Selene Mize is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Otago, where she teaches and researches legal ethics, negotiation, mediation, civil liberties, media law, and the intersection of law and psychology. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Communication Studies from Northwestern University and a Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School.
Prior to entering academia, Selene clerked for the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and practiced as a media law litigator in New York City. After relocating to New Zealand, she built a distinguished academic career focused on legal ethics, dispute resolution, and professional responsibility. Her work has also included training judges on working with self-represented litigants, training mediators internationally, and providing pro bono mediation services within the community.
Selene is internationally recognized for her contributions to legal education and client counseling. She has been involved with the Brown-Mosten International Client Consultation Competition since 2001, serving as New Zealand’s National Representative for more than two decades and holding leadership roles on the competition’s international executive. She has coached multiple championship-winning teams and delivered master classes on client consultation and negotiation in countries around the world.
A recipient of national recognition for teaching excellence, Selene is widely respected for her commitment to innovative legal education, experiential learning, and the development of future legal professionals.
