Biography

Prior to joining the Hofstra Law community, Professor Nelson taught at Saint Louis University School of Law and served as a visiting professor at Washington University in Saint Louis School of Law, where she taught Contracts and Criminal Law. She was the Dean’s Distinguished Scholar in Residence. She is a widely recognized scholar in the field of critical race theory and cultural studies, with particular focus in criminal law, criminal procedure, disability law and comparative law. She has published fifteen law review articles, an anthology, book chapters and national and international scholarly articles and professional working papers. She regularly presents at conferences and workshops around the country and internationally and has been asked to present several prominent public lectures.

In 2006, Professor Nelson received the Faculty Excellence Award from students at Saint Louis University. In 2005, she received the Derrick A. Bell, Jr. Faculty Award from the Association of American Law Schools, Section on Minority Groups.

And in 2004, she received the Extraordinary Service Award from the National People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference and was named Faculty Member of the Year at Saint Louis University School of Law. After graduating with her law degree, Professor Nelson clerked for Justice Frank Iacobucci of the Supreme Court of Canada and then worked as an associate at McCarthy Tetrault, Barristers and Solicitors, the largest law firm in Canada.