Nels Johnson is an attorney with practice areas in Immigration Law and Small Business Law. Nels earned a B.A. in Religion from Whitworth University, and a J.D. from Willamette University College of Law. Nels also studied leadership at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, earning a certificate in leadership.
In law school Nels clerked for the Marion County District Attorney, interned for State Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian, served as the Managing Editor of the Willamette Journal of International Law and Dispute Resolution, the President of the American Constitution Society and winner of numerous mock trials and mock trial awards, including competing in a national appellate competition.
Prior to opening his own law practice Nels worked in Oregon politics, working on state, local and federal campaigns, including Portland Mayor Charlie Hales. Nels also worked as a lobbyist representing a host of corporate and non-profit clients in the Oregon Legislature.
Nels is an active in the community, a member of the Portland City Club, and adjunct professor at Warner Pacific College and was recently elected to the Multnomah Education Service District. Occasionally he writes for Street Roots and Blue Oregon. He and his wife, Lauren, live in Northeast Portland.
