PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
University of Nebraska College of Law, August 2022 – Current
Director of Externships and Executive Director of the Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law Program
Creating, developing, administering, and teaching a new externship program for the College of Law, including the externship courses (general externships, Nonprofit Board Service, and semester-away programs), student and supervisor advising, curriculum development, and placement and outreach services.
In addition, supporting the Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications program’s research initiatives, general development, and strategic oversight with the program’s faculty leadership and Associate Director. Oversight includes: program development and budgeting; national and regional collaboration and relationship development; career programming and industry workforce development; domestic, international, and military student recruitment and relations; research projects and proposals; and staff management.
University of Nebraska College of Law, November 2019 – August 2022
Executive Director of the Nebraska Governance and Technology Center and the Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law Program
Development, growth, and operations of the new Nebraska Technology and Governance Center and continued with the Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law program, established in 2008. Oversight included: program development and budgeting; national and regional collaboration and relationship development; career programming and industry workforce development; domestic, international, and military student recruitment and relations; research projects and proposals; and staff management.
University of Nebraska College of Law, September 2012 – November 2019
Executive Director of the Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law Program
Program development and growth, student services, budgets, and general oversight and leadership.
EDUCATION
University of Nebraska College of Law, Lincoln, Nebraska
Juris Doctor, Graduated December 2011, Concentration in Cyber Law
Women’s Law Caucus, Charity Auction Chair, April 2011
Allies & Advocates Student Group, Nominated for the Chancellor’s Student Impact Award April 2011 for founding the Prairie Pride Film Festival
William & Mary College of Law, Williamsburg, Virginia
Legal Technology Program, 2010, Research and coursework in: eDiscovery, data seizures, cybercrime, domain name disputes, and the use of social networking websites in law
Doane College, Lincoln, Nebraska
Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design, Cum Laude (Top 7%), Graduated May 2008, Pinnacle National Honor Society, Individual program of study in junior year focused on life drawing, and senior seminar on the visual intersection of geometric art to 1920-1940’s architecture
LICENSES
Nebraska Bar Association (licensed to practice law in the state of Nebraska)
Member of Military Law, Women and the Law, International Law, Business Law (International Law Committee), and Intellectual Property Law Sections, 2016 – Current
SCHOLARLY PUBLICATIONS AND EDITORIAL EXPERIENCE
Science and Strength: The History of the Relationship Between Civil and Military Space Organizations in the United States, presented and published in the proceedings of the 73rd International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Copyright ©2022 by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), September 2022
Diplomatic Impact in the Stars? A Review of the Impact of the Artemis Accords on Global Relationships, The Catholic University Journal of Law and Technology, Co-Authored with Josh Lee and Amelia Ruffolo, Summer 2022
Commercial and Military Uses of Outer Space, authored book chapter ‘Women in Line: Space Security in the United States‘ published by Springer, Summer 2020
U.S. Air Force Academy Eisenhower Center for Space & Defense Studies, Editorial Board Member, Spring 2020
International Astronautical Congress 2019 Proceedings, IAF Education Symposium, “10 Years in Space Law: Lessons in Educating Post-Doctoral Students in Space Law,” October 2019
American Bar Association Forum on Air and Space, Air and Space Journal, “On-Orbit Satellite Servicing Standards Are a Necessity for the Private Space Industry.” Co-Authored with Danielle Miller, September, Volume 31, Number 3, 2018
Penn State Arbitration Law Review, “Ready Party One: The History and Developing Role of Online Dispute Resolution Technology From VoIP to Virtual Reality,” Fall 2018.
American Bar Association Law Practice Today, February 2018, “My Journey Preparing Women for Success in Tech and Space Policy.”
http://www.lawpracticetoday.org/article/women-aerospace-technology-policy
SC Lawyer Magazine, South Carolina Bar Association, February 2018, “Confidence in Contracting and Cutting Costs: Why Attorneys Need to Pay Attention to Blockchain Systems” [reprinted with permission]. Co-Authored with Mike Echternacht, MEEM Legal Services
US Department of Defense Strategic Multilayer Assessment on Contested Space Operations, September 2017, Contributing Author, UNCLASSIFIED publication publicly available: http://nsiteam.com/sma-publications
Nebraska Lawyer, August 2017, “Confidence in Contracting and Cutting Costs: Why Attorneys Need to Pay Attention to Blockchain Systems.” Co-Authored with Mike Echternacht, MEEM Legal Services
Nebraska Lawyer, January 2017, “Who is Responsible for Preventing Security Breaches? Everyone and No One: The Liability Ambiguity Attorneys Face in the Cybersecurity Realm.”
GRANTS, RESEARCH, CONTRACT AWARDS
Research Fellow with the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska, Selected Summer 2021
“Multi-actor deterrence analysis methodology and laboratory,” funds from the University of Nebraska and the National Strategic Research Institute, led by PI Dr. Michelle Black, 2021
“NASA Nebraska Student Support” for the International Institute of Space Law Manfred Lachs Moot Court Team travel expenses and travel funds to attend the Nebraska Fall Space Law Conference, March 2019, August 2022
“Nuclear Command, Control and Communications Center’s (NC3) Enterprise Center,” a research initiative that will collaborate with the National Strategic Research Institute to support U.S. Strategic Command, 2020-2021
“Recruiting, Retaining, and Supporting Women in the National Security Field,” University of Nebraska’s Inclusive Excellence Development Grants from the Office of Diversity, Access and Inclusion, January 2019
“NASA Space Law Network,” a NASA grant pilot-project establishing a nationwide network of students and scholars interested in space law and policy, September 2018
“Study on Legal Responsibilities, Limitations, and Requirements for Nebraska National Guard Cyber Capabilities,” University Affiliated Research Center, U.S. Strategic Command, September 2018- September 2019
“Advanced Operational Law Annual Legal Conference and Report,” University Affiliated Research Center, U.S. Strategic Command, JAG Office, 2017, 2018, 2019
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
NExt Pioneer, Nebraska Tech Collaborative, named in summer 2022
Inspire Lincoln Awards Nominee in the Education and Large Business Categories, Lincoln Journal Star, a community award recognizing women leaders and the impact they are making in the community, September 2021
University of Nebraska Woman of Character, Courage, and Commitment
Women’s History Month nominee, March 7, 2019
John H. Binning Award for Excellence, nominated by students and colleagues and selected by the Dean, the award is presented to a member of the administration of the College of Law who makes a significant contribution to the effectiveness of the College’s programs, October 2018
20 Under 40, Lincoln Journal Star
The Journal Star’s 20 Under 40 section is a way to recognize 20 of Lincoln’s emerging business leaders, all under 40 years old.
Award Recipient, June 9th, 2013
ORGANIZATIONS & SERVICE
Girls Code Lincoln, Board of Directors
Girls Code Lincoln is a nonprofit organization striving to ignite passion for technology and leadership in young people by hosting multiweek technology clubs for 4th-9th grade students of underrepresented genders, and partnering with Nebraska organizations to build in-house curriculum to teach technology, leadership, and life skills.
Board President, as of September 2021
Board of Directors, joined April 2020
Branched Oak Observatory, Advisory Board
Branched Oak Observatory is supported by science education professionals and astronomy enthusiasts who give of their valuable time and expertise to the growing facility. Our goal is simple: to share the wonders of the night sky with Eastern Nebraska.
Advisory Board Member, as of June 2022
Girls Scout Troop #20821 (Randolph Elementary School)
Co-Leader in multi-grade troop, September 2021
European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats, Legal Expert Pool Member, March 2019 – Present
American Society of International Law
Space Law Interest Group Co-Chair, March 2019 – Present
Space Law Interest Group Vice Chair, 2018-2019
Member, 2018 – Present
Women in Aerospace
Women in Aerospace is dedicated to expanding women’s opportunities for leadership and increasing their visibility in the aerospace community.
Member, 2017 – Present
American Bar Association Committee on Air and Space Law
Member, 2015 – Present
Newsletter Editor, 2015
Camp Summergold, Board of Directors
Camp Summergold was a residential arts and STEM summer camp for teen girls ages 11-17.
Board Member, Elected September 2016 – September 2018
MilkWorks, Board of Directors
MilkWorks is a non-profit community breastfeeding center and medical clinic dedicated to helping mothers feed their babies.
Board Member, Elected November 2013 – May 2015
Fund Development Chair, 2013 – 2014
Outlinc, Board of Directors
Outlinc is a nonprofit organization that engages in and fosters the well-being and advancement of the LGBTQ community through excellence in service, recreation, education, and celebration.
Board Member, Elected November 2013 – May 2015
University of Nebraska Lincoln Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Women, University of Nebraska
Elected Representative, 2012-2014
Lincoln Rotary Club #14
Rotary is a worldwide network of inspired individuals who translate their passions into relevant social causes to change lives in communities.
Member, 2015 – 2017
Speaker’s Committee, 2015
Prairie Pride Film Festival
The Prairie Pride Film Festival delivers independent films featuring LGBTQA issues to a mid-western audience in Lincoln Nebraska.
Festival Founder and Producer, 2011 – 2014
Nominated for Chancellor Student Impact Award, February 2011
NOTABLE PRESS
The Lead South Australia, “Women in space inspire career choices”Andrew Spence, September 26, 2019, http://theleadsouthaustralia.com.au/?p=39828
The Verge, “WHY STOWAWAY CREATURES ON THE MOON CONFOUND INTERNATIONAL SPACE LAW: Who gets to decide what gets blasted into space?” Loren Grush, August 16, 2019
https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/16/20804219/moon-tardigrades-lunar-lander-spaceil-arch-mission-foundation-outer-space-treaty-law
Astro Esq. Podcast, Episode 2, “Elsbeth Magilton,” http://astroesq.com/astroesq-podcast-episode-2-elsbeth-magilton/
NET, Nebraska’s NPR Station, “UNL Receives $250K NASA Space Law Program Grant, September 24, 2018, http://netnebraska.org/article/news/1144868/unl-receives-250k-nasa-space-law-program-grant
The Atlantic, “How Will Police Solve Murders on Mars?,” September 14, 2018, https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/09/mars-pd/569668/
Omaha World Herald, “Editorial: NU College of Law is part of international space-law project,” May 21, 2018
Space.com, “Can We Prevent War in Space? These Guidelines May Help,” article by Charles Q. Choi, May 2, 2018
Channel 8 KLKN News, Coverage of the Deterrence and Assurance Academic Alliance, March 16, 2018
Channel 8 KLKN News, Excellence in Education Special, Asteroid Day Coverage, June 29, 2017
Omaha World Herald, “In the Field of asteroid research UNL is playing an important part to help prevent ‘Game Over’” June 30, 2017
Daily Nebraskan, “Asteroid Day Provides Opportunity to Learn About Near-Earth Space,” June 28, 2016
Lincoln Journal Star, Interview, “Happy Asteroid Day,” June 28, 2015
Nebraska Science Festival, Booth Host and Public Engagement Representative for the Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law program, 2015
Omaha World Herald, Interview, “NU’s prestigious ‘space law’ program examines down-to-earth questions,” January, 2015
Featured Professional, Midlands and Lincoln Business Journal Business Minute
July 15, 2014
Featured Lincoln Community Member, in support of the Lincoln City Libraries Idea Place Campaign, September 2014
Geekosystems, Interview by Victoria McNally, November 2013 “Learn More About The Fascinating World Of Space Law, Which Is Absolutely A Real Thing”
PUBLIC LECTURES & SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
U.S. State Department Speaker Program, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, lecture and roundtable with the UzSpace agency and the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent on Uzbekistan’s commercial and governmental space interests, May 2022
Missouri and Kansas National Guard Judge Advocate Continuing Legal Education Conference, Kansas City Missouri, on the history of the military’s relationship to the space domain and current space hot topics, June 2021
U.S. State Department Speaker Program, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, lecture series on Commercial Space Issues for the New Zealand and Australian Space Council on behalf of the U.S. Consulate in Auckland New Zealand, spring 2021
South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival, with by Gabriel Swiney, Attorney Advisor, U.S. Department of State and Kathryn Waldron, National Security & Cybersecurity Fellow, R Street Institute, panel ‘A Star Trek Model for Space? How Scifi Impacts Law,’ March 2021
ASCENDxSummit Space Policy and Education, 21st Century Workforce event on Space Law, Panelist, October 21, 2020
Nebraska Virtual Space Law Week, Spectrum Issues Before the FCC, Panel Moderator, October 1, 2020.
EmpowHER, Girls Code Lincoln Lecture Series, Speaker, September 9, 2020.
International Astronautical Congress, IAF Education Symposium, Paper Presentation, “10 Years in Space Law: Lessons in Educating Post-Doctoral Students in Space Law,” October 23, 2019
Women in Space Law Public Panel Hosted by the Dean of the University of Adelaide School of Law, Adelaide South Australia, September 26, 2019
Hamilton Space School, Space Careers Panel and Student Submissions to the Australian Space Agency, Adelaide South Australia, September 26, 2019
Wisconsin NASA Space Grant Consortium Annual Conference, Opening Plenary/Keynote, “Regulating the Final Frontier: The Role of Law in Innovative Space Activities,” University of Wisconsin Platteville, August 15, 2019
CBS and Creation Entertainment Officially Licensed Star Trek Convention, invited academic guest, “Can Regulation Help Us Boldly Go?
Real World Space Law Through a Star Trek Filter,” Las Vegas Nevada, August 1, 2019
Future Huskers University, “What is Space Law?,” Nebraska Alumni Association, Nebraska Hall, July 19, 2019
NORAD NORTHCOM Academic Alliance Annual Meeting, Roundtable Participant and Attendee, Peterson AFB, June 18-19, 2019
European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats, Roundtable Participant and Guest, University of Exeter, April 10, 2019
U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services Agency, “Space Law and Supporting Women,” Women’s History Month Speaker, March 27, 2019
SciPop Talk: Boldy Go, Star Trek Meets Real World Space Law, Love Library, February 6, 2019
American Association of Law Schools (AALS) Annual Conference, Panelist, Distance and Online Education, New Orleans, LA, January 4, 2019
NASA Space Law Network Pilot Program Grant Session for the Galloway Symposium in Washington D.C., “Space Law 101 and Careers in Space Law and Professional Development,” Fish and Richardson LLC, December 4, 2018
NASA Space Law Network Pilot Program Grant Session at the ABILA International Law Weekend Conference, “Careers in Space Law and Professional Development,” Fordham Law School, October 19, 2018
Kansas State University, Guest Lecturer, “Space Law 101,” October 15, 2018
St. Mary’s School of Law Women’s Law Association, Guest Lecturer, “Empowering Women to Bridge the Gap Between Law & Technology,” October 3, 2018
2018 US Strategic Command Deterrence Symposium, Moderator, New Thinking on Deterrence and Academic Alliance Panel, August 2, 2018
University of Nebraska Council of Libraries, “Basic Tenets of Space Law and the Current Shifts in Policy, July 12, 2018
Newman University, Guest Lecturer, “The Practice of Cyber Law,” Professor Kristi Edwards, Social Sciences Department, Wichita Kansas, March 29, 2018
Newman University, Guest Lecturer, “Introduction to the Basic Tenets of Space Law,” Bishop Gerber Science Center, Wichita Kansas, March 28, 2018
Space Entrepreneurs Seattle, Guest Speaker, “Introduction to the Basic Tenets of Space Law,” January 10, 2018
Seattle Museum of Flight Women in Aerospace Groups, Guest Speaker and Workshop Leader for the Women Who Launch and Seattle Space Gals, “Empowering Women to Bridge the Gap Between Law & Technology” and additional training workshop, January 9, 2018
Doane University Business Law Class, Guest Speaker, “Space Law 101,” December 5, 2017
University of Nebraska College of Engineering, Guest Lecturer, UNL Explore Center’s Pre-Law Club and Engineering Career Advising Center, “Space Law 101,” November 2, 2017
Women Advancing the Future of Information Technology in Higher Ed Conference, Nebraska Innovation Campus, “Empowering Women to Bridge the Gap Between Law & Technology,” October 19, 2017
Nebraska State Bar Association Annual Meeting CLE, “Confidence in Contracting and Cutting Costs: Why Attorneys Need to Pay Attention to Blockchain Systems.” Co-Presenting with Mike Echternacht, MEEM Legal Services, October 12, 2017
University of Missouri College of Law, Columbia, Guest Speaker, “Military Space and Cyber Policy: The DoD Perspective” October 1, 2018
Ignite Lincoln 9, “10 Years in Space Law: Spoiler You Can’t Own the Moon,” August 17, 2017
University of Nebraska College of Engineering, Guest Lecturer in Professor Karen Stelling’s NASA Undergraduate Student Instrument Project (USIP) course, “Considerations in Aerospace Centric Grant Writing and Contracting,” April 12, 2017
University of Kansas College of Law, Lawrence, Guest Lecturer, “Space law, national security, and your client’s data: how satellite regulation ties industries together.” March 7, 2017
University of Missouri College of Law, Columbia, Guest Lecturer, “Space & cyber law avenues for attorneys in the field: what existing law and modern changes in policy tell us about the job market.” March 1, 2017
University of South Dakota College of Law, Guest Lecturer, “Space & cyber law avenues for attorneys in the field: what existing law and modern changes in policy tell us about the job market.” January 18, 2017
University of Missouri School of Law Kansas City, Guest Lecturer, “I Can Space Law and So Can You,” a primer on the field with an introduction to commercial space regulation and national security space law and policy, September 28, 2016
Doane University, Guest Speaker on the Field of Space Law, with Professor Frans von der Dunk in Professor Wendy Hind’s Business Law undergraduate course, October 2014, 2015
Omaha Science Fiction Convention, Guest of Honor, Speaker (Space Law, Military Space Activity, Bitcoin & Internet Currency, Feminism in the Work of Joss Whedon), August 2014
CONFERENCES (ORGANIZER AND SPONSOR)
15th Annual Nebraska Space Law Conference, Commercial and Military Issues in Space, Army and Navy Club, Washington DC, Conference Organizer, October 14, 2022
“State Level Issues in Technology, Regulation, and Economic Development Conference,” The Nebraska Governance and Technology Center hosted leading experts to discuss the role of states in regulating “Big Tech” and to speak on the evolution of public attitudes towards the technology sector, as well as the ways in which efforts to regulate Big Tech are likely to affect consumers at the state level. The conference was the first in a 2-year program hosted by the Center that will invite policymakers, enforcement officials, and academics to discuss changing attitudes toward Big Tech and technology regulation, April 2022
Nebraska Virtual Space Law Week, a week of sessions on substantive space law issues and student and career development sessions, done virtually to accommodate safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept 27-Oct 1, 2021
Nebraska Virtual Space Law Week, a week of sessions on substantive space law issues and student and career development sessions, done virtually to accommodate safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sept 28-Oct 3, 2020
A Fireside Chat with NASA General Counsel, on behalf of the American Society of International Law as the Space Law Interest Group Co-Chair, Tillar House, Washington DC, October 19, 2019
12th Annual Nebraska Space Law Conference, “Global Perspectives on Space Law and Policy,” The Annual Washington DC Space Law Conference at The National Press Club, Conference organizer, October 18, 2019
The Rural Digital Divide: Challenges and Solutions, public conference and invite-only roundtable discussion, sponsored by Microsoft, Comcast, ICLE, New America, Rural Futures, and the Nebraska Telecommunications Association, April 18-19, 2019
NASA Space Law Network Research and Publication Weekend Workshop, conference organizer, April 6-7, 2019
U.S. Strategic Command Fellows Annual Workshop, organizer, March 13, 2019
Woomera Manual Workshop, founding member workshop hosted by Nebraska Law, February 2019
Galloway Symposium, IISL Annual Event, Institutional Sponsorship Representative, December 2018
“Intersections of Commercial and National Security Space,” The Annual Washington DC Space Law Conference at The National Press Club, Conference organizer, September 21, 2018
“Defense Planning and Legal Practice in 21st Century Domains: The 2018 Advanced Operations Law Conference,” U.S. Strategic Command, University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) Grant Principal Investigator and Conference Organizer, September 5-7, 2018
“Thinking Outside the Silo: Creative Problem Solving in Deterrence and Assurance” Deterrence and Assurance Academic Alliance (DAAA) 2018 Symposium, Conference Organizer, March 15-16, 2017
“Critical Issues Facing the New U.S. Space Council,” Galloway Symposium, IISL Annual Event, Institutional Sponsorship Representative, December 13, 2017
“Outer Space as a Commercial Domain and Warfighting Domain: Emerging Issues In Space Law,” Annual Washington DC Space Law Conference at The National Press Club, Conference organizer and part of a team that assembled an industry roundtable to discuss concerns over language in article six of the Outer Space Treaty, September 15, 2017
“Advanced Operations Law Conference,” U.S. Strategic Command, University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) Grant Principal Investigator and Conference Organizer, September 6-8, 2017
“Issues in State, Local, and Regional Cybersecurity,” University of Nebraska Law College, Annual Lincoln Conference, Conference Organizer, March 2017
Asteroid Day at Mueller Planetarium, Lead Presenter, June 29, 2017
“50 Years of the Outer Space Treaty,” Galloway Symposium, IISL Annual Event, Institutional Sponsorship Representative, December 2016
Beyond Best Practices: Creating a Supportive Environment for Breastfeeding Parents, Panelist, conference hosted by University of Nebraska Medical Center, CHI Health, and the Nebraska Breastfeeding Coalition, October 25, 2016
“New Space Technologies and Changing Business Models: Perspectives on Regulation” 9th Annual Washington DC Space Law Conference, Conference organizer and part of a team that assembled a congressional white paper providing guidance on commercial space liability concerns and congressional indemnification, October 2016
“Amending US Space Legislation: Executive, Legislative, and Industry Views” 9th Annual Washington DC Space Law Conference, Conference Organizer, October 2015
“On-Orbit Jurisdiction: Challenges and Opportunities” 8th Annual Washington DC Space Law Conference, Conference Organizer, November 2014
“Commercial Space Liability Issues” 7th Annual Washington DC Space Conference, Conference organizer and part of a team that assembled a congressional white paper providing guidance on commercial space liability concerns and congressional indemnification, November 2013
7th Annual Lincoln Space and Cyber Conference in Collaboration with USSTRATCOM, University of Nebraska Law College, Conference Organizer, May 2013
Elsbeth Magilton 
You must be logged in to post a comment.