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John William Nelson

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Avvo Rating10
  • Duluth, GA
  • Licensed for 12 years
  • Free consultation
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About John

I'm a product of DeKalb County, Georgia.  I attended the DeKalb County school system until 11th grade.  From 11th and 12th grade I attended George Walton Academy in Monroe, Georgia.  After high school, I spent 4 years at the University of Georgia learning about history and watching some good football.

I helped a friend start his own law firm after I graduated from college.  I learned a lot from this experience and decided I wanted to become a lawyer.  This led me to Cumberland School of Law, part of Samford University, in Birmingham, Alabama.

I spent 3 years in Birmingham learning about the law.  I took every single litigation class offered at Cumberland Law School.  I was a member of both the Trial Advocacy Board and the Moot Court Board.  I participated in mock trials at Cumberland, and I represented Cumberland in the American Bar Association's NAAC Moot Court Competition.  My Moot Court Team won our regional competition in Dallas and competed in the national finals tournament in Chicago.  I became a member of the Order of Barristers because of my oral advocacy and legal writing skills.

At Cumberland I was a member of the American Journal of Trial Advocacy.  I rose to the level of Senior Associate Editor.  The Journal published one of my papers while I was still a student about when the government can search your electronics during a border crossing.  Border Confidential: Why Searches of Laptop Computers at the Border Should Require Reasonable Suspicion, 31 Am. J. Trial Advoc. 137 (2007).

After Cumberland, my wife and I spent a year in Norwich, England, at the University of East Anglia's Norwich School of Law ("UEA").  I studied international law, focusing on intellectual property and information technology law.  I received a Master of Laws (LLM, or Legum Magister in fancy Latin) from UEA with distinction.  I won the award for the best dissertation, and my dissertation was later published by the McGeorge Law Review.  The Virtual Property Problem: What property rights in virtual resources might look like, how they might work, and why they are a bad idea, 41 McGeorge Law Review 281 (2010).

My wife and I moved back to Georgia, and I began working for a locl government lawyer in Covington, Georgia.  That firm represented Newton County, Georgia, as well as a number of other governmental organizations.  I learned a lot about government law, property law, and environmental law, and tried my first jury trial.

I then worked for Professional Boundaries Inc ("PBI") for about a year as their Chief Legal Officer and Chief Technology Officer.  PBI is a small, but national education company focusing on ethics and professionalism training in various professional industries, but primarily within the medical field.

I then opened my own law firm.  My law firm focuses on representing regular folks and small businesses.  I represent consumers fighting against companies that have lied, cheated, or hurt them.  I represent small businesses and guide them through the process of formation and growth.  I represent technology startups and the unique issues they face.

At the Nelson Law Chambers LLC, we protect people.  We protect property.  And we protect small businesses.

Practice areas

OtherBusinessLitigationDebt settlementConsumer protection
  1. Consumer protection: 45%

    I sue debt collectors for violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and other consumer protection laws.

    11 years

  2. Debt settlement: 25%

    I represent debtors against debt collectors. I charge affordable flat fees. I force debt collectors to prove their case, and I protect the rights of my clients. I use the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act to ensure debt collectors play by the rules and that my clients are compensated when they do not.

    11 years

  3. Litigation: 15%

    I represent clients in court for a number of different types of cases. These involves business litigation, contract litigation, tort litigation, and more. Sometimes you have to go to court, and when I go for my clients I ensure my their rights are protected and enforced.

    11 years

  4. Business: 10%

    I represent companies at all stages of business–from startups to early stages companies, from mature companies to companies winding down, I help shepherd my clients through the legal issues facing their company.

    11 years

  1. Trademark application: 5%

    I help people and companies file trademarks to protect their companies, their products, and their selves. I provide a review of the legal issues facing a client's trademark before I file it in order to reduce the likelihood of the trademark application being rejected. I charge affordable flat fees, not hourly fees.

    11 years

Languages spoken

English

Contact

2180 Satellite Blvd
address map

The Nelson Law Chambers LLC

2180 Satellite Blvd
Suite 400
Duluth, GA, 30097

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
WIGood Standing202008/18/2020
DCActive 201010/14/2017
GAActive Member in Good Standing 200809/24/2020
TNActive200809/15/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers86
Legal guides4
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
The Order of BarristersCumberland Law School Chapter2008
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
Managing MemberThe Nelson Law Chambers LLC2011 - Present
General CounselProfessional Boundaries, Inc.2010 - 2011
AttorneyThe Law Offices of Wm. Thomas Craig2009 - 2010
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Georgia Bar AssociationChair of the Consumer Law Section2017 - Present
National Association of Consumer AdvocatesMember2014 - Present
Gwinnett County Bar AssociationMember2012 - Present
District of Columbia BarMember2010 - Present
State Bar of GeorgiaMember2008 - Present
North Fulton Bar AssociationMember2012 - 2013
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
36 Okla. City U. L. Rev. (forthcoming)A Virtual Property Solution: How Privacy Law Can Protect the Citizens of Virtual Worlds2011
41 McGeorge L. Rev. 281The Virtual Property Problem: What property rights in virtual resources might look like, how they might work, and why they are a bad idea2010
14 Journal of Technology Law & Policy 5Fiber Optic Foxes: Virtual objects and virtual worlds through the lens of Pierson v. Post and the Law of Capture2009
31 American Journal of Trial Advocacy 137Border Confidential: Why Searches of Laptop Computers at the Border Should Require Reasonable Suspicion2007
Lex TechnologiaeThe Law & Technology BlogN/A
Georgia Credit LawsuitsGeorgia Credit Lawsuits BlogN/A
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
University of East Anglia, Norwich School of LawLL.M.2010
Samford University, Cumberland School of LawJ.D.2008
University of GeorgiaA.B.2003
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Tools for Information Literary ClassChoosing Open Source Copyright Licenses2015
Association for Law, Property, and Society 2011 ConferenceThe Law and the Meaning of Mine2013
Instructional Technology Librarian CourseCopyright: Or how I learned to stop worrying and love the Law2009
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
Wiggins v. Lazega & Johanson LLC et alSettled Confidentially
John v. Cooling & Winter LLC et alSettled Confidentially
Werdelin v. Greene & Cooper LLP et alSettled confidentially
Pena v. Portfolio Recovery Associates LLCSettled Confidentially
Pagan v. Andrews & Cox, P.C. et alSettled confidentially
Moodie v. HOA Capital Advisors LLC et alSettled Confidentiality
Oppenheimer v. Maestro Music, Inc. et alSettled Confidentiality
Gatlin v. Unifund CCR LLC et alSettled Confidentially
Cavalry Portfolio Services LLC v. MahfuzSettled before trial
Gemini Capital Group LLC v. MercerSettled before trial

Reviews

(14)
5 Star
100%
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Review John Nelson

The absolute best attorney, hands down!

Posted by

This was my first time having to hire an attorney and I honestly believe John Nelson is a gift from God. I have had to use him on two occasions and he also represented a relative another case. ALL of those cases came out in our favor. He truly works tirelessly for the little guy. Plus, he's genuinely a nice guy. If you need an attorney, please don't hesitate to hire John Nelson, you won't regret it!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Hire this lawyer!

Posted by

We hired him to help us with a lawsuit from a credit card company that turned out to not be valid. John Nelson is knowledgeable about exactly what our rights were and he knew how to handle it. He is great to work with as well. If you find yourself in a similar situation, I highly recommend that you hire him to help you!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Cases settled!

Posted by

John has been helping me for serveral cases with different firms and he has always been on top of it and very thorough! And we won and settled all cases he represented. I would definitely send all referrals to his firm.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Excellent Lawyer and Exceptional service

Posted by

For my first time using a lawyer, I had a very pleasant experience with Mr. John William Nelson. He was very easy to contact, not only by phone but by e-mail as well. He was thorough in answering my questions and explaining everything at hand. He really made me feel comfortable. His analysis and strategy for handling my cases was "spot-on" and resulted in best-case settlements. He was able to negotiate a settlement deal that I was comfortable with. He also he did not make any assumptions or move forward with anything without letting me know what was happening. I would be comfortable using him again as well as referring people to use his services. He is a very professional attorney who respects his clients. I strongly recommend you consider Mr. John William Nelson for your legal representation.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Legal Representation at its best

Posted by

I came across John Nelson on the internet while recovering from a brief but disappointing association with another attorney who had assured me I had no case. Determined not to capitulate and knowing I had sustained a legitimate loss, I called John Nelson. Mr. Nelson's assessment of my issue was very different from what I had previously been told. What impressed me most was Mr. Nelson's understanding of the wrong I had endured as well as his desire to obtain fairness and justice for me. After lengthily discussion of the details of my case we did, eventually, get around to discussing terms of service matters which I found completely satisfactory and reasonable and with no unforeseen financial risk to myself. While the potential financial benefit of prevailing in my case was at best modest, Mr. Nelson non-the-less pursued the case with persistence and determination and in the end did prevail. I received great satisfaction in my association with Mr. Nelson, not only because we prevailed but also because I have no doubt Mr. Nelson feels , as I do, that fairness and justice are obtainable and are, in fact their own rewards. John William Nelson is highly recommended.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Consulted regarding vendor problems

Posted by

I have a minor problem with an International vendor that John has advised on in response to my e-mail inquiry. The advise was sound, well thought and very logically laid out. I do appreciate the time, patience and thoughtful advice provided. I will seriously consider using his services for anything applicable that comes up in the future. Thanks again John
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney

Fantastic FDCPA representation

Posted by

John did an outstanding job on my FDCPA case! I highly recommend him to anyone that needs a consumer attorney.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Collection Debt Dismissed with Prejudice

Posted by

I contacted Nelson Law Chambers because I was dealing with a very spiteful collections agency. John was very professional and thorough. His in-depth knowledge of the law and how it relates to my case resulted in my case being dismissed with prejudice without me having to ever set foot in a court-room. He will take the time to explain the various option and point you in the direction that is best for you. He is very professional, but very relatable. He is also very trustworthy. I highly recommend John and his team.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Satisfied client

Posted by

I contacted Mr. Nelson about a credit card debt that had gone to collections. The collection agency was over zealous in attempting to collect the debt. Mr. Nelson contacted the agency and was able to negotiate a settlement payment from them. He also negotiated a full release with the company holding the debt. He stayed in contact with me and kept me updated throughout these procedures. I am very satisfied with his services.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

A lawyer you can trust !

Posted by

John W. Nelson represented my wife and me in a few magistrate court cases. We were extremely satisfied with how John represented us and resolved each case. John is a very thorough and competent professional who always had our best interests in mind. He is prompt, reliable and results oriented. John is a great communicator and a partner you can trust!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney
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Attorney endorsements

(17)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Brent Snyder, Chapter 7 bankruptcy Attorney on Apr 30, 2020
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I have spoken with John over the years many times and recently had the pleasure of working a case together (which we got a great result for our client). John is both a fantastic attorney and a down to earth easy to talk to person. I will continue to recommend him to anyone in his area.

Randall Carver, Chapter 13 bankruptcy Attorney on Jan 11, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I unreservedly recommend Mr. Nelson. Mr. Nelson fights tirelessly for his clients, who are often disadvantaged and victimized.

P. Justin Thrailkill, Divorce and separation Attorney on Feb 23, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

John is highly skilled in consumer protection and debt settlement. In my divorce cases, I oftentimes find clients who are in difficult financial straits. I send every one of them to John when they need help. I am happy to endorse John Nelson.

Tashia Zeigler, Consumer protection Attorney on Nov 7, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

John is a brilliant attorney who serves consumers in Georgia well.

Clifford Carlson, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Nov 1, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

John is one of the best, if not the best, consumer protection litigators I know. Anytime I have a question or need help on a matter, he is the guy I call.

John Miller, Divorce and separation Attorney on Aug 18, 2017
Relationship: Supervised lawyer

John was my law clerk before he was an attorney, and I was incredibly impressed with his work ethic. After law school, I was John's mentor. I was particularly impressed at how his questions always centered around his clients and what was in his clients' best interests. John has a real passion for law and for helping people in need. When he takes on a case, his client can be assured that he will be passionate about his representation. Any person seeking an attorney would do well to hire John.

Benjamin Lilly, Divorce and separation Attorney on Aug 18, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I've known John for a long time, and strongly endorse him. Anytime a client has a debt collection issue (which is more often than you might expect), I send them his way. They've all given really positive feedback about John.

Orion Webb, Business Attorney on Jul 5, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

John is well-versed in and passionate about consumer protection. He is always pushing hard for his clients' interests, and is a useful asset to others in the field.

Megan Jones, Litigation Attorney on Sep 27, 2016
Relationship: Worked for lawyer

I worked as Mr. Nelson's associate attorney for over one year and there is not enough glowing remarks I can make on Mr. Nelson's behalf. First and foremost, Mr. Nelson is a professional and works tirelessly for his clients to ensure they get the best results possible. Second, Mr. Nelson is a people person and is a compassionate advocate for his clients. Third, Mr. Nelson loves talking to his clients and providing not only top notch legal services but also counsels his clients because he truly cares. Fourth, Mr. Nelson is a ruthless, dogged attorney whose name and reputation among debt collection lawyers is one to be taken seriously. Finally, Mr. Nelson loves his work. He is one of if not the smartest lawyers I have ever had the privilege to work under and the lessons he bestowed upon me are ones I intend to carry forward for the remainder of my legal profession. So, if you want an advocate who will ignore you or treat you with disrespect, Mr. Nelson is not the lawyer for you.

Alex Merritt, Personal injury Attorney on Aug 31, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

John is one of the most tenacious lawyers I know. He is hard-working, highly intelligent, and dogged in his pursuit of getting the right results for his clients. I would not hesitate to recommend John to any of my friends or family as I know he will do a great job.

J. Salata, Family Attorney on May 26, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

John is one of the most talented and brilliant lawyers in his field who brings the benefits of energy, enthusiasm and experience in zealous representation of his clients. John is our "go to" guy for all debt settlement and business litigation issues.

John Lippincott, General practice Attorney on May 20, 2016
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

I have worked with John on quite a few cases and I found him to be hard working, compassionate, and a true advocate for his clients. Not only is he a good lawyer, but he is a good person who will fight for his clients.

William Carlisle, Contracts and agreements Attorney on Jan 19, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

John has all three of the qualities I most admire in attorneys; curiosity, enthusiasm and tenacity. We both practice in the general area of defending debt collection and consumer protection and I am often impressed in our conversations with his grasp of the issues and the knowledge he has acquired regarding the collection industry and the motives and practices of debt collectors. Attorneys cannot guarantee the outcome of lawsuits, but they can guarantee the quality of the work to be performed. You are in good hands with John.

James Griffin, Probate Attorney on Jan 19, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter

John is an energetic defender and advocate who has great curiosity. He is thorough and likes to learn everything about a topic in order to be prepared for whatever the other side throws at him. He has the brains and inquisitive nature necessary to practice in intellectual property. He has the competitive spirit necessary to win at trial. He loves to laugh, so working with him is a pleasure.

Andrea Gray, Government Attorney on Jan 4, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I worked with John on several litigation matters, general local government representation and debt collection defense. John is an exceptional transactions attorney and a tenacious litigator. The combination of these skills makes him the ideal counsel for local and international businesses. John is passionate about the law and devoted to achieving the best results for his clients. His character and ethics are superior. I enjoyed working with John and endorse him for his expertise in Business, Litigation, and Debt Settlement.

Daniel DeWoskin, Personal injury Attorney on Oct 10, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter

John is a fine advocate for each and every client. He has a working knowledge of the law and a thirst for cutting edge expertise in every case he is working on. He is a tireless fighter and is well respected by his colleagues and his opposing counsel.

Brad Howell, Tax Attorney on Oct 24, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

From my years of having known John since law school, I can say that I have been consistently impressed with his drive not to only remain up to date with complex changes in laws, but to also disseminate knowledge to the public through his publications. I would definitely recommend John to friends and family.

Cost

RATES
  • Hourly Rates$150-$350/hour
  • Free Consultation Some lawyers offer a free consultation to help determine whether their services are right for your legal needs60 minutes
OTHER BILLING TYPES
  • Contingency A contingency fee is the percent of the final award a lawyer will receive as compensation. For some of these cases, lawyers will only be paid if there is a successful outcome.10%-45%
  • Pro-bono Many lawyers provide free legal help to low-income clients. The percent listed indicates how much of a lawyer's practice is pro bono work.10%
PAYMENT METHODS

Cash, Check, Credit Card

Legal guides written by John Nelson

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