$ 450-495 per hour
Thomas J. Nellessen
Senior Attorney | Johnson Law Group | Colorado Family Law Attorney
I am Thomas J. Nellessen, a Colorado attorney and Senior Attorney with Johnson Law Group, where I focus on helping individuals and families navigate some of life's most challenging legal circumstances.
My practice emphasizes divorce, complex marital property division, high-asset divorce, child custody and parenting time disputes, child support, spousal maintenance, post-decree modifications, and other contested family law matters.
Throughout my legal career, I have represented clients facing emotionally difficult and financially significant legal disputes. I understand that divorce and family law litigation involve much more than legal documents and courtroom proceedings. These cases affect families, children, financial security, and the future.
My approach combines careful legal analysis, strategic preparation, practical problem-solving, and strong advocacy. I believe clients deserve an attorney who listens, communicates clearly, explains their options, and develops a legal strategy tailored to their individual circumstances.
I have a particular interest in complex divorce litigation involving business interests, substantial marital assets, retirement accounts, real estate holdings, disputed financial disclosures, and difficult parenting disputes. Whether a case can be resolved through negotiation and mediation or requires contested litigation, my objective is to protect my client's interests while pursuing a practical and legally sound resolution.
Having returned to Johnson Law Group as a Senior Attorney, I am pleased to continue serving Colorado families with the resources of an established family law firm and a commitment to personalized legal representation.
I represent clients throughout the Denver metropolitan area and surrounding Colorado communities, including Douglas, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Denver, Adams, Boulder, Broomfield, and other Front Range counties.
My philosophy is straightforward: every client deserves preparation, honest communication, thoughtful legal strategy, and an attorney who takes their concerns seriously.
If you are facing divorce, a complex property dispute, a child custody disagreement, or another family law matter, I welcome the opportunity to discuss your circumstances and help you understand your legal options.
3
Practice Areas
35 years | 275 cases
35 years | 2,000 cases
35 years | 500 cases
$ 450-495 per hour
State: Colorado
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
3773 Cherry Creek Drive North, Suite 801, East Tower, Denver, CO, 80209
2139 Chuckwagon Road, Suite 210, Colorado Springs, CO, 80919
13599 East 104th Avenue, Suite 300, Commerce City, CO, 80022
385 Inverness Parkway, Suite 250, Englewood, CO, 80112
2580 East Harmony Road, Suite 201, Fort Collins, CO, 80528
3838 North Ravenswood Avenue, Office 231, Chicago, IL, 60613
109 East 17th Street, Suite 6167, Cheyenne, WY, 82001
16 Client Reviews
Showing 16 - 16 of 16 reviews
Posted by Ric | September 15, 2012
Great DUI Attorney
Tom works by himself so he can keep his rates lower than the big offices. He was able to get my DWAI reduced to a reckless driving, which will be off my record in a few years.
Thank you for the kind words. I wish you the best.
"There’s a reason clients come back to Attorney Nellessen, he doesn’t just handle cases, he builds trust. His sharp thinking and measured approach make every case stronger. A cornerstone of our litigation team at Johnson Law Group."
"Tom is an extremely passionate about helping people both in his career and on his own free time. He is very knowledgeable, level headed, and takes the time to listen to his clients. Tom analyzes cases from the other prospective, looking at all sides of a case to avoid any surprises and holes in his theory. These attributes makes his advice and recommendations trustworthy and solid. It has been a pleasure working with Tom."
"I have had the pleasure of working with Tom Nellessen. He is Of Counsel in the same firm where I work in a similar capacity. I have had many occasions to review cases with him. Tom has many years of experience and a really good feel for how to handle cases. He is well regarded by prosecutors, judges and other members of the defense bar. He works his cases to obtain just outcomes for his clients."
"I have spent much time over the years speaking to Mr. Nellessen about many legal issues. He is a knowledgable, confident, experienced attorney worthy of the respect and esteem he commands in the legal community."
"I've known Tom professionally for 28 years, having first met him when I was a young DA in Douglas County. Tom was then and is today an extremely gifted advocate and leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice for his client. He has my highest endorsement."
"If your in trouble with the law you need a lawyer with knowledge, experience and the know how to get things done. You can find many lawyers to take your case but if you need to Win you only have one choice Thomas J. Nellessen, Esq. I endorse him."
"I am honored to endorse Mr. Nellessen. He is one of the most professional, committed, and talented attorneys in our community. He is dedicated to forging strong client relationships and is committed to going above and beyond in representing his clients. He is highly respected for his litigations skills and I highly recommend him."
"I endorse this lawyer. Tom know criminal law! He is honest, aggressive, and hard working. I've worked cases with him, and even after representing over 3500 clients, Tom taught me a few things about bettering myself as an attorney! I'd hire Tom for myself!"
"Few individuals come close to approaching the kind of intelligence and integrity in the practice of Colorado criminal law than Tom Nellessen. Tom is well known and well respected for the lengths he will go to aggressively advocate for his clients. He is not only admired by his colleagues in his field - he is admired and respected by the many Colorado judges in the criminal courts all over Colorado. Tom is the man I choose to consult when I have a particularly difficult criminal question - his thinking is clear - his advice sound - his counsel wise. I wholly endorse Tom as a man of unquestionable character - and I endorse him without reservation.. H. Michael Steinberg"
"Tom is a stellar courtroom attorney, blessed with skill, talent and personality which make him uniquely qualified for criminal defense. Importantly, I also know Tom to be a person of unassailable character. I would not hesitate to refer friends and family members to Tom, and I endorse him in the highest possible terms."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known and watched Tom represent clients sucessfully for 25 years. He is respected within the legal community by Judges, district attorneys and lawyers. His dedication to acheiving justice is always his focus. Tom gives his all helping people in need, and they are fortunate to have hired Tom to represent them."
"Attorney Thomas Nellessen is a dedicated professional who will aggressively fight for his clients. He is highly respected by his colleagues as well as current and former clients. He is an asset to our legal profession."
"I endorse this lawyer. Tom is an experienced and well regarded trial lawyer who will both listen to you and work hard to achieve your goals as a client."
"I endorse this lawyer. From Mr. Nellessen's detailed and thoughtful answers, he proves that he is an excellent attorney and that you would be well-served with his representation."
Insurance lawyer
Family lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
2020
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2017
Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
Notable, Martindale-Hubbell
2015
Notable, Martindale-Hubbell
1991 - 2024
Owner, Nellessen Law Office
2014 - Present
DUI Defense Lawyers AssociationMember
2012 - Present
Douglas/Elbert County Bar AssociationMember
1991 - Present
Colorado Bar AssociationMember
1991 - Present
Colorado Criminal Defense Bar AssociationMember
2019 - 2020
National Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
Not Guilty
Not Guilty DUI, Not Guilty DWAI, Guilty Careless Driving
Cased Dismissed
Case Dismissed
Not Guilty on All Charges
1990
JD - Juris Doctor
N/A
None at this time.
English
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Ex wife denied visitation, If I see him later this summer, is it still a violation?
08 Jun 2025
My parenting time start the second week of summer break. It's confusing to me
24 Apr 2025
What will happen if my wife forges my signature on an insurance claim check during a divorce?
20 Apr 2025