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Doug Nelson

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Avvo Rating8.1
  • Chicago, IL
  • Licensed for 11 years
  • Free consultation
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About Doug

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.

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Practice areas

BusinessTrustsWills and living willsProbate
  1. Probate: 50%

    Estates of the deceased, with or without wills, which required probate court to be properly administered.

    11 years

  2. Wills and living wills: 20%

    This includes advising, drafting, and reviewing these estate planning documents.

    11 years

  3. Trusts: 20%

    This includes advising, drafting, and reviewing these estate planning documents.

    11 years

  4. Business: 10%

    Primarily small business formation, document drafting, and occasional work with business intellectual property.

    11 years

Languages spoken

English

Contact

180 N LaSalle St Ste 3700
address map

The Law Office of Doug Nelson, P.C.

180 N LaSalle St Ste 3700
Chicago, IL, 60601-2809

      Resume

      License
      StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
      ILActive And Authorized To Practice Law200912/06/2020
      We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
      Avvo Contributions
      Legal answers75
      Legal guides5
      Awards
      Award nameGrantorDate granted
      Environmental Law CertificateLewis & Clark Law School2008
      Public Interest Law CertificateLewis & Clark Law School2008
      Work Experience
      TitleCompany nameDuration
      PrincipalThe Law Office of Doug Nelson, PC2009 - Present
      Clinical Student AttorneyPacific Environmental Advocacy Center (currently called Earthrise)2007 - 2008
      Summer Judicial Internship - The Honorable Diane Joan LarsenCook County Circuit Court2007 - 2007
      Associations
      Association namePosition nameDuration
      Chicago Volunteer Legal ServicesRegular volunteer attorney2013 - Present
      Illinois State Bar AssociationMember2010 - Present
      Chicago Estate Planning CouncilMember2014 - 2016
      Chicago Bar AssociationMember2010 - 2015
      Education
      School nameDegreeGraduated
      Lewis & Clark Law SchoolJD - Juris Doctor2008
      University of IllinoisBS - Bachelor of Science2000
      Speaking Engagements
      Conference nameTitleDate
      Estate Planning and ProbateEstate Planning and Probate2018
      "Pizza and Probate"The Basics of Illinois Probate2018
      Legal cases
      Case nameOutcome
      50+ decedent's estates throughought Cook, Lake, DuPage, Will, McHenry, Kane, Kendall, & Kankakee CountiesEstates Administered

      Reviews

      (17)
      5 Star
      		100%
      4 Star
      		0%
      3 Star
      		0%
      2 Star
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      1 Star
      		0%
      Review Doug Nelson

      Best Legal Advise

      Posted by

      I worked with Doug multiple times to update my will. I appreciated his attention to detail and expertise. He listened to my wishes and was able to clearly communicate throughout the process. I strongly recommend Doug law services.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Dedicated and Helpful

      Posted by

      Through the long and drawn-out process of my family's case, he was very supportive and insightful during that rough time. He made sure everything was handled professionally and with efficiency. Left no stone unturned to get what we needed to be done.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Jason

      Posted by

      I can not say enough good things about Doug! From helping me personally, to helping my family through a hard fought estate distribution, Doug kept us well informed of the processes and proceedings during a very scary and tough time. I NEVER hesitate to recommend Doug to anyone that needs help with their family affairs. Personable, knowledgeable, and tough! An excellent attorney!
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Very Pleased

      Posted by

      After interviewing 3 other lawyers, I hired Doug Nelson to assist me with the preparation of several end-of-life documents. What set him apart was his ability to listen attentively to my needs and communicate clearly with me regarding the steps necessary to achieve my objectives. Over the span of several months he's worked with me to prepare a Living Trust, two Powers of Attorney and a Disposition-of-Remains form. During this time he has continually made himself available for my many questions and has patiently taken the time to answer those questions in a thorough manner, I've always been able to reach him and, if it was necessary for him to call me back, I've seldom had to wait more than an hour or two. Doug presents a positive and energetic attitude and always seems to be in a good mood, making it very easy to work with him. I am extremely happy with the product he has produced for me. I would highly recommend Doug Nelson to anyone who might have a need for his expertise and who would also like to be well-treated in the process.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Trustworthy

      Posted by

      Doug is respectful, trustworthy, efficient, detailed. I approached Doug with a question about a will, without hesitation he started to help me, his advice was thorough. I hired him on the spot to take care of my most personal, painful time in my life. All was tied up very quickly. He is top notch. I will reach out to him anytime I need advice, highly recommend his service.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Great Lawyer

      Posted by

      My husband and I decided we needed to have wills done for both of us but we didn't have a good lawyer so we googled great lawyer in our area and it pulled up Doug Nelson It had said he'd gotten 5 stars We were very lucky to have found him and we totally agree he deserves the 5 star reviews Doug is friendly , knowledgable , trustworthy, respectful, patient, and kind ! Doug asked what was important to us and he led us thru a series of questions and he took care of everything after that He was always available to answer any questions we had . We are extremely happy with ours Wills he created for us and would trust him to update the wills if needed I would highly recommend him
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Highly recommend

      Posted by

      Doug was very generous, careful, thorough, and expedient but patient when necessary. I wouldn’t hesitate to suggest someone utilize his services.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Family Will

      Posted by

      I hired Doug to creat a family will. With Doug’s professionalism I had a very educational and positive experience. Doug provided options and examples so that a will could be created that was very tailored to my family needs. I will continue to use Doug for all of my legal advice and services.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Dave

      Posted by

      Doug is extremely thorough and helped to go above and beyond all expectations. He did an amazing job working out our complicated trust distribution. He traveled out of state for meetings and was even willing to meet locally at our house. He’s quick to return calls, answer questions and provides easily understandable terms and language when explaining technical details. Highly recommended and will request his services if needed again in the future!
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Super Professional

      Posted by

      Doug was great for our family estate planning. He was friendly, patient, and detail oriented. He asked great questions, listening, and offering guidance to help us make our sensitive decisions. Highly recommend.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney
      See all reviews

      Attorney endorsements

      (10)
      Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

      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.

      Naeem Nulwala

      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!

      Cost

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        • Free Consultation Some lawyers offer a free consultation to help determine whether their services are right for your legal needs60 minutes