Access in Action: Boyd Law's Rural Initiative
Many rural areas in Nevada face a shortage of legal professionals, creating "legal deserts" where residents have limited access to legal services. The William S. Boyd School of Law is working to close this gap through innovative programs that prepare and support students to work as externs in underserved communities.
Each summer, the Samuel S. Lionel Externship Program provides opportunities for students to work in judicial chambers and public defense and prosecuting offices in rural communities across Nevada. These externs are named Lionel Fellows and are eligible to receive a $5,000 summer scholarship through the Externship Program. Students externing in rural public defense offices may also qualify for a $6,500 stipend (for rising second-year students) or a $10,500 stipend (for rising third-year students) from the Nevada Department of Indigent Defense Services to help cover relocation and living expenses for the semester.
Boyd complements these opportunities with a curriculum focused on rural and tribal legal issues, faculty engagement, mentorship pipelines, and a task force dedicated to expanding access to legal education statewide.
- Carson City District Attorney
- Carson City Public Defender
- Churchill County Public Defender
- Douglas County District Attorney
- Elko County Public Defender
- Lincoln County District Attorney
- Nevada State Public Defender
- Nye County District Attorney
- Seventh Judicial District Court
Student Spotlights
Dionne Stanfill ('26)
Elko County Public Defender's Office (Summer '24)
This placement gave me real perspective. I saw the impact of public defense work, the urgent need in rural Nevada, and I built connections that will last for years to come. I learned about the legal desert that exists in Nevada's rural communities. I can confidently say I gained more hands-on experience at this rural office than I would have in an urban county like Clark or Washoe. The office needed help, and that meant I was involved in many different kinds of cases. In a larger setting, I might have only worked on one small piece of the process. I learned everything from office management to how to draft a writ to the Supreme Court. I met with clients in jail and with children in the juvenile system. I learned a lifetime of lawyering in just one summer.
Kelsey Lamph ('23)
Nevada State Public Defender's Office (Summer '23)
I got to learn a lot about how the criminal justice system works in our small rural counties. This was especially interesting since small town relationships play into the system more than you would expect. My mentor and I worked really hard to get some of our clients out of custody that were being detained in violation of Valdez-Jimenez. I am clerking after graduation for a judge with a criminal docket. I am excited to view it from the perspective of a judge starting in the fall of 2024.
Field Supervisor Spotlights
Jason Gunnell & Sondra Brower
Jason Gunnell, Senior District Attorney for Nye County, mentored Boyd Law student, Sondra Brower ('25) during her Fall 2024 externship with the Nye County District Attorney's Office. Throughout the semester, Brower gained hands-on legal experience under Gunnell's guidance- drafting motions, observing courtroom proceedings, and engaging in trial preparation- and ultimately served as second chair in a felony jury trial.
Gunnell shared, "This is a fantastic opportunity for Sondra to gain invaluable real-world experience in the courtroom. It is a testament to Sondra’s abilities and dedication. I believe it showcases the commitment of both the Boyd School of Law and the Nye County District Attorney’s Office to providing practical learning experiences. Sondra was eager to take on this challenge during her winter break. This speaks volumes about her work ethic and enthusiasm for the legal profession."