His legal practice focused on business and tax law. In the business area, he had considerable experience in acquisitions, mergers and dispositions of business entities, advising family-owned and other closely held businesses, providing succession planning advice to businesses and advising regarding executive compensation matters. In the tax area, he provided income and transfer tax planning to businesses and individuals. He had also served as the chair of the firm's Tax and Estates Department, the chair of the Taxation Section of the Indiana State Bar Association, and an officer of the Indiana Chapter of the National ESOP Association. In 2008, he was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel.
During his career, Nelson made numerous presentations to professional and industry groups on tax and business topics and wrote several articles on subjects related to his areas of practice. He also taught business and tax courses at Notre Dame Law School and accounting and tax courses at Indiana University.
Nelson was listed in The Best Lawyers in America' from its inception in 1983 through his retirement in 2013. In The Best Lawyers in America', he had been listed in two categories: corporate and tax. He also had been listed in Who's Who in American Law and Indiana Super Lawyers'. He was also presented with the Distinguished Barrister Award by the Indiana State Bar Association.
Nelson has also been active in numerous community, cultural and business organizations, including having served as a board member of the Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County, president of the board of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of St. Joseph County, president of the board of the South Bend Regional Museum of Art, board member of Free the Kids (a U.S. charity which supports Pwoje Espwa ' an orphanage and school located in Les Cayes, Haiti), and co-president and co-board chair of the Clubhouse of St. Joseph County. Nelson has received the Sagamore of the Wabash from the Governor of Indiana.
Nelson received his B.S., with honors, from Miami University in 1968. In 1971, he received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame Law School.
