Bar Admissions: Licensed to practice
in New York (active) and formerly licensed in Illinois (after 20 years' absence from Illinois, Mr. Nelson ceased to keep this
licensure current). Admitted to state and federal courts for New York, and U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Second, Third and
Fifth Circuits.
Law Practice:
*
Nelson Madden Black LLP, New York, New York -- June 2016 to present. Legal advice and representation for
religious institutions.
* Law Offices of Jonathan Robert Nelson,
New York, New York -- May 1991 to June 2016 (with some practice continuing thereafter). Practice mainly in civil litigation and
immigration. Litigation practice in federal and state courts including commercial disputes, church representation, enforcement
of contracts, copyright, religious freedom claims, defense against contract interference and other claims. Defendants and
plaintiffs represented at trial and appellate levels. Diverse immigration practice, most recently concentrated on administrative
and judicial appeals in asylum cases.
* Rae and Nelson
LLP, New York, New York, Partner – February 1999 to June, 2000. Practice as above.
* Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, New York, New York, Associate -- March 1987 to May 1991. Broad commercial and complex securities litigation experience in
federal and state courts. Immigration law.
* Chapman and Cutler, Chicago, Illinois, Associate -- May 1983 to February 1987. Practice included commercial and bank litigation at trial and
appellate levels and documentation of industrial development bond, aircraft and energy financing transactions.
Education:
*
Northwestern University School of Law, Chicago, Illinois, J. D. 1983. Honors: Elected "Best Editor" of Northwestern Journal of International Law & Business; Won "Best Memorial" Award for Midwest Region in Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition; Dean's List.
* The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, M.A. 1984.
* Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, B.A. 1978. Earned degree in three years. Whiffenpoofs of 1977.
Professional: Member, American Bar Association,
New York City Bar Association; American Immigration Lawyers Association. Former member, Inter-American Bar Association; Christian
Legal Society; Advocates International; Chicago Bar Association; Illinois State Bar Association, International Bar Association,
Lawyers Committee for Human Rights.
Speaking appearances:
Christian Legal Society, Annual Conference, Destin, Florida, Nov. 3, 2007, "Representing Immigrants in a Shifting Legal Landscape: Immigration
Options for Undocumented Aliens."
Synod of the Northeast Assembly, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Oct. 20, 2007, "Status of Immigration Reform Legislation."
Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York City, Advocates for Peace and Justice, Oct. 5, 2007, "The Social Security No-Match Letter Program."
Presbytery of New York City, April 21, 2007, Moderator and Workshop Leader, Conference on "Immigration, Justice and Christian Hospitality."
Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York City, February, April 2007, "Christian Hospitality and National Borders;"
Center for Christian Studies, New York City, "Christian Hospitality and National Borders" (October,
December 2006).
American Bar Association, Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities, Washington, DC, Remarks, "Fortress America: Asylum and Refugees" (January, 2006).
Association of the Bar of the City of New York, on repeated occasions: "Representing Haitian Refugees as a Volunteer."
Andy Andersen Show, WMCA Radio, Featured Guest, April 24, 2001.
Cardozo Law School, New York City, "Female Genital Mutilation as a Ground for Asylum Claims," November 19, 1996.
Colegio de Abogados de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina, June 26, 1996: "Unas Oportunidades por Inmigracion en los EE.UU."
Inter-American Bar Association, Quito, Ecuador, November 15, 1995: "Proyectos en cambio de las leyes inmigratorias en los EE.UU."
American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, Phoenix, Arizona, June, 1991: "Representing asylum seekers detained in Harlingen, Texas."
Illinois State Bar Association, 1986 Annual Meeting: "Debate on Mandatory Continuing Legal Education."
Activities: Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York, New York, Member, Elder, Former Trustee, Former Member of Session; The Fletcher Club of New York, Inc., Former President; Yale Club of Chicago, Former Secretary; Yale Whiffenpoof Alumni, Inc., Former Director; New York City Presbytery (PCUSA) Working Group on Immigration Advocacy, Former Member, Committee on Representation, Chair 2012-2015.
Publications: "Judge-Made Law and the Presumption of Arbitrability", 58 Brooklyn Law Review 279 (Summer 1992). "The Implementation of the Refugee Act of 1980: A Decade of Experience", published 1990 by Lawyers Committee for Human Rights (co-author). "Shaking the Pillars: An Asylum Applicant Shakes Loose Some Unusual Relief," 83 Interpreter Releases 1 (2006). "Christian Hospitality and National Borders," self-study web outline
published by The Witherspoon Society (November, 2006).
Public Advocacy: AILA Lobby Day 2006; REAL ID Act lobbying in Washington DC in March 2005; Amnesty International New York City advocacy team leader
(immigration detention reform legislation).
Languages: Fluent in English,
proficient in Spanish and French.
To contact
this law office,click here.
Jonathan Robert Nelson, Esq.
c/o NELSON MADDEN BLACK LLP
475 Park Avenue South, Suite 2800, New York, NY 10016
Telephone: (212) 382-4301
Facsimile: (212) 382-4319
E mail: jnelson@nelsonmaddenblack.com
