Biography of Deborah J. Nelson
Deborah Nelson serves as Senior System Counsel at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. In that capacity, she represents the University in wide range of legal matters including labor, employment, administrative agency cases, construction, public contracting and procurement, legislative issues, Family Education Privacy Rights Act issues, appellate, litigation, faculty issues, athletics, and public safety issues, among other things.
Prior to coming to the University, Ms. Nelson served as City Attorney for the City of Carbondale. As City Attorney, she represented the City Council, various public bodies, and city staff in a wide range of legal issues including labor, employment, Open Meetings Act, Freedom of Information Act, Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, zoning, eminent domain, criminal, civil, appellate, and public contracting. Prior to her position as City Attorney, Ms. Nelson also was employed an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Carbondale, Illinois with responsibilities involving prosecution of City ordinance violations and traffic laws and advising on a variety of legal issues. She began her career as a staff attorney with the Legislative Reference Bureau in Springfield, Illinois. As a staff attorney, Ms. Nelson drafted legislation for consideration by the General Assembly and worked on special legislative projects.
Deborah J. Nelson is a graduate of Southern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University School of Law. She is a member of National Association for University and College Attorneys and the Illinois Bar Association.
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