UNLV has named Leah Chan Grinvald as the next dean for the William S. Boyd School of Law, effective July 1, 2022. Grinvald, who was selected following a national search for the position, is currently associate dean for academic affairs and professor of law at Suffolk University Law School in Boston. She will be the first Asian American to lead the UNLV Boyd School of Law.
“We’re excited to welcome Leah to UNLV and Nevada, and we look forward to working with her to further elevate Boyd Law School’s strong reputation for excellence in legal education,” said UNLV President Keith E. Whitfield.
As associate dean at Suffolk’s law school for the past five years, Grinvald has overseen the school’s academic curriculum. This includes overall curricular structure, American Bar Association compliance and the creation and launch of new programs, including a hybrid online JD program, a Master of Science in Law, and numerous non-J.D. certificate programs. Prior to joining the faculty at Suffolk Law in 2013, she was an assistant professor of law at St. Louis University School of Law.
“I’ve long admired Boyd Law for its pioneering role as Nevada’s first and only law school and for its innovative programming that produces practice-ready graduates well-prepared to serve and lead in their communities,” said Grinvald. “The Boyd community – buoyed by diverse, energetic, and engaged faculty, students, and alumni – is well-positioned to set the standard for legal education in the 21st century, and I’m excited to lead those efforts.”
Grinvald is also a dedicated intellectual property scholar whose research agenda has focused on the enforcement of intellectual property laws, as well as potential negative impacts of related laws on small businesses and entrepreneurs. She has published numerous articles, authored book chapters, and has received invitations to speak all over the world in a variety of academic and industry contexts. Grinvald is a member of numerous professional organizations and has served on several boards, including the Conference of Asian Pacific American Law Faculty.
“Leah brings both great passion and an impressive combination of leadership and scholarly experience to the position, and we’re thrilled to welcome her as the next dean of UNLV’s Boyd School of Law,” said Christopher L. Heavey, UNLV executive vice president and provost. “During the search process, Leah articulated a clear vision for the future of Boyd Law that’s innovative, community focused, and aspirational, and I’m confident that she’ll partner with the school’s exceptional faculty to lead one of our university’s strongest programs to even greater levels of success.”
Before entering academia, Grinvald served as global corporate counsel at TaylorMade Golf Company, where she advised on a variety of legal issues including copyright, trademark, contract and employment law. Prior to TaylorMade, she was a corporate associate with Latham & Watkins LLP and Clifford Chance US LLP. Grinvald received her J.D. from New York University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from The George Washington University.
Grinvald succeeds Sara Gordon, William S. Boyd Professor of Law, who has served as interim dean during the national search for the school’s next leader.
The UNLV Boyd School of Law, Nevada’s only law school, consistently ranks as one of the nation’s best according to U.S. News & World Report. Boyd rose two places to 60th in the publication’s 2021 best law school rankings. The school also ranked No. 1 nationally for legal writing, 5th in the dispute resolution, and 19th overall for its part-time juris doctor program. Learn more at law.unlv.edu
