Nell Christensen is a Chief Deputy District Attorney in Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada, where she has built a distinguished career as a trial attorney, educator, and mentor. Known for her integrity and dedication to public service, she was honored as Nevada Prosecutor of the Year in 2025, a recognition of her outstanding contributions to the criminal justice system.

She earned her J.D. cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2003, after graduating with honors and a 4.0 GPA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she completed a double major. 

She began her career in public service right out of law school. Early in her prosecutorial career, she spent several years on the Gun Crimes Unit, handling complex and high-stakes cases involving firearm-related offenses and arguing before the Nevada Supreme Court on multiple occasions. 

In her role as Chief of Training and Recruiting, she has played a pivotal role in the professional development of hundreds of interns, law clerks, and attorneys, offering mentorship, practical training, and long-term career guidance. She also served for over a decade as a “Transitioning into Practice” mentor for the State Bar of Nevada, guiding newly admitted attorneys as they begin their legal careers.

Beyond the courtroom, she is a highly respected legal educator. As an Adjunct Professor at the UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law, she teaches Trial Advocacy, earning the honor of Adjunct Professor of the Year twice. She has also taught dozens of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses across Nevada, helping attorneys and judges refine their skills and deepen their understanding of criminal law.

Her leadership extends to the broader legal community. She serves as the founding Chair of the Nevada Prosecution Best Practices Committee and is an active member of the Prosecutors’ Center for Excellence Best Practices Committee, contributing to national conversations about ethical and effective prosecution. She also serves as a Panel Chair on the State Bar of Nevada’s Disciplinary Board, reinforcing her deep commitment to professionalism and accountability in the practice of law.

Outside of her professional life, she is a devoted wife and busy mom. She enjoys family time at home with her family’s two energetic dogs.  She is driven by a deep belief in public service, the power of advocacy, and the importance of passing on the craft of trial lawyering to the next generation.