Michael Stannard grew up in Winnemucca, Nevada, before moving to Reno to study Political Science and History at University of Nevada. After graduating, Michael spent a year working as a lobbyist for issues regarding taxation, solar energy, and medical marijuana. He then moved to Las Vegas where he received his Juris Doctor from the William S. Boyd School of Law in 2017. 

During law school, Michael developed an interest in family law, mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Once in practice, Michael used the skills he learned from Boyd to practice predominantly in family law, including cases that featured high income and/or high levels of conflict between the parties. To further his interest in mediation and alternative dispute resolution, Michael continued to volunteer with the Boyd Mediation Clinic and is a mediator for the Nevada’s Statewide Juvenile Dependency Mediation Program. 

As part of his duties as the Saltman Graduate Fellow Michael supervises students who practice under his license as part of the Mediation Clinic and Mediation Practicum. Michael also coaches Boyd’s ABA Client Counseling and Negotiation Teams, competitions that Michael participated in while he was a student a Boyd. Michael is also the supervising attorney for the Tenants’ Rights Legal Residency Program, a joint venture between Boyd and the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada. 

Outside of his legal interests Michael enjoys planning trips and traveling with his wife, Misha Ray, who is also an attorney. Michael also passionately enjoys studying history, listening to music, rooting for the Yankees, following Formula 1, and spoiling his two (2) cats.