Madalyn Nelson was appointed as a Legal Advisor to Sheriff Kelly Martinez in 2025. She is responsible for providing legal advice to the Department's Detentions Services Bureau and Medical Services Division.

Madalyn earned her Juris Doctor degree from California Western School of Law. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Justice Studies, Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies, and an Associate of Arts in Communication from California State University San Marcos. During law school, Madalyn clerked at the United States Attorney's Office with their Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force as well as the San Diego City Attorney's Office in both the criminal unit assisting in the prosecution of DUIs and civil unit assisting the Public Safety division.

Madalyn is a member of the California State Bar and is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court, Southern District of California.