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
- Consumer protection: 45%
I sue debt collectors for violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and other consumer protection laws.
10 years
- 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.
10 years
- 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.
10 years
- 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.
10 years
- 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.
10 years
Languages spoken
English
Resume
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC | Active | 2010 | 10/14/2017 |
| GA | Active Member in Good Standing | 2008 | 08/04/2019 |
| TN | Active | 2008 | 09/21/2019 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| The Order of Barristers | Cumberland Law School Chapter | 2008 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Managing Member | The Nelson Law Chambers LLC | 2011 - Present |
| General Counsel | Professional Boundaries, Inc. | 2010 - 2011 |
| Attorney | The Law Offices of Wm. Thomas Craig | 2009 - 2010 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Bar Association | Chair of the Consumer Law Section | 2017 - Present |
| National Association of Consumer Advocates | Member | 2014 - Present |
| Gwinnett County Bar Association | Member | 2012 - Present |
| District of Columbia Bar | Member | 2010 - Present |
| State Bar of Georgia | Member | 2008 - Present |
| North Fulton Bar Association | Member | 2012 - 2013 |
|---|
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 36 Okla. City U. L. Rev. (forthcoming) | A Virtual Property Solution: How Privacy Law Can Protect the Citizens of Virtual Worlds | 2011 |
| 41 McGeorge L. Rev. 281 | The Virtual Property Problem: What property rights in virtual resources might look like, how they might work, and why they are a bad idea | 2010 |
| 14 Journal of Technology Law & Policy 5 | Fiber Optic Foxes: Virtual objects and virtual worlds through the lens of Pierson v. Post and the Law of Capture | 2009 |
| 31 American Journal of Trial Advocacy 137 | Border Confidential: Why Searches of Laptop Computers at the Border Should Require Reasonable Suspicion | 2007 |
| Lex Technologiae | The Law & Technology Blog | N/A |
| Georgia Credit Lawsuits | Georgia Credit Lawsuits Blog | N/A |
|---|
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| University of East Anglia, Norwich School of Law | LL.M. | 2010 |
| Samford University, Cumberland School of Law | J.D. | 2008 |
| University of Georgia | A.B. | 2003 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Tools for Information Literary Class | Choosing Open Source Copyright Licenses | 2015 |
| Association for Law, Property, and Society 2011 Conference | The Law and the Meaning of Mine | 2013 |
| Instructional Technology Librarian Course | Copyright: Or how I learned to stop worrying and love the Law | 2009 |
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Wiggins v. Lazega & Johanson LLC et al | Settled Confidentially |
| John v. Cooling & Winter LLC et al | Settled Confidentially |
| Werdelin v. Greene & Cooper LLP et al | Settled confidentially |
| Pena v. Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC | Settled Confidentially |
| Pagan v. Andrews & Cox, P.C. et al | Settled confidentially |
| Moodie v. HOA Capital Advisors LLC et al | Settled Confidentiality |
|---|---|
| Oppenheimer v. Maestro Music, Inc. et al | Settled Confidentiality |
| Gatlin v. Unifund CCR LLC et al | Settled Confidentially |
| Cavalry Portfolio Services LLC v. Mahfuz | Settled before trial |
| Gemini Capital Group LLC v. Mercer | Settled before trial |
The absolute best attorney, hands down!
Posted by Pam
Fri Jun 07 2019
Hire this lawyer!
Posted by Monica S.
Mon Apr 09 2018
Attorney endorsements
(16)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
- 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
- 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%
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