Dawn NielsenIssue 18: Summer 2022

In 2010, Dawn Nielsen was a member of the Interactive Measurement Group. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, then went on to earn her Juris Doctor at the UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law and become a licensed attorney with the State Bar of Nevada. Now, she is the Director of Externships and an Assistant Professor in Residence at the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV. It has been quite the journey!

As an undergraduate student, Dawn worked as a lab manager and poster leader in the Interactive Measurement Group, working closely with Dr. Barchard for four semesters in 2010-2011. She co-authored two conference posters and wrote a paper on theory of mind. Many of the skills Dawn learned and developed through her work in the lab – managing multiple projects and commitments, meeting deadlines, writing clearly and concisely, communicating effectively, working collaboratively with others, and organizing information in spreadsheets (her favorite) – have helped her succeed in law school and beyond.

While studying at Boyd, Dawn was a student attorney with the Thomas & Mack Juvenile Justice Clinic, representing youth in Family Court. As a research fellow, she reviewed and recommended changes to Alaska state law governing the treatment of Alaskans with mental illness and she traveled to Anchorage with the team to present the final report to the Governor’s Criminal Justice Working Group. She was also a research assistant and teaching assistant in Boyd’s legal writing program, ranked the best legal writing program in the country according to U.S. News and World Report’s Best Graduate Schools.

After law school, Dawn served as Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Kathleen Delaney in the Eighth Judicial District Court. She then worked as the Judicial Clerkship Advisor in the Boyd Career Development Office and Moot Court and Mock Trial Faculty Advisor before accepting a position as Special Assistant to UNLV President Marta Meana. Dawn returned to the law school in 2020 as the Director of Externships, where she connects students to experiential learning opportunities.

Dawn’s work connecting students with mentors is personal, having herself completed two externships and one internship as a Boyd student. Those experiences provided valuable skills, exposing her to the actual practice of law in a governmental agency, a public interest organization, and the courtroom. She also developed strong professional relationships with field supervisors who continue to mentor her today.