Spring in Session: Student Externs at the Heart of Nevada Lawmaking
Legislative externships are offered every two years during the spring semester when the Nevada Legislature is in session. Most legislative externs relocate to Carson City, the capital city of Nevada, for the entirety of the Legislative Session (mid-January to the beginning of June). Students are fully immersed in the legislative process - attending and monitoring hearings, committee meetings, and floor sessions; researching, reviewing, and analyzing proposed legislation; tracking bills, drafting legislative proposals, amendments, and public hearing testimony; and learning to advocate publicly and privately.
- ACLU of Nevada
- Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
- Carrara Nevada
- Clark County District Attorney
- Clark County Public Defender
- Clark County School District Government Relations
- Department of Indigent Defense
- Ferrari Reeder
- Holland and Hart
- Lewis Roca
- Nevada Coalition of Legal Service Providers
- Nevada Department of Business and Industry
- Nevada Hispanic Legislative Caucus
- Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau
- Nevada Mining Association
- Nevada Office of the Governor, Office of the General Counsel
- Regional Transportation Commission
- Rowe Law Group
- Strategies 360
- UNLV Government & Community Engagement
Extern Spotlights
Drianna Dimatulac ('26)
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck (Spring '25)
I enjoyed the vibrant culture of the Nevada Legislature and learned the value of fully immersing yourself in every aspect of an experience. An externship is largely what you make of it, and I was intentional about making the most of every opportunity the Brownstein team gave me. I gained a deep understanding of the legislative process through my substantive work, and I also pushed myself beyond my comfort zone—learning about unfamiliar policy areas, building meaningful relationships, and actively participating in networking events. By the end of my externship, I felt I had truly made the most of my time in Carson City, had no regrets about how I spent it, and was incredibly grateful to be part of such a supportive and dynamic team.
Jacob M. Ginsburg ('26)
UNLV Office of Government & Community Engagement (Spring ‘25)
My externship with the UNLV GCE was immersive and instructive, providing a comprehensive opportunity to learn about and engage with the legislative process. Through my experience, I've been able to develop an intimate familiarity with the nuances and contours of creating law, both in general and in Nevada. More broadly, through observation of the many legislative sessions involving the wide spectrum of administrative concerns in Nevada, I've also attained an improved understanding of the considerations of governance at the state level. Now much more familiar with the legislative process in Nevada, and adjacent functions, I've been able to identify legislative roles and opportunities in which I can envision myself thriving as a legal professional. I've also found strong application to my concurrent interest in working in appellate practice, which so frequently involves the exercise of statutory interpretation--a concept I now understand more profoundly.
Grace Michaelson ('26)
Ferrari Reeder Public Affairs (Spring '25)
In a state this small, reputation matters, and people remember how you treat them. I gained a deeper appreciation for preparation, organization, and the power of being someone others can rely on in a busy, high-stakes environment like the legislature. My experience in Carson will stick with me for years to come. It reminded me how many people in Nevada genuinely care about making the state better, and how important it is to stay connected to that kind of work.
Jordyn Griffin ('25)
Rowe Law Group (Spring '25)
During my time at the legislature, I had the opportunity to meet a wide range of professionals from lawmakers and policy experts to advocates and community leaders which helped me build meaningful connections and broaden my perspective. I also gained an understanding of lobbying that will enhance my ability to assist clients in navigating complex policy issues. Most importantly, I developed a deeper appreciation for how our government functions and how laws are made, amended, and passed. The knowledge I have obtained through this externship is essential for anyone working in law, advocacy, or public service.