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 was born in New York on April 7, 1919, and earned a law degree from St. John’s University. In his early career, Lionel discovered the value of teaching during WWII, where he served in the Army and taught law at West Point. Alongside the former Governor of Nevada Grant Sawyer, he founded the premier law firm Lionel Sawyer & Collins in 1967. Their firm was nationally recognized for representing major Strip developers and gaming clients. He also served on the board of trustees of Nathan Adelson Hospice, a non-profit hospice dedicated to offering end-of-life care to the people of Southern Nevada. For over 30 years, Lionel served as chairman at the Board of Bar Examiner of Nevada and was known as “Dean of the Nevada Bar”. Sam retired in 2019 with an impressive eight decades of law practice. He was 100 years old.
Sam and his wife, Lexy Lionel, remained active members and provided ongoing support of the UNLV community. The Lionels gifted $1 million towards the Externship Program for enhancements and scholarship funding. Lexi Lionel mirthfully acknowledges “The Samuel S. Lionel Externship Program is designed to touch many lives and open opportunities for the students at UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law. We hope our donation will make a difference for many generations to come”.
Sam Lionel recognized the impact of an immersive externship experience, remembering what the enrichment opportunity represented in his own early career. We are honored to recognize Samuel S. Lionel for his philanthropic contributions and brilliant legal acumen. His dedication has set forth a higher standard for excellence in the legal profession and has become an inspiration for the next generation of lawyers.
Externship Program Faculty
Current program facilitators.
