Judge Nelson, Council Bluffs, was appointed to the bench in December 2018. He was raised in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska in 2001 and his law degree from Oklahoma City University in 2005. Judge Nelson was in private practice from 2006-2010 and served in the State of Iowa Public Defender’s Office until his appointment to the bench.
Judge Nelson is a member of the Iowa Judges Association and 4th Bar Association. He served two terms as a member of the Iowa Supreme Court Grievance Commission. He is married with two children.