Thriving Law School Celebrates Major Gift from Alumnus

The William S. Boyd School of Law is once again making history. Established in 1998 as Nevada’s law school, it achieved a new milestone this month when William T. Sykes became the first alumnus to establish an endowed program fund, along with his wife Brianne M. Sykes. 

The Sykes family has committed $50,000 through the UNLV Foundation to establish the Justice Michael L. Douglas PreLaw Endowment, and another $50,000 in matching funds next year to double the impact of donations. Endowed funds make a long-term impact, in perpetuity, which benefit more students over time. Donors to endowed funds help to ensure the stability of legal education. The family also provided $10,000 to support current programming while the endowment matures.

“We are very grateful to Will and Brianne for this impactful donation,” said Leah Chan Grinvald, Dean and Richard J. Morgan Professor of Law. “Their generosity will help the law school’s efforts to transform the educational landscape for future generations. It’s truly an honor to recognize their inspiring contribution to our community.”

The Sykes’ investment will support first-generation students in their journey to becoming legal professionals. Will, along with his team at the Claggett & Sykes law firm, has an esteemed track record with clients; he is also active in the State Bar of Nevada, as well as in legal education and mentorship. The firm has supported and encouraged many aspiring legal professionals.

Will clerked for Douglas, inspiring him to honor the revered justice through this endowment. “Justice Michael Douglas has led by example… for his entire career. He’s been a pillar of justice, not only for underrepresented groups and people of color, but for the entire state of Nevada,” Will Sykes said, at a recent gift announcement ceremony. “He has been a role model and a mentor for me and many others in our great state.”

Among Douglas’ many achievements, he was the first African American Supreme Court Justice in Nevada, appointed in 2004 and elected three times thereafter. He served as Chief Justice in 2011 and 2018. In his very active retirement, Justice Douglas has continued to serve the community and the pre-law program that bears his name.

The Justice Michael L. Douglas PreLaw Fellowship Program introduces high school and college students from diverse communities to the benefits of legal education and helps them navigate the law school admissions process. Since its founding in 2019, the program has enrolled 18 fellows in law school and witnessed its first Juris Doctor graduate, Emily Espinosa, pass the state Bar exam last summer. 

These achievements are a testament to the program’s effectiveness and the critical impact of generous donors. Such pipeline programs help first-generation students envision their future possibilities by exposing them to legal networks and helping them build writing and critical thinking skills. 

The Sykes’ generous gift is an investment that will allow the Justice Michael L. Douglas PreLaw Program to continue in perpetuity. The endowed fund will be recognized on the law school’s tribute wall.

“The Justice Douglas PreLaw Fellowship at the Boyd School of Law is an incredible program,” Sykes said. “My wife and I are honored to be in a position to help carry on the legacy of equal opportunity, diversity, equity, and inclusion.”