I strive to be approachable and straightforward, and as a client you will deal with me directly. I enjoy working with individuals, estates and businesses to get legal results in a timely fashion, particularly during trying times for families.
I hold a BS from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a JD from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon. I am licensed in Illinois and a member of the Illinois State Bar Association. I am also proud to volunteer with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, which provides free legal services to lower-income individuals.
Before law school, I worked as a marine biologist in Alaska, collecting fisheries data for the federal government aboard commercial fishing vessels between 59' and 270' in length. I currently live with my family near Chicago and enjoy distance biking, traveling, and reading.
Practice areas
Estates of the deceased, with or without wills, which required probate court to be properly administered.
11 years
This includes advising, drafting, and reviewing these estate planning documents.
11 years
This includes advising, drafting, and reviewing these estate planning documents.
11 years
Primarily small business formation, document drafting, and occasional work with business intellectual property.
11 years
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
IL | Active And Authorized To Practice Law | 2009 | 12/06/2020 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Environmental Law Certificate | Lewis & Clark Law School | 2008 |
Public Interest Law Certificate | Lewis & Clark Law School | 2008 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Principal | The Law Office of Doug Nelson, PC | 2009 - Present |
Clinical Student Attorney | Pacific Environmental Advocacy Center (currently called Earthrise) | 2007 - 2008 |
Summer Judicial Internship - The Honorable Diane Joan Larsen | Cook County Circuit Court | 2007 - 2007 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services | Regular volunteer attorney | 2013 - Present |
Illinois State Bar Association | Member | 2010 - Present |
Chicago Estate Planning Council | Member | 2014 - 2016 |
Chicago Bar Association | Member | 2010 - 2015 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Lewis & Clark Law School | JD - Juris Doctor | 2008 |
University of Illinois | BS - Bachelor of Science | 2000 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Estate Planning and Probate | Estate Planning and Probate | 2018 |
"Pizza and Probate" | The Basics of Illinois Probate | 2018 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
50+ decedent's estates throughought Cook, Lake, DuPage, Will, McHenry, Kane, Kendall, & Kankakee Counties | Estates Administered |
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Jeffrey Gottlieb, Estate planning Attorney on Jun 1, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Doug is a highly respected, knowledgeable and collegial, and is always willing to discuss important issues with other attorneys.
Carlo D'Agostino, Real estate Attorney on May 26, 2020
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Doug and I had a more complicated real estate matter together. Doug was pleasant, skilled and knowledgeable, which made the challenges of our transaction easier to resolve and get through. I believe Doug represents the best of the legal profession, and I strongly endorse him.
Zachary Williams, Wills and living wills Attorney on May 24, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Doug is an excellent attorney. I refer clients to him for Wills and Estate planning. Call Doug you will be in great hands.
Doug Nelson is a dedicated attorney who goes above and beyond for his clients. In my experience with Doug, he works hard to understand his clients' issues and goals and then formulates a plan to address those issues and reach those goals. Throughout the process, Doug keeps his clients informed as to what the plan is, the reasoning for the plan, and the status of the execution of the plan. I genuinely trust that Doug will get the job done. When family and friends ask me for estate planning references, my first choice is Doug!
Robert Buchanan, Wills and living wills Attorney on May 17, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Doug is smart, experienced, and thorough. I have known him for five plus years as we share the same office suite. He strikes me as one of the most honest, transparent, and down to earth attorneys I know. I have referred family and friends to him for estate planning and probate needs.
Matthew Kirsh, Probate Attorney on May 15, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I know Doug as both a fellow lawyer and as a client. Doug is knowledgeable and detail oriented. He asks all of the right questions so you can plan for future with confidence. I confidently refer clients, friends and family to Doug whenever there is a will, trust or other probate issue. As an added bonus, he is a really good guy.
Dean Taradash, Estate planning Attorney on May 14, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Abraham Matthew, Probate Attorney on May 11, 2020
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
I worked for Doug as a young law student, he was very detailed and took the time to serve his clients well. As a practicing attorney I have sent multiple clients to him for help and he has always gone above and beyond for each of them. Doug is the lawyer you want in your corner for probate and guardianship matters.
Steven Raminiak, Guardianship Attorney on Apr 21, 2020
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Doug is insightful, honest, and capable. I endorse this lawyer.
Paloma Holloman, Probate Attorney on Apr 14, 2020
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
I have known Doug for a few years and he is one of the most honest lawyers (and people) that I know. He consistently approaches his cases with a high level of integrity and prudence. The bonus is that he is very personable. He has been an incredible mentor and I'm glad to call him a friend!