Alumni of the William S. Boyd School of Law Strengthen Support for Scholarships and Facilities
In the photo above from left to right: Dr. Paul Janda, Monica Janda, Provost Chris Heavey, and Dean Leah Chan Grinvald.
Leah Chan Grinvald, the dean and Richard J. Morgan Professor at the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV, has announced the establishment of four new endowment funds created by alumni, totaling $311,000 in pledged contributions. “These generous contributions to establish endowment funds will create opportunities for future generations of Boyd Law students. Their donations exemplify the lasting impact of investing in educational opportunities.” Dean Grinvald stated.
Monica and Paul Janda, proud graduates of the William S. Boyd School of Law, Class of 2016, have pledged $200,000 to name the Janda Family Student Lounge. This contribution will support the refurbishment and maintenance of the student lounge, which is vital in fostering a sense of belonging among students. The lounge provides a space for academic and personal support, where students can form lasting friendships. Additionally, it serves as a venue for club meetings and leadership activities and plays a key role in recruitment and law school tours.
Dr. Paul Janda is a board-certified neurologist and the CEO of the Las Vegas Neurology Center. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine and Touro University Nevada College of Medicine, and he is a member of several medical advisory boards.
Monica Janda is a first-generation college and law student raised with the values of honesty and hard work. She observed her Hispanic immigrant parents diligently working to improve their family’s life. Together with Dr. Janda, she operates the Janda Law Firm, where they assist clients in the community with personal injury cases. Notably, Dr. Janda is the first and only neurologist-attorney practicing in Nevada.
Jenny Lee, a founding attorney and graduate of the class of 2012, has established the Jenny Legal Endowed Scholarship with a pledge of $50,000. Her contribution also includes a $1,000 donation to the campus food pantry. Jenny is a proud triple alumna of UNLV, having earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the William S. Boyd School of Law, a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from the Lee Business School, and her Bachelor’s degree from UNLV in 2008. As a member of the Latin Chamber of Commerce and the Asian Bar Association, Jenny takes pride in her dual role as an entrepreneur and attorney. She is committed to mentoring students and supporting the community through her law firm, Jenny Legal, which specializing in workers’ compensation law.
Jessica and Jim Murphy have established the Murphy Family Endowed Scholarship with a pledge of $30,000 to support first-generation students from Nevada who wish to attend the Boyd School of Law. Jessica and Jim met during their first year of law school in 2000 when the Boyd School of Law was temporarily located in Paradise Elementary School. Both have enjoyed successful legal careers and have generously contributed to their community. Jim is a partner at Claggett & Sykes Law Firm, and Jessica recently retired from her position in the Clark County Public Defender’s office. They are proud parents of three children and avid supporters of Rebel football, holding season tickets for over 20 years. Jessica and Jim have also mentored students at the Boyd School of Law for two decades.
Adrian Karimi established the Adrian Karimi Endowed Scholarship with a gift of $30,000 to support first-generation students pursuing a legal education. At the age of five, Adrian immigrated to the United States with his mother and grew up in Los Angeles, California. He attended UCLA before relocating to Las Vegas to attend the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV.
During law school, Adrian gained valuable experience working as a judicial extern for the Honorable Justice Pickering of the Nevada Supreme Court and for the Honorable Judge Abbi Silver of the Eighth Judicial District Court in Clark County, Nevada. After graduating from Boyd Law in 2014, he began his legal career as a Judicial Law Clerk for Judge Silver. Throughout his experiences in both the courts and private practice, Adrian discovered his passion for representing individuals, drawing inspiration from their stories of personal struggles and achievements.
“The personal journeys and commitments of these donors to their community inspire us all. We are so thankful for their dedication and investment in the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV - a true gem of the campus and the entire State of Nevada” stated Dr. Bo Bernhard, interim Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement and interim President of the UNLV Foundation.