From its inception in 1998, UNLV’s Boyd School of Law has committed itself to providing leadership on important issues of public policy, dispute resolution, the law, and legal practice. The vision of the Saltman Center mirrors the tripartite mission of the School of Law -- research, teaching, and public service – with the addition of a practice component that seeks to provide hands-on experiences to law students. In keeping with that mission, the Saltman Center aspires: (1) to stimulate scholarly research and exchanges on the nature of conflict and the methods for avoiding and resolving disputes; (2) to provide law students with a high level of professional training in the theory and practice of dispute resolution; and (3) to provide information and educational opportunities to facilitate the resolution of public and private sector disputes imbued with the public interest.

In pursuit of this vision, the Saltman Center hosts scholarly presentations and other special events devoted to such topics as theories of conflict, substantive analysis of specific conflicts that affect the public interest, and methods of conflict avoidance and resolution.  Past presenters have included distinguished dispute resolution scholars , as well as prominent practitioners. The Center  collaborates with the Nevada Law Journal, Boyd Law School’s academic journal, to publish a variety of articles, as well as conference and symposium proceedings, arising from these activities.

In conjunction with the Wiener-Rogers Law Library at the Boyd School of Law, the Saltman Center is developing what will become one of the premier collections of library materials devoted to conflict resolution. This diverse array of research materials is available for use by students, academics, legal practitioners, and the public.

As a matter of policy, the Center pursues opportunities to sponsor or co-sponsor continuing education programs and public forums on topics in conflict resolution that are of interest to the legal community and the larger community, including conflicts that arise in both the public and private sectors. These outreach programs include Continuing Legal Education programs that satisfy the requirements of the State Bar of Nevada and the bars of other states as well. In addition, the Center continues to undertake collaborative programs with other dispute resolution organizations at the local, regional, and national levels. Such collaborations enhance the effectiveness of the Saltman Center as well as its partner organizations.