Michelle Paxton is an Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska College of Law and the founding Director of the Nebraska Children’s Justice and Legal Advocacy Center (NCJC), a nationally recognized initiative transforming juvenile court advocacy through integrated legal education, rural attorney training, and trauma-informed support. She created NCJC to ensure that every child, youth, and family in juvenile court—especially in underserved communities—has access to skilled, supported legal advocacy.

Michelle teaches juvenile law and leads all NCJC programs, including the Children’s Justice Clinic, the Children’s Justice Attorney Education Fellowship, and statewide training initiatives for attorneys at various stages of their careers. Her work bridges legal education and real-world practice and is driven by a commitment to reflective supervision, attorney well-being, and expanding access to justice. She is a frequent presenter at national conferences and a published author on topics such as rural legal deserts, clinical education, and child welfare representation.