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Tad Nelson: A Wrecking Ball in the Courtroom
With over 400 jury trials under his belt, Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for 30 years, and recognized as a Super Lawyer over 10 consecutive years, Tad Nelson is a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom. His reputation for aggressive representation, combined with an unparalleled level of expertise, has made him the go-to criminal defense attorney in Galveston County and beyond.
Tad has not only mastered the law—he has mastered the science behind it. Achieving the prestigious Lawyer-Scientist designation from the American Chemical Society, he further solidified his expertise by pursuing a Master’s in Forensic Toxicology from the University of Florida. This deep understanding of forensic science gives him a cutting edge in cases involving DWI, drug charges, sexual assaults and other forensic-heavy criminal matters.
Beyond his scientific acumen, Tad has earned the highest possible AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, an honor recognizing both legal skill and ethical integrity. His aggressive nature, wicked courtroom skills, and commitment to justice make him a wrecking ball when it comes to defending the rights of his clients.
A Law Firm Built for the Client
After a successful career as a prosecutor, Tad Nelson founded Tad Nelson & Associates with a vision: a law firm where clients come first, not fees. He understands that being accused of a crime is one of the most stressful experiences a person can endure, and his firm is dedicated to not only winning cases but alleviating stress.
Tad and his team don’t just aim for “good deals”—they educate, guide, and fight relentlessly for the best possible outcome. Clients are encouraged to ask questions in a relaxed environment, ensuring they understand the legal process and feel confident in their defense.
Big City Experience, Small-Town Values
A lifelong resident of the Texas Gulf Coast, Tad Nelson was born and raised in Galveston, Texas, graduating from Ball High School before heading to The University of Texas. His legal career began as a prosecutor under Michael J. Guarino, where he learned firsthand how to win tough cases while maintaining the highest ethical standards. He quickly earned a reputation for his fearless courtroom presence and unshakable commitment to justice—a reputation that has only grown stronger over the decades.
At Tad Nelson & Associates, clients experience a welcoming, home-like atmosphere where their concerns are taken seriously. The firm prides itself on dominating the courtroom across Galveston County, from League City to Texas City, Galveston to Friendswood, and Jamaica Beach to Kemah. No one understands the people of this region better than Tad—because he has spent his entire life here, fighting for them. If you’re facing criminal charges or fighting for your children in a divorce action, you need a wrecking ball in your corner. Call Tad Nelson today and let his expertise, tenacity, and scientific edge work for you!
Tad A. Nelson
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Awards
Super Lawyers
The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates is pleased to announce that founder and attorney Tad A. Nelson has been selected, for the sixth consecutive year, as a Super Lawyer. The award is indicative of Nelson’s success in the legal field and is a significant honor.
What Is Super Lawyers and How Does the Selection Process Work?
According to the Super Lawyers’ website, Super Lawyers is an attorney rating service that focuses on outstanding lawyers in more than 70 practice areas. The process of selecting an attorney is no quick or easy feat – each candidate is evaluated on 12 different indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement.
The process starts with a nomination; lawyers cannot nominate themselves, nor can they campaign for nominations. After a nomination has been received, independent research on the 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement is conducted. While each indicator is given a different weight, they are all considered to be important by Super Lawyers. The 12 factors are whether or not the lawyer holds any special licenses or certifications, has received awards or honors, years of experience, representative clients, transactions, verdict and settlement history, their position within the law firm, bar status and professional activities, pro bono work and community service, scholarly lectures and writings, education and employment background, and any other outstanding achievements.
The process doesn’t end there – after independent research is conducted, a comprehensive peer evaluation phase takes place. Finally, there is the final selection. Candidates who are under the age of 40 or have been practicing for fewer than 10 years may be selected as Super Lawyers’ “Rising Star,” which comprises approximately 2.5 percent of candidates. Approximately five percent of lawyers are selected to Super Lawyers.
What You Need to Know About Attorney Tad Nelson
Being selected to Super Lawyers for the sixth year in a row is no small achievement, and can be attributed to Nelson’s experience in the legal field, the reputation of excellence, and various professional engagements and achievements. He maintains a legal specialty certification in capital murder trials pertaining to the death penalty and has been admitted to the Texas Bar, Supreme Court of Texas Bar, U.S. Supreme Court Bar, and the U.S. District Court of Southern Texas Bar. Not only is he guided by his legal acumen and knowledge, but also by his ethics, firmly believing that it is better to do right than be right.
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Awards
Martindale-Hubbell ®
For the fifth consecutive year, Attorney Tad A. Nelson has received the Martindale-Hubbell ® AV Preeminent rating. AV peer-review ratings are considered to be the gold standard in attorney ratings, and we are honored.
The Martindale-Hubbell ® Rating – What Does It Mean?
According to martindale.com, the Martindale-Hubbell ® Peer-Review Ratings ™ are designed to recognize a lawyer for their “strong legal ability and high ethical standards.”
An attorney who goes through the peer-review rating process may qualify for one of three different prestigious ratings: AV Preeminent, distinguished, or notable. While each of the three is indicative of an attorney who has been recognized by their peers as a star or leader in their field, and who maintains high standards in their work, AV Preeminent is by far the most esteemed of the award types. Indeed, in order to receive a Martindale-Hubbell ® rating of AV Preeminent, the lawyer must be ranked by a large number of their peers as having achieved a high level of communication skills, professional excellence, and ethical standards. The rating is not given without just cause and thorough consideration.
How the Process Works
The process of getting a Martindale-Hubbell ® rating begins with submitting a form listing attorney references for the sake of accumulating peer reviews. In order to submit the form asking for references, an attorney must be practicing in the United States or Canada, have a profile on martindale.com, and maintain bar membership for at least three years. The references that an attorney submits must also be practicing attorneys themselves or sitting judges, and must also be within the Martindale-Hubbell ® database.
How quickly an attorney is able to receive a rating is dependent upon numerous factors, including how long it takes for attorney references to complete the review of the individual attorney. Of course, some attorneys who ask for peer reviews may not get the responses they are hoping for.
Attorney Tad Nelson Strives for Excellence
The AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell ® is a reflection of Tad’s commitment to excellence and maintenance of the highest of standards. Not only does Tad employ a high level of legal practices during his cases, but he also focuses on a human element of legal work too: relating to the client, making sure the client feels understood and comfortable and working for the client as he would a member of his own family. His compassion for his clients and his passion for justice are two of the defining characteristics that set him apart from other attorneys.
Learn More About the Law Offices of Tad Nelson Today
If you have a legal issue in Galveston, League City, or Houston and want a qualified, committed attorney handling your case, contact attorney Tad Nelson today for a legal consultation. You can reach our law office by calling us at (281) 280-0100, or sending us a message telling us more about your case. Please feel free to ask questions about your legal options and our background and experience. We look forward to serving you.
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