James Patrick Nelson

James Patrick Nelson

also known as Pat Nelson, J. Patrick Nelson

4.8
Rating: 9.9

Licensed for 26 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Wheaton, IL
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Speeding & Traffic Ticket, Criminal Defense, Juvenile

1749 S. Naperville Road., Suite 105, Wheaton, IL

About James

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 70%

Child custody, visitation, child support, maintenance, distribution of marital assets, QDRO's, enforcement and modification.

70%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 275-275 per hour

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Illinois for 26 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 1999

Active and Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

Location

The Law Office of J. Patrick Nelson, PC

1749 S. Naperville Road., Suite 105, Wheaton, IL, 60189

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

James Patrick Nelson's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

13 Client Reviews

5 star (12)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (1)
1 star (0)

Posted by anonymous | June 11, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Queen

Honest. Always working toward a settlement. Very experienced. He and his staff go above and beyond.

Posted by John S. | November 23, 2020 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

The Gold Standard. Period.

Mr. Nelson, Patrick, was a perfect match for my needs at the time. He is compassionate without coddling. His staff, Debbie, is incredibly helpful and kind. My experience with Patrick and Debbie made a difficult time much easier to cope with and achieve an outcome I was greatly satisfied with. Should ...I need counsel again, Patrick is in my contacts!!

Posted by Debbie | March 17, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Honest and dependable

I hired Pat for a modification of child support case that I planned on representing myself in court. His expertise and guidance was exactly what I needed during an emotionally stressful time. The whole process was seamless and completed in a very timely manner. I will definitely use Pat in the future... without a doubt.

Posted by Patrick | March 16, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Visitation

Pat Nelson is a very experienced and talented lawyer as I am extremely pleased with his services provided in prompt, successful and affordable manner. I would highly recommend Pat Nelson as he continued to update me and reassure me during the court process. 5 stars!! Wonderful job Pat Nelson.

Posted by Kevin | December 6, 2015 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Excellent Experience - super thankful!

Pat was able to quickly assess what was technically a potentially complex set of circumstances...circumstances that had major consequences for our teenaged son. Pat was knowledgable, knew the local system and showed great aplomb in representing us. In fact, at one point - while in court - the judge... publicly commended Pat for being a good lawyer. Part of that may have been posturing but it's nonetheless true. This specific case called for the utmost patience, and Pat went the extra-mile and showed a commitment to the big picture: a family in turmoil. What I found most impressive was Pat's genuine compassion on a human level. He related well to us as parents, but also took the time to really understand where our son was at and what was challenging him. High marks for Pat!

See All Client Reviews

James Patrick Nelson's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse James
Sean Martin Mccumber headshot
Sean Mccumber

Family lawyer | Apr 09

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with Pat on several contentious divorce matters. He has maintained the utmost professionalism and courtesy. He is willing to find creative solutions to problems. Plus, he is timely and responsive, which is important in our contentious area of law."

Rosemary Messineo Kostopoulos headshot
Rosemary Kostopoulos

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 20

Relationship: Co-worker

"Pat Nelson is an attorney that I happily endorse, as an upstanding member of the legal community and a strong advocate for clients."

Joe Messineo headshot
Joe Messineo

Divorce and separation lawyer | Apr 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Pat Nelson is a top notch attorney who is well respected by the entire legal community. This is an attorney that I would trust my family members and closest friends to, and whom I proudly endorse!"

Kostas Kostopoulos headshot
Kostas Kostopoulos

Divorce and separation lawyer | Apr 18

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Pat Nelson is a great lawyer with formidable legal skills; strongly liked and respected by the lawyers and judges in the legal community. This is an attorney that I absolutely endorse!"

Amanda Waechter headshot
Amanda Waechter

Divorce and separation lawyer | Sep 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Pat is very knowledgeable and easy to talk to. He works hard for his clients. Always professional and polite."

Patricia Ann Fox headshot
Patricia Fox

Family lawyer | May 02

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Pat is a lawyer's lawyer. He is knowledgeable, polite, and prepared. He is well-liked and respected by attorneys and judges alike."

Ann Marie Lampariello-Perez headshot
Ann Lampariello-Perez

Family lawyer | May 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Pat is always willing to do what is needed for his clients. He quickly sees the issues and performs well, always getting what is best for his client. I endorse this lawyer."

Michael R Hudzik headshot
Michael Hudzik

Divorce and separation lawyer | Aug 20

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Maria Vanessa Favia headshot
Maria Favia

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jul 30

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

John Patrick Casey headshot
John Casey

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jul 02

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have known Mr. Nelson for 15 years. He is as professional and knowledgeable as you will find in the practice of law. He is my first go-to reference for family law questions. Top rate representation on complex and involved matters."

Deborah Annette Carder headshot
Deborah Carder

Divorce and separation lawyer | May 28

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Pat is a hardworking, knowledgeable attorney. I highly recommend him to any person needing a family law or criminal lawyer."

Chantelle Arie Porter headshot
Chantelle Porter

Family lawyer | May 26

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Pat is a zealous advocate for his client. He always showed great professionalism."

Stephen Allen Brundage headshot
Stephen Brundage

Criminal defense lawyer | May 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Matthew M. Williams headshot
Matthew Williams

Divorce and separation lawyer | May 26

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Patrick has a great understanding of the law. He advocates for his client extremely well. Patrick has a fluid, working knowledge of all facts and issues in his cases."

Christa M. Winthers headshot
Christa Winthers

Family lawyer | May 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Pat is a great attorney. I highly recommend him."

Brian Keith LaFratta headshot
Brian LaFratta

Criminal defense lawyer | May 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Pat Nelson is an experienced and effective criminal defense and family law attorney. I highly recommend him. I have referred matters to him in the past and will continue to do so."

Maurice Burnell Holman headshot
Maurice Holman

Family lawyer | May 06

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. He is an extremely kind and conscientious attorney who makes it his business to make sure his client is given the best possible legal service."

Terra Costa Howard headshot
Terra Howard

Guardianship lawyer | May 05

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have worked with Pat over the years in both family law and guardianship cases. He was an honest and a true professional throughout the entire case even when it was very contentious. As a guardian ad litem, I appreciated his approach with his client and yet respected my position regarding the child."

Lawrence James Gregory headshot
Lawrence Gregory

Family lawyer | Apr 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Extremely knowledgable in the areas of family and criminal law."

View All Endorsements
Kostas Kostopoulos headshot
Kostas Kostopoulos

Criminal defense lawyer

Amanda Waechter headshot
Amanda Waechter

Criminal defense lawyer

Maria Vanessa Favia headshot
Maria Favia

Family lawyer

Chantelle Arie Porter headshot
Chantelle Porter

Divorce and separation lawyer

Patricia Ann Fox headshot
Patricia Fox

Divorce and separation lawyer

Deborah Annette Carder headshot
Deborah Carder

Divorce and separation lawyer

Brian Keith LaFratta headshot
Brian LaFratta

Employment and labor lawyer

Lawrence James Gregory headshot
Lawrence Gregory

Estate planning lawyer

Sean Martin Mccumber headshot
Sean Mccumber

Divorce and separation lawyer

David N. Schaffer headshot
David Schaffer

Divorce and separation lawyer

Matthew M. Williams headshot
Matthew Williams

Divorce and separation lawyer

John Patrick Casey headshot
John Casey

Criminal defense lawyer

Maurice Burnell Holman headshot
Maurice Holman

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.9 (Superb)

Honors

2017

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2016

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2016

Top Lawyer, The Global Directory of Who's Who

Work Experience

2010 - Present

Attorney, Law Office of J. Patrick Nelson PC

2015 - 2019

Partner, Casey Nelson, LLP

2005 - 2010

Associate, Beck Houlihan & Scott

2000 - 2006

Assistant Public Defender, Dupage County Public Defender's Office

1999 - 2000

Assistant Public Defender, Knox County Public Defender

Associations

2013 - Present

Rotary Club

Member

2005 - Present

DuPage County Bar Association

Member

2005 - Present

Illinois State Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

City v R.B.

Not Guilty

State vs. Oliver

case dismissed

State vs. R.B.

case reduced to petty offense

State vs. Harris

case dismissed

See More Legal Cases

Education

1999

John Marshall Law School, Chicago

JD - Juris Doctor

1996

Bradley University

BS - Bachelor of Science

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution