News & Commentary written by Bria Nelson

Bria Nelson (they/them) is a Legal Fellow at the ACLU of Kansas where they assist with litigation regarding the constitutionality of Kansas’ death penalty, working closely with the national ACLU Capital Punishment Project (CPP).

Bria graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law with Pro Bono Distinction in 2021. During law school, Bria was deeply committed to social justice advocacy, working with the Disability Rights Center of Kansas, the ACLU of Kansas, CPP, and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., and served on the executive boards of several student organizations, including the Black Law Students Association and the Dean’s Diversity Leadership Council. Bria is a recipient of the 2021 Equal Justice Works Regional Public Interest Award, recognizing their exemplary commitment to public interest law and pro bono work, and the Dru Mort Sampson Center for Diversity & Inclusion Award of Distinction, given to the student who, in the opinion of the law faculty, has exhibited exemplary leadership and commitment to promoting diversity and belonging both in Green Hall and in the law school’s broader communities.