The Samuel S. Lionel Externship Program celebrates the remarkable achievements of a distinguished legal mind whose impact on the field of law is both profound and enduring.
Samuel S. Lionel earned his law degree from St. John’s University at the age of 21. Sam then served in the military, earning five battle stars during WWII, and he worked in the Pentagon and as a JAG officer, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel. He also taught law at West Point, remembering that as being one of his favorite experiences. Sam loved to teach and throughout his career, he continued to mentor law students and attorneys alike, sharing his legal wisdom and practical advice throughout his eight decades of practicing law.
Sam moved to Las Vegas and passed the Nevada Bar in 1954. He partnered with former Nevada Governor Grant Sawyer and Nevada Supreme Court Justice Jon Collins to found the premier law firm Lionel Sawyer & Collins, a firm nationally recognized for representing gaming and hospitality clients for nearly 50 years. Sam’s career included a long and distinguished tenure with Nevada’s Board of Bar Examiners, where he served as a member and chairman, playing a significant role in the regulation of the legal profession in Nevada. Known as the unofficial Dean of the Nevada Bar, Sam retired from full-time practice in 2019 at the age of 100.
Sam was an unfaltering supporter of the Boyd School of Law since the school’s inception in 1998, receiving an Honorary Doctorate from UNLV in 2013. Referring to Boyd, Sam remarked in 2020, ”The law school has come a long way. We’re proud of it, and many of us remain dedicated to its future success.”
In 2021, Sam and his wife Lexy gifted $1 million to Boyd’s externship program to raise the profile and leadership role of the program while supporting students as they gain experience with attorneys and judges. Lexy added, “The Samuel S. Lionel Externship Program is designed to touch many lives and open opportunities for the students at the William S. Boyd School of Law. We hope our donation will make a difference for many generations to come.”
Sam recognized the impact of an immersive experiential experience, remembering what those opportunities represented early in his own career. We are honored to recognize Sam and Lexy Lionel for their philanthropic contribution to the externship program. Their incredible gift and dedication to our students will continue to positively impact the legal community throughout Nevada and beyond.
Meet our Externship Program Faculty and Staff
