Biographical Sketch -   Mr. Nelson earned his Bachelors degree in Political Science, Honors (2006) from the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana, and earned his Juris Doctorate (2009) from the University of Montana School of Law in Missoula, Montana. Mr. Nelson is a fourth generation Montanan growing up in Libby, Montana. Prior to beginning his undergraduate studies, he served in the United States Marine Corps infantry for four years and was honorably discharged in 2002.

Mr. Nelson is a member of both the Montana State Bar and the Wyoming State Bar. Mr. Nelson is also admitted to practice in federal courts in Montana and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Nelson has represented a number of individuals and non-profit organizations against the U.S. Forest Service advocating for shared access to public lands in NEPA litigation in Montana Federal Courts and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Nelson’s practice also includes representing clients in diverse complex litigation, including toxic tort, natural gas explosions and other environmental litigation. Mr. Nelson’s principal areas of practice include natural resources and environmental law and litigation.

Client Successes

• American Legion , et al. v NorthWestern Energy, et al. (2009); Bates, et al. v. NorthWestern Energy, et al. (2009); Bowman v. NorthWestern Energy, et al. (2009); Neishabouri, et al. v. NorthWestern Energy, et al. (2009); Rocking R Bar, et al. v. NorthWestern Energy, et al. (2009); Montana Trails Gallery, et al. v. NorthWestern Energy, et al. (2010). Mr. Nelson is on the six attorney team representing NorthWestern Energy in 30 lawsuits filed by approximately 87 claimants arising out the March 2009 natural gas explosion in downtown Bozeman, Montana resulting in one death and the destruction of several downtown businesses.
• Kerfoot, et al. v. Chevron USA, Inc., et al. (2008). Mr. Nelson was a member of the three attorney defense team that defended a Montana corporation in this toxic tort and environmental contamination case involving the former Texaco Sunburst Works Refinery in Sunburst, Montana. Obtained a highly favorable settlement prior to trial.
• Mr. Nelson has also represented a number of individuals and non-profit organizations against the U.S. Forest Service advocating for shared access to public lands in complex NEPA litigation in the United States District Court for the District of Montana and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.