Written By: Pat McDonnell 

Anyone in the legal profession will tell you — life in the courtroom can be tense, even intimidating. 

For recent Boyd Law grad Sondra Brower, serving as second chair during a felony jury trial turned that tension into confidence, sharpening her career goals and confirming her passion for criminal law. Brower was the 2024-2025 recipient of Boyd’s Emilie Wanderer Scholarship, named for Las Vegas’s first female attorney. 

Her law school journey was packed with diverse, hands-on experience: an externship with the Eighth Judicial District Court in Fall 2023, a summer

GGRM Law Firm has pledged $1 million to establish a scholarship endowment at the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, creating a transformative pathway for first responders transitioning into legal careers.

"First responders are deeply committed to public service and justice. We want to provide them with the opportunity to carry that commitment into the legal profession," said Toby Yurek, Managing Partner at GGRM. "This initiative is not just about financial support; it's about opening doors for leaders who have already proven their dedication to our communities

Preparing for the bar exam requires significant study time and dedication. The Bar Success Initiative, led by Professor Nachman Gutowski—Director of the Academic Success Program and Assistant Professor-in-Residence at the William S. Boyd School of Law—focuses on equipping students with the necessary skills to pass the bar exam, which is a requirement to become a practicing attorney. Professor Gutowski, a nationally recognized expert in student success and bar exam preparation, employs a data-driven and student-centered approach to enhance student success.

Private donations play a crucial role

In the photo above from left to right: Dr. Paul Janda, Monica Janda, Provost Chris Heavey, and Dean Leah Chan Grinvald.

Leah Chan Grinvald, the dean and Richard J. Morgan Professor at the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV, has announced the establishment of four new endowment funds created by alumni, totaling $311,000 in pledged contributions. “These generous contributions to establish endowment funds will create opportunities for future generations of Boyd Law students. Their donations exemplify the lasting impact of investing in educational opportunities.” Dean Grinvald stated.

Monica and

The 2023-2024 academic year marked the 25th anniversary of the William S. Boyd School of Law’s opening at Paradise Elementary School. The anniversary was marked with a night of celebration and tribute to our founders at the 25th Anniversary Gala held on December 2, 2023 at Resorts World Las Vegas. 

The event included music, dinner, dancing, remarks from: Hon. Philip Pro (Ret.), Professor Danielle Finn, Dean Leah Chan Grinvald, Sean Claggett (’03), Fireside Chat with Frank Durand, Hon. Jay Bybee, Oganna Brown (’01), Professor Nancy Rapoport, and Kathia Quiros-Medina (’03). 

Thank you to our

The William S. Boyd School of Law is once again making history. Established in 1998 as Nevada’s law school, it achieved a new milestone this month when William T. Sykes became the first alumnus to establish an endowed program fund, along with his wife, Brianne M. Sykes. 

The Sykes family has committed $50,000 through the UNLV Foundation to establish the Justice Michael L. Douglas PreLaw Endowment, and another $50,000 in matching funds next year to double the impact of donations. Endowed funds make a long-term impact, in perpetuity, which benefits more students over time. Donors to endowed

Led by president Amanda Stevens, the UNLV Boyd Law Alumni Chapter welcomes back annual golf tournament to fund scholarships

Launched by two notable Nevadans, the Center for Law and Leadership touts the benefits of legal careers in the public sphere

Local law firm Sam & Ash establishes scholarship to assist students who have workplace experience

A historic donation from the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation to the Boyd School of Law strives to increase understanding, promote education about tribal gaming