David Alan Nelson

David Alan Nelson

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 39 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Bellingham, WA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense

301 Prospect St, Bellingham, WA

About David

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Criminal Defense 100%

All Felony and Misdemeanor cases. Federal felony and misdemeanor cases. Restoration of Gun Rights Vacation of Criminal Record Canadian Certificate of Rehabilitation

41 years

100%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 45 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check

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Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 39 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 1986

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of David Alan Nelson

301 Prospect St, Bellingham, WA, 98225-4001

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David Alan Nelson's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

8 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (8) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | Communication Style

Posted by Tom | March 31, 2010 | Business

Small business client

Mr. Nelson is our business attorney. He has a strong competence in the law, presents legal options in understandable terms and advises with a tangible loyalty to our business. He is personable, accessible, responsive and thorough. We know that Mr. Nelson is a life-long resident of the area and has... many business contacts inside and outside of the law who always speak highly of him. We feel fortunate to have found a true business partner and friend.

Posted by anonymous | March 25, 2010

He is EXCELLENT

Dave was there for me and my husband in a time when we needed him most. He was able to work with us just before we moved out of state within a very short amount of time. It was a high pressure time for us. He told us exactly what we needed to do, and he really knows his stuff. Anyone who is looki...ng for a great lawyer at a reasonable rate, he is your guy. Thanks Dave!

See All Client Reviews

David Alan Nelson's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse David
Sharon Deeanne Westergreen headshot
Sharon Westergreen

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 30

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I have worked extensively around David for years and observed his work on "both sides of the aisle" in criminal matters. As the Ferndale Prosecutor, David was firm, fair, smart, and honest. As a defense attorney in our community, David is all of those things as well, plus I have seen him be very intense, very passionate, and very hard-working. David is likable and caring; I can tell that he really cares about his clients."

Russell William Pritchett headshot
Russell Pritchett

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I strongly endorse David Nelson. As an immigration attorney, I often have clients for whom the outcome of a criminal prosecution will have consequences far beyond those of the normal criminal defendant, both for themselves and for their families. In a number of cases, I have referred such clients to Dave. Without fail he has devoted more than enough time to meet with the client and with me as the immigration counsel, in order to thoroughly understand the situation and then move forward to achieve, in my experience, extraordinary outcomes. Dave is particularly effective because his long experience and integrity make him capable of working well with prosecuting attorneys in order to achieve cooperative resolutions."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | May 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse David. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Mark Aaron Kaiman headshot
Mark Kaiman

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I strongly endorse this lawyer. I have known Dave Nelson for many years, and I have worked with him in his role as a prosecutor, and also as a colleague in the criminal defense bar. Dave is a very experienced litigator with tremendous legal acumen. What impresses me the most about Dave is his integrity and professionalism. He does an outstanding job for his clients. If I ever need an advocate, my first call would be to Dave Nelson."

Adrian Martinez Madrone headshot
Adrian Madrone

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Dave Nelson is leading figure in the Whatcom County legal community. I have gone to trial against him in his role as a prosecuting attorney, I have appeared in front of him in his role as pro tem judge, and I have acted as a supporting defense attorney under his leadership in a murder case. Dave has an amazing ability to regularly "change hats" and operate in a wide variety of different legal capacities. I am constantly impressed at how he handles his work with such great skill and dedication. Truly, I have learned a great deal from working with Mr. Nelson. I can say without reservation that anyone who hires Dave Nelson is in excellent hands."

Rajeev D Majumdar headshot
Rajeev Majumdar

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 07

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I have known Mr. Nelson in a number of ways: as a mentor who invited me to 2nd Chair a trial that he was the defense council for, as opposing counsel in his capacity as Ferndale prosecutor, as opposing counsel in my capacity as a prosecutor, and practicing in front of him when he serves as a judge. Over the years, I have learned that Mr. Nelson's lengthy experience on both defense and prosecution side of criminal law gives him a grasp of the process and practice that most attorneys will never achieve in a single lifetime."

Shawn B Alexander headshot
Shawn Alexander

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 04

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Nelson is an honorable man and I trust his judgement."

Robert A Kelly headshot
Robert Kelly

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly recommend and endorse Attorney David Nelson. I consistently refer my family law clients to his law firm for criminal matters, which is the highest compliment I can give another attorney. Not only is Mr. Nelson a highly ethical attorney, he works diligently to provide his clients with excellent service to achieve the best outcome possible. He has also worked as a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) on cases in which I represent a party, and I have found his work as a GAL to be equally impressive. Mr. Nelson was previously the President of the Whatcom County Bar Association, he serves on the board of directors for Lydia Place, and he often acts as a Pro Tem Judge in various municipal courts in Whatcom County. Because of his vase experience, I consider Mr. Nelson to be a knowledgeable resource, and I seek his valuable input on a regular basis."

Robert David Butler headshot
Robert Butler

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. I have known Dave for over decade as an attorney devoted to the best outcome of his client. He works relentlessly to make sure his client receives every possible advantage in any negotiation. Dave has a proven trial track record in both State court as well as Federal court criminal defense. Dave has a great reputation in the legal community as a person who is zealous and fair. Dave has the respect of the larger legal community as one of our past county bar association presidents."

James Charles Haigh headshot
James Haigh

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 20

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Dave and I shared a mutual client on a very sensitive case in which Dave handled the criminal representation. I was extremely impressed with Dave's professionalism and his compassionate handling of a very difficult matter. He is very knowledgeable and his wealth of experience shows in his ability to get the job done efficiently and successfully. Our client was extremely happy with the result. I was impressed with Dave's work and I know the client was very impressed as well. I highly recommend Dave and will refer clients to him without hesitation."

Michael P Brodsky headshot
Michael Brodsky

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Dave for a number of years and have always found him to be prepared, forthright and knowledgeable. I would have no hesitation recommending him to a friend or family member. He is a credit to the profession."

Jeffrey Alan Lustick headshot
Jeffrey Lustick

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have had the pleasure of knowing David Nelson for six years now. He has been a constant mentor to me and a leader in our local bar. He has served as President of the Whatcom County Bar Association and volunteers his time in the community. Dave is highly honest, fair, kind, and compassionate. He is good humored and easy for both clients and colleagues to work with. I really, really respect Dave and give him my highest recommendation. "

Katti Telstad Esp headshot
Katti Esp

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse David Nelson as a criminal defense attorney. David works diligently for his clients. He knows criminal law not just from the criminal defense aspect but also as a prosecutor and judge pro tem."

View All Endorsements
Gary Michael Rusing headshot
Gary Rusing

Personal injury lawyer

Mark Aaron Kaiman headshot
Mark Kaiman

Criminal defense lawyer

Sharon Deeanne Westergreen headshot
Sharon Westergreen

Criminal defense lawyer

Justin Rylan Campbell headshot
Justin Campbell

Criminal defense lawyer

Paula L McCandlis headshot
Paula McCandlis

Personal injury lawyer

Adrian Martinez Madrone headshot
Adrian Madrone

Criminal defense lawyer

Rajeev D Majumdar headshot
Rajeev Majumdar

Litigation lawyer

James Charles Haigh headshot
James Haigh

General practice lawyer

Robert David Butler headshot
Robert Butler

Criminal defense lawyer

Robert A Kelly headshot
Robert Kelly

Family lawyer

Thomas Henry Fryer headshot
Thomas Fryer

Criminal defense lawyer

Katti Telstad Esp headshot
Katti Esp

Elder law lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2008

Champions of Justice, Pro Bono Direct Representaiton Award, Whatcom County Bar Association

2005

Champions of Justice, Pro Bono Direct Representaiton Award, Whatcom County Bar Association

Work Experience

2006 - Present

Attorney, Law Office of David A. Nelson, P.S.

2005 - Present

Pro Tem Judge, Bellingham Municipal Court

2001 - 2006

Managing Partner, Nelson, Brinson, Thigpen & Fryer, P.S

1993 - 2000

Managning Partner, Nelson, Brinson & Elich, P.S.

1991 - 1992

Partner, Nelson & Brinson, P.S.

1986 - 1991

Senior Deputy Public Defender, Whatcom County Public Defender's Office

Associations

2000 - Present

Whatcom County Bar Association

WCBA News Letter Editorial Board

1988 - Present

Federal Bar, Washington State

Member

1986 - Present

Washington State Bar Association

Member

1986 - Present

Whatcom County Bar Association

Member

2001 - 2002

Whatcom County Bar Association

President

2000 - 2001

Whatcom County Bar Association

Vice-President

Education

1988

National Criminal Defense College

1986

University of Puget Sound School of Law

Juris Doctor

1983

Pacific Lutheran University

B.A. History / Political Science

Speaking Engagements

2010

CASA In-House Training

Court Room Testimony and Tactics

2009

Considering Content in Domestic Violence Cases, Forum for Defense and Prosecution

Domestic Violence Defense and Prosecution

1995

Second Annual DWI Legal Education Seminar

DUI Defense

1994

Whatcom Bar Assoc. Driving While Intoxicated CLE

DUI Defense

Languages

English

Activity

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