Yadira Santana – Supervising Attorney

Yadira Santana is a Supervising Attorney at Gastelum Attorneys, where she represents clients in divorce, child custody, child support, guardianship, and appellate family law matters throughout Clark County, Nevada.

A first-generation Mexican-American, Yadira was born in Glendora, California, and moved to Las Vegas at the age of 3. She was the first in her family to attend college, a milestone that shaped her passion for advocating for others.

Education and Academic Excellence

Yadira earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, majoring in English Literature with a minor in Philosophy, Law, and Ethics. During her undergraduate studies, she studied abroad in Israel, where she took a class on refugee mental health—an experience that deepened her commitment to serving vulnerable communities.

She began law school at California Western School of Law in San Diego, where she finished her first year in the top 5% of her class and earned a full-ride scholarship. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Yadira transferred to the William S. Boyd School of Law in Las Vegas to be closer to her family.

Law School Leadership and Recognition

At Boyd School of Law, Yadira demonstrated exceptional leadership as an executive board member of:

• La Voz — Boyd’s Latinx Student Organization
• Organization of Women Law Students (OWLS)
• Black Law Students Association (BLSA) — Member

During her final year, Yadira was selected to travel to Washington, D.C., to support Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson during the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearings. Thanks to Nevada Senators Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto, she was granted access inside the Senate to witness the historic televised hearings in person.

Yadira completed a judicial externship in the Eighth Judicial District Court with the Honorable Margaret Pickard. Her outstanding work earned her the Clinical Legal Education Association Externship Award at Boyd’s 2022 Commencement Ceremony.

Legal Experience

After graduating from Boyd School of Law, Yadira served as a law clerk in the Eighth Judicial District Court with the Honorable Robert Teuton, who oversees a specialized dependency calendar. This experience gave her valuable insight into family court proceedings and child welfare matters.

At Gastelum Attorneys, Yadira has been involved in numerous Nevada appellate matters, including:

• Alimony and spousal support disputes
• Child custody — legal and physical custody issues
• Child support modifications and enforcement
• Third-party custody rights
• Guardianship cases
• Jurisdictional issues in family law

Her appellate experience makes her a valuable asset for clients facing complex legal challenges that require thorough legal research and persuasive written advocacy.

Personal Life

When she’s not working, Yadira enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants and coffee shops, and spending time with her cat. She loves stepping outside her comfort zone and trying new experiences.

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Licensure

• Nevada State Bar

Education

• J.D., William S. Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• B.A., English Literature, University of Nevada, Reno

Awards and Recognition

• Clinical Legal Education Association Externship Award (2022)
• Top 5% of Class — California Western School of Law (1L Year)
• Full-Ride Scholarship Recipient

New Beginnings, Brighter Tomorrows