Nelson is a litigation attorney with an emphasis in the areas of workers' compensation, the Federal Longshore and Harbor Workers' Act, employment and labor law, insurance defense, mediation, and family law. His practice involves representation of employers and defendants throughout the state of Maine and national insurance companies. He has lectured frequently to diverse groups on employers' and insurers' rights in the workplace, with an emphasis on litigation techniques, return-to-work efforts, and the interaction of employers and medical care professionals. Nelson also has significant experience representing clients in the area of family law and divorce matters.

Nelson is from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and graduated from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he co-founded and edited The Allegheny Review, a national literary review for undergraduates. While in law school, he was editor-in-chief of the Ohio State Journal on Dispute Resolution, a law review focused on mediation, arbitration and alternative processes for settling disputes.

Nelson was Chairperson of Regional School Unit #5 (Freeport, Durham, Pownal) for seven years and is currently the Chairperson of the Freeport Shellfish Commission. He is also a Diversity 1L summer associate program board member.

Nelson lives in Freeport with his wife, Karin.