Rate My Professor Ben Nevell

Ben Nevell is the Professional Legal Skills Co-ordinator and Professional Practice Fellow in the Faculty of Law at the University of Otago, within the Humanities Division. In this capacity, he coordinates key papers including LAWS 499 Mooting and Advocacy Skills, as well as research and writing courses LAWS 298, LAWS 398, and LAWS 498. As Faculty Co-ordinator for Competitions, he organizes moot court events that simulate real courtroom experiences, such as the 2024 final held in Dunedin's historic High Court building, which provided law students with practical advocacy training in an authentic judicial setting. Nevell also serves as Kaiāwhina Māori, offering support to Māori students in the Faculty of Law. He contributes to the university's resources, featured in law subject guides for practical guidance.

Prior to joining the Faculty of Law in January 2020, Ben Nevell practiced as a lawyer for 18 years, specializing in civil litigation, family law, employment law, and mental health law, including operating his own practice, Ben Nevell Law, and founding Legal E-Books Limited to produce accessible resources such as e-books and guides for self-representing litigants in family and employment courts. On May 10, 2022, he was appointed Co-ordinator of the University of Otago's Sexual Misconduct Action Response Team (SMART), alongside Deputy Co-ordinator Rebecca Connaughton. In this role, he leads oversight of investigations into allegations of non-grievous sexual misconduct, monitors trends to inform targeted education programmes, and collaborates with services including Te Whare Tāwharau, Student Health, the Otago University Students' Association, and the Proctor’s Office to ensure responses are coordinated, compassionate, timely, and trauma-informed. Nevell's legal expertise enhances the university's institutional response to sexual harm. He has been recognized for his contributions, with a farewell event noting his move to a senior role at Community Law Wellington following his tenure at Otago.