From Dean Dan - April 23, 2021

UNLV Boyd students have the opportunity to participate in the law school's Legislative Externship Program and Legislative Policy Course when our legislature meets every other year. This program lets our students become immersed in the legislative process as legislative externs with law firms and public interest and government placements. Although the session has been virtual for most of the semester, 13 Boyd students have been hard at work researching public policy issues and legislative history, tracking bills, participating in strategy meetings, drafting proposed legislation, attending committee meetings and floor hearings, providing testimony, and interacting with members of the Nevada Legislature. We are grateful to the following partners who are hosting our students this session:

American Civil Liberties Union, Carrara Nevada, Clark County School District, the Governor’s Office, Greenberg Traurig, Nevada Coalition of Legal Service Providers (Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada & Washoe Legal Services), Nevada Mining Association, Rowe Law Group, Senator Dallas Harris, and Strategies 360.

My thanks to adjunct professors Sam McMullen and Erin McMullen Midby, two of the most respected lobbyists in the state, for once again teaching Legislative Policy, a special topics companion course for legislative externs. This interactive simulation course helps the legislative process come alive for students by immersing them in a simulated government affairs practice to learn about the legislative process and statutory interpretation, develop drafting and advocacy skills, and explore the professional and ethical challenges that arise for participants in the legislative process. My gratitude to Dawn Nielsen, Director of Externships, for her work on behalf of our students, our community partners, and the law school.

I would also like to congratulate UNLV Boyd alumna Brittnie Watkins who has been appointed to the Nevada Gaming Control Board by Governor Sisolak. Brittnie is not only a graduate of our JD program but also Boyd’s LL.M. in Gaming Law and Regulation. She replaces another Boyd alum, Terry Johnson, whose term ended this month. My thanks to both of these graduates for their service to our state.  

Be well,

Dan
Dean & Richard J. Morgan Professor of Law
daniel.hamilton@unlv.edu