfectly, and when you deliver results for your clients. Those are incredible. But what I’m also most proud of reaches beyond the courtroom. I get great satisfaction from helping to shape and strengthen the legal profession itself. I serve as Vice-Chair of my firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee and am on the Executive Board of the Las Vegas chapter of the National Bar Association (LVNBA), the largest organization of Black legal professionals. These roles come with big responsibilities and big opportunities to push for meaningful progress. Two standout moments for me? My firm receiving the State Bar of Nevada’s very first Partner in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion medallion, and the LVNBA steadily growing both the number and size of its scholarships for law students. Helping to move the needle on an inclusive culture and equitable representation in law? That’s the kind of career achievement that has meaningful and lasting impact.
- Tell us a little about your personal background and interests.
I was born in Las Vegas and moved to Reno when I was young, where I quickly developed a reputation as a bit of an overachiever in academics, athletics, student leadership… I was all in. In high school, I served as class president all four years and had the honor of delivering the graduation speech. On the athletic side, I competed in track and field, becoming a back-to-back regional champion in both shot put and discus, which landed me a spot in the McQueen High School Athletics Hall of Fame. I took that energy with me to college, earning a double major in Criminal Justice and Political Science & Government from Boise State University while competing in hammer and weight throw on the Division I track and field team. I then earned a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Miami, where I continued to compete and helped the team win the 2017 ACC Women’s Indoor Track and Field Championship. Next stop: law school. I earned my J.D. from the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV. Before starting law school, I worked as a substitute teacher in the Clark County School District while studying for the LSAT. During law school, I stayed active in leadership roles including treasurer and LVNBA liaison for the Black Law Students Association, secretary of the Sports and Entertainment Law Association, executive secretary and events committee member for the Student Bar Association, and a member of the Policy and Legislation Society – and, yes, I gave the graduation speech again! I also had the incredible opportunity to clerk for Judge James Mahan in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada.
Today, I’m proud to be a litigation attorney in the Las Vegas office of McDonald Carano LLP, where I serve as Vice-Chair of our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. I also serve on the Executive Board of the Las Vegas chapter of the National Bar Association and the Board of Directors for Family 2 Family Connection. When I’m not in the courtroom or at community events, you can find me reading romantic comedies, practicing Pilates, traveling, hanging out with my two fur babies, and currently planning a wedding!!
- Why did you choose the industry and career you are in?
I chose to become an attorney because I wanted a career where I could help right the wrongs that people and businesses experience every day. I want to help in real and tangible ways; I want to make things better. And it’s the perfect career for someone who doesn’t shy away from a challenge. I love that the law keeps you on your toes. There’s always something new to learn, a fresh different perspective to consider, or a tricky problem to solve. It’s like the ultimate lifelong learning experience with the added bonus of making a real impact in people’s lives. Plus, I get to use my voice to advocate, uplift, and create change – that’s exactly the kind of work that keeps me inspired every day.
About McDonald Carano
In 2024, McDonald Carano celebrated its 75ᵗʰ Anniversary of serving Nevada’s legal, business, government, and civic communities. More than 60 lawyers and government affairs professionals serve Nevada, national, and international clients from our offices in Reno, Las Vegas, and Carson City. McDonald Carano provides transactional, litigation, regulatory, and government affairs services to startups, corporations, private companies, trade associations, nonprofits, public entities, high-net-worth individuals, and family offices throughout Nevada. We are deeply committed to supporting local communities by volunteering our time, resources, and services, including pro bono legal services, to nonprofit organizations, charitable foundations, and public service entities. We are proud to be your Nevada law firm since 1949.
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