Tom Nelson Honored by Minnesota Lawyer for Outstanding Service to the Profession

12.23.2020

Stinson Partner and former Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) President Tom Nelson has been recognized for Outstanding Service to the Profession as part of Minnesota Lawyers' Attorneys of the Year 2020 awards. Tom is chosen for his longstanding commitment to the legal profession and his countless hours in leadership and volunteer roles both locally and nationally.

Nelson's year-long term as MSBA president began in July 2019 and focused on improving access to justice, connecting attorneys across the state and making meaningful contributions to Minnesota communities through increased pro bono efforts. Nelson also highlighted the importance of attorney well-being amid the COVID-19 pandemic and helped bring attention to civil rights and injustices in Minnesota history.

"This was certainly an untraditional year for all of us; we saw the need to come together in new ways as Minnesotans and as attorneys," Nelson said. “I’m humbled by this recognition from Minnesota Lawyer, and genuinely grateful for my MSBA and Stinson teammates for their support and encouragement along the way.”

Nelson's community service throughout the years has also included tenures with the American Swedish Institute, City of Bloomington Charter Commission, The Givens Foundation for African American Literature, Global Rights for Women and Minneapolis Arts Commission. The firm recognized Nelson with Stinson's 2019 Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award for his work within the firm and in the community.

His design, construction and business litigation practice has been nationally recognized for many years. Nelson has been repeatedly named a Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers©, and he has been ranked as a Local Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation and selected for inclusion annually in Minnesota Super Lawyers®. He is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and has been inducted into the Litigation Counsel of America.