Overview
Nicholas Nelson is an experienced litigator in the U.S. Supreme Court and appellate courts nationwide. He analyzes, briefs and solves complex legal doctrine issues for clients, on appeal and in the trial courts. Nick has substantive experience dealing with legal and strategic issues regarding forum selection and transfers when a defendant faces similar lawsuits in multiple jurisdictions.
Appellate Litigation
Nick has filed briefs in over 20 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court — at both the certiorari and merits stages and on behalf of petitioners, respondents, and amici curiae — and in numerous other cases before the U.S. Courts of Appeals and District Courts, as well as the Minnesota Supreme Court and Minnesota Court of Appeals.Nick has litigated appeals involving issues of immigration, statutory interpretation, publicity rights and more.
Past Experience
Prior to joining the firm, Nick practiced in Washington, D.C., focusing on litigation before the U.S. Supreme Court. Before the Supreme Court and other courts, Nick litigated the validity of Arizona's immigration enforcement law, the federal Defense of Marriage Act, the Affordable Care Act and South Carolina’s voter-identification law.Services & Industries
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Maryland
District of Columbia
Minnesota
Court Admissions
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Clerkships
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Hon. Thomas M. Hardiman, 2009-2010
U.S. District Court for the District of Eastern Michigan, Hon. Stephen J. Murphy, 2008-2009
Education
Notre Dame Law School
J.D. magna cum laude, Notre Dame Law Review (note editor) (2008)
St. Olaf College
B.A. in Economics, cum laude (2005)
Insights & Events
Latest
Insights
News
Other Perspectives
- Certiorari Practice in the U.S. Supreme Court
Chapter co-author, Eighth Circuit Appellate Practice Manual, 7th ed., 2016; 8th ed., forthcoming 2018 - New Developments in Personal Jurisdiction
Minnesota CLE Civil Litigator’s Annual Short Course, February 2018 - 8th Circuit Round-Up with Nicholas Nelson
Federalist Society, Minnesota Lawyers Chapter, September 2017 - Rely On Us: Encino Motorcars Reiterates Administrative Rule Changes Must Consider Reliance Interests
Minnesota CLE Webcast, September 2016 - U.S. Supreme Court Term Review
Corporate Counsel/Trade Regulation Seminar, Iowa State Bar Association, September 2013 and September 2014 - The Arizona Immigration Law
University of St. Thomas Federalist Society, Fall 2012 - SCOTUS Gets (More) Serious About Corporate Personal Jurisdiction: Bristol Myers Squibb v. Superior Court
ABA Mass Torts Litigation
Leadership & Community
Professional Associations
- Minnesota State Bar Association — Appellate Practice Section
Honors
- Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2021
- Minnesota Lawyer — Attorneys of the Year, 2015
- Minnesota Super Lawyers — Rising Star, Appellate, 2015-19
- Faegre Baker Daniels — Baker Benson Pro Bono Award, 2015, 2017; Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2014-19