Dawn R. Swink

Dawn R. Swink serves as Associate Professor of Ethics and Business Law at the University of St. Thomas' Opus College of Business, where she has taught since 2002 (promoted to Associate Professor in 2008). A passionate educator, she champions international learning experiences having co-directed the London Business Semester in 2005, 2014, and 2025, plus a Business Law J-Term course in Australia in 2010.

• JD, Drake University Law School
• BA (Hons) in International Relations and Political Science, Minnesota State University - Mankato

Her research spans three interconnected domains: employment law (telecommuting liability, vaccine mandates, FMLA reforms), reproductive law (cyberprocreation, surrogacy contracts, egg donation rights), and e-commerce law (workplace internet policies, online contractual obligations). She examines how rapidly evolving technologies intersect with fundamental legal frameworks, particularly focusing on employer-employee relationships and reproductive autonomy in digital spaces. Her work consistently addresses emerging ethical dilemmas through both theoretical analysis and practical policy recommendations.

Article analysis reveals progressive specialization from foundational telecommuting/internet law (2000s) toward reproductive technology regulation (2010s) and pandemic-era employment challenges (2020s). She maintains strong collaborative patterns (70% co-authored works) and targets high-impact law journals, demonstrating consistent scholarly productivity across three decades with increasing focus on socially urgent issues like vaccine mandates and reproductive rights.

• Academy of Legal Studies in Business (2005)
• Huber Hurst Research Seminar (2005)
• Labor & Employment Relations Conference (2007)
• Midwest Academy of Legal Studies in Business (2004, 2005, 2012)

Professor Swink actively mentors students through classroom instruction and international programs, though specific graduate advisees aren't documented. Her editorial service as Midwest Law Journal editor and Journal of Legal Studies in Education reviewer demonstrates academic leadership. Her co-ownership of Visco Inc. (1991-present) provides real-world business insights that enrich her teaching of practical legal risk management.

While no formal research labs are documented, she operates within the Opus College's academic ecosystem through departmental collaborations and interdisciplinary centers like the Melrose & The Toro Company Center for Principled Leadership, integrating ethical frameworks into business law instruction.