Wayne State University Law School student Jaime Nelson was named the 2018 Dawn Van Hoek Scholar by the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan Foundation.
The foundation makes financial awards to women law students at each of Michigan's law schools. Scholarships are determined on the basis of the students' demonstrated leadership capabilities; community service in such areas as family law, child advocacy or domestic violence; commitment to diversity; and potential for advancing the position of women in society.
Nelson, a resident of Detroit, is involved with the Women's Law Caucus, Damon J. Keith Students for Civil Rights, mock trial and Wayne Law's Free Legal Aid Clinic. She conducts juvenile lifer mitigation for the State Appellate Defender Office and also is the graduate teaching assistant for Wayne State University's Criminal Justice program where she's pursuing a dual degree.
"I am deeply honored to have received the 2018 Dawn Van Hoek WLAM scholarship, named after a Wayne Law alumna who spent her career fighting for indigent clients and public defense," Nelson said. "Wayne Law has given me great opportunities to pursue my passion for public interest, and this award has only strengthened my resolve to become an attorney that represents the people who need it most."
Nelson had the unique opportunity to live in Guatemala on two separate occasions during law school to explore international human rights issues. She also attended the Spanish language school Proyecto Linguistico Quetzalteco to strengthen her Spanish-speaking skills.
For more than 10 years Nelson has worked as a community organizer, statewide coordinator for The Prison Creative Arts Project through the University of Michigan, and as an investigator of prisoner complaints for the state legislature. She plans to continue her work in public defense and prisoners' rights. Nelson earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan.
Published: Mon, Jul 09, 2018
