Meet Silvia Villanueva

Growing up in east Las Vegas, Silvia Villanueva (’14) learned the importance of advocating for her own educational opportunities and speaking up for her family’s lack of access to quality legal guidance and business advice. She saw law school as an opportunity to learn the skills and gain access to not only speak on her behalf, but also on behalf of others in need.

Despite limited financial assistance, Villanueva self-financed her studies by working multiple jobs. She chose Boyd Law because it allowed her to live with friends and family and stay close to her support system. “I don’t think I would have been able to go to law school if I had to leave the
state,” she says.

While a student at Boyd, Villanueva was involved with the financial law society, Organization of Women Law Students and La Voz. She also completed an externship in Carson City for the 2013 Legislative Session. Villanueva’s legislative externship allowed her to receive law school credits while simultaneously getting professional work experience, and it ultimately led to her first job out of law school.

Villanueva said making relationships was the biggest lesson she took away from law school. “The academic part of law school is super important, but so are the relationships you build along the way,” she says. “It was something I heard all the time while in law school, and it holds true. Your classmates will one day be colleagues, judges, mediators, lawmakers, opposing counsel, partners, friends, and sounding boards.”

She urges prospective students to try new things and get outside their comfort zone in law school. “Don’t be afraid to step outside your own expectations for yourself and expose yourself to ideas, resources, and experiences that don’t necessarily align with your ‘plan.’ That includes taking advantage of the resources available to you that may make you uncomfortable.”