Building on their historic commitment to legal education in Nevada, alumnus William T. Sykes and his wife, Brianne M. Sykes, have announced an additional $50,000 gift to support the Justice Michael L. Douglas Pre-Law Fellowship Program at the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV.

This latest contribution expands on the family’s landmark donation, which marked the first time an alumnus established an endowed program fund at the law school. The new funding will strengthen the Justice Michael L. Douglas Pre-Law Endowment and provide matching funds, effectively supercharging the program’s

The Young Lawyers Section (YLS) of the State Bar of Nevada has launched a new endowed scholarship at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

The Indian Nations Gaming and Governance (INGG) Program at the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV, in partnership with the Tribal Leadership Council, is proud to announce the establishment of the Tribal Leadership Council Endowment. This landmark gift represents the first endowed scholarship established by a Native American non-profit organization in the law school’s history.

The scholarship will be awarded to Tribal citizens of federally recognized Tribes who are pursuing a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree at the Boyd School of Law and participating in the INGG Program. The first scholarship will

The William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV has announced a transformational $300,000 gift from alumni Sean Claggett (B.A. ’00, J.D. ’03) and Louella (“Lou”) Claggett (B.A. ’00). Pledged through the Sean and Lou Claggett Charitable Foundation, this donation sets a new record as the law school's largest gift from an individual law alumnus and his family, and establishes the Claggett Family Endowed Scholarship.

Combining both endowed and immediate-use funds, the new scholarship is specifically designed to support students with a strong connection to the Las Vegas community. The first scholarship

Written By: Pat McDonnell 

Anyone in the legal profession will tell you — life in the courtroom can be tense, even intimidating. 

For recent Boyd Law grad Sondra Brower, serving as second chair during a felony jury trial turned that tension into confidence, sharpening her career goals and confirming her passion for criminal law. Brower was the 2024-2025 recipient of Boyd’s Emilie Wanderer Scholarship, named for Las Vegas’s first female attorney. 

Her law school journey was packed with diverse, hands-on experience: an externship with the Eighth Judicial District Court in Fall 2023, a summer

GGRM Law Firm has pledged $1 million to establish a scholarship endowment at the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, creating a transformative pathway for first responders transitioning into legal careers.

"First responders are deeply committed to public service and justice. We want to provide them with the opportunity to carry that commitment into the legal profession," said Toby Yurek, Managing Partner at GGRM. "This initiative is not just about financial support; it's about opening doors for leaders who have already proven their dedication to our communities

Preparing for the bar exam requires significant study time and dedication. The Bar Success Initiative, led by Professor Nachman Gutowski—Director of the Academic Success Program and Assistant Professor-in-Residence at the William S. Boyd School of Law—focuses on equipping students with the necessary skills to pass the bar exam, which is a requirement to become a practicing attorney. Professor Gutowski, a nationally recognized expert in student success and bar exam preparation, employs a data-driven and student-centered approach to enhance student success.

Private donations play a crucial role

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

The 2023-2024 academic year marked the 25th anniversary of the William S. Boyd School of Law’s opening at Paradise Elementary School. The anniversary was marked with a night of celebration and tribute to our founders at the 25th Anniversary Gala held on December 2, 2023 at Resorts World Las Vegas. 

The event included music, dinner, dancing, remarks from: Hon. Philip Pro (Ret.), Professor Danielle Finn, Dean Leah Chan Grinvald, Sean Claggett (’03), Fireside Chat with Frank Durand, Hon. Jay Bybee, Oganna Brown (’01), Professor Nancy Rapoport, and Kathia Quiros-Medina (’03). 

Thank you to our

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 benefits more students over time. Donors to endowed