Justin Nelson is a Houston native and a graduate of Yale University and Columbia Law School. Nelson works as a partner at Susman Godfrey LLP and is adjunct professor at The University of Texas School of Law. He clerked for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor of the United States Supreme Court and Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
On August 17, 2015, Nelson announced[1] [2] [3] [4] his candidacy for Texas Attorney General as part of the 2018 Texas Elections.
Education
editNelson received his undergraduate degree from the Yale University and his J.D. from Columbia Law School.
Non-profit Work
edit- Nelson is the founder and former president of One Nation One Vote, a non-profit dedicated to replacing the Electoral College with a national popular vote. Under the organization’s plan, that could be accomplished in time for the 2020 presidential election without a constitutional amendment if enough states agreed to cast their electoral votes for the national popular vote winner. If that process had applied in 2016, Hillary Clinton would be president.
- Prior to attending law school, Nelson spent four summers in Latin America leading education and public health projects with the Houston-based non-profit organization Amigos de las Americas.
Early Career
editNelson clerked for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor of the United States Supreme Court.
Nelson clerked for Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Career
editNelson is a practicing lawyer specializing in high-stakes civil litigation as a partner at Susman Godfrey LLP.
Nelson has served as Chair of the Economics of the Profession Committee in the American Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Division and is Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
He has practiced and taught constitutional law, and is an adjunct professor at The University of Texas School of Law.
Elections
edit2018 Texas Attorney General
editNelson is a democratic candidate for Texas Attorney General in the 2018 Texas Elections.
Nelson is challenging GOP incumbent Ken Paxton. Paxton has been indicted for criminal securities fraud.[5][6][7]
To date, no one is challenging Paxton in the Republican primary.
Timeline
edit- August 3, 2015
- A state grand jury indicted Ken Paxton on three criminal charges: two counts of securities fraud (a first-degree felony) and one count of failing to register with state securities regulators (a third-degree felony).[5][6][7]
- November 8, 2017
- Nelson announced[1] his candidacy on his campaign Facebook page[8]
- John Gibson, a Lubbock, Texas attorney who had considered running gave his support to Nelson stating, "Justin and I are so similar in vision that it makes no sense for both of us to run. Justin Nelson is the best person to defeat Ken Paxton and restore integrity to the office of Attorney General."[3]
Recognition
editNelson has been recognized as follows:
- John Ordronaux Prize - Highest Academic Average in Graduating Class
- James Kent Scholar - 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000
- World’s Leading Patent Practitioners - Intellectual Asset Management Magazine
- Texas Super Lawyer® - Thompson Reuters
- IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Practitioners - Intellectual Asset Management Magazine
Notable Cases
editNelson has served as lead council on the following cases:
- April 2017
- Obtained a jury verdict of over $50 million for his client Green Mountain Glass against Ardagh on a patent infringement matter involving recycled glass[9].
Articles & Publications
editNelson has authored the following articles and publications:
- Discrimination with a Difference: Can Employment Discrimination Law Accommodate the Americans with Disabilities Act? [10] - This paper analyzes the three recent ADA employment cases in the Supreme Court to highlight the unique features of the ADA.
Nelson served as a research assistant for the following articles:
- The Hydraulics of Campaign Finance Reform [11]
Discusses the influence of money on elections in the United States. Functional relationship between political spending and political success; Patterns of campaign spending on media advertising; Evaluation on how money corrupts the political process; Proposal for changes in campaign regulations. - Political Judgments [12]
Observations on the 2000 United States Presidential Election.
Personal Life
editNelson, 43, is the son of a Houston labor union lawyer and a travel agent.
Nelson and his wife live in Austin, Texas and are expecting their third child.
Official Links
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Justin Nelson for Attorney General Announcement". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2018-01-17.
- ^ "Austin attorney Justin Nelson announces for AG". www.houstonchronicle.com. Retrieved 2018-01-17.
- ^ a b "Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton draws first Democratic challenger for 2018". www.texastribune.com. Retrieved 2018-01-17.
- ^ "Austin Democrat Justin Nelson is running for attorney general". www.mystatesman.com. Retrieved 2018-01-17.
- ^ a b Herskovitz, Jon; Whitcomb, Dan (August 1, 2015). "Texas attorney general indicted by grand jury on fraud charges: reports". Reuters.
- ^ a b Lindell, Chuck (April 12, 2017). "Ken Paxton trial to begin in September, judge says". Austin American Statesman. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- ^ a b Weber, Paul J. (August 3, 2015). "Ken Paxton Indicted". Associated Press. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
- ^ "Justin Nelson for Attorney General Facebook Page". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2018-01-17.
- ^ Justin Nelson Bio
- ^ Discrimination with a Difference: Can Employment Discrimination Law Accommodate the Americans with Disabilities Act? by Samuel Issacharoff and Justin Nelson in North Carolina Law Review - Vol. 79, 2001
- ^ The Hydraulics of Campaign Finance Reform by Samuel Issacharoff and Pamela S. Karlan in Texas Law Review - Jun99, Vol. 77 Issue 7, p1705
- ^ Political Judgements by Samuel Issacharoff in The Vote: Bush, Gore, and the Supreme Court
Category:Living people
Category:Yale University alumni
Category:Columbia Law School alumni