John David Nellor
J. D. Nellor has handled virtually every type of legal matter since he entered practice in 1979. He currently focuses his practice on small businesses, reorganizations, bankruptcy litigation, and dispute resolution through mediation, arbitration and negotiation.
J.D. is experienced with all forms of business matters, including business startups, planning, organization and reorganization, limited liability companies, corporations and partnerships. He serves as General Counsel to several small businesses.
He understands the difficulties individuals and small businesses face when unseen financial crisis strike, and has extensive experience with Chapter 7, Chapter 13 and Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, receiverships, and formal and informal extensions, consolidations and workkouts.
J.D. was admitted to to practice law in the State of Washington in 1979. He is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington (1979), the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington (1997), the United States Tax Court (1993) and the United States Court Of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (1985).
He is certified by the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington as a Rule 39.1 Neutral.
Born and raised in Vancouver, Washington, J.D. attended Harney Elementary School, McLoughlin Junior High School, Hudsons Bay High School and Clark College (A.A. 1971). He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Portland (B.A. cum laude 1973), and his legal education from the University of Tulsa, College of Law (J.D. 1978), where he was a member of its National Moot Court team (1977–78) and was admitted to the Order of Barristers, a national award for excellence in oral advocacy.
J.D. is currently a member of the:
- Clark County Bar Association (Bench Bar Committee, 1991–1993; Chairman, Web and Technology Committee, 2006–present)
- Federal Bar Association, Western District of Washington
- Washington State Bar Association
- Washington State Association For Justice (formerly the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association)
- National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- Delta Theta Phi legal fraternity
He routinely volunteers his services for clients of the Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program and has provided a free advice clinic to students at Clark College, in Vancouver, Washington, for more than 20 years.
An active member of his community, J.D.’s current involvement includes:
- Washington School For The Blind Foundation, Board of Directors, July 1995 to present (President 1995–2005, Chairman of the Board 2005–2009). A private foundation supporting the students, faculty and broader community of Washington State School for the Blind.
- Vancouver Lions Club, Vancouver, Washington, 1990 to present; President, July, 1998 to July, 1999 and July 2006 to July 2007; Secretary, July, 1996 to July, 1997; Treasurer, July 1992 to July, 1995; Director, July, 1999 to present. Lion of the Year, 1994–95, 1995–96, 2001–2002, 2004–2005. Melvin Jones Fellowship, International Association of Lions Clubs, June 4, 2007.
In the past, J.D. has devoted his time to the:
- Clark County Home Builders Association (Board of Directors, 1982–1985)
- Clark County Young Lawyers Association (President, 1982–1983)
- Council of Governors, Multiple District 19, International Association of Lions Clubs, Parliamentarian, July, 1998 to July, 1999
A frequent participant in continuing legal education programs, J.D. has recently authored the following publications:
- Family Law Issues In Bankruptcy, Clark County Bar Association, May, 1996
- Family Law Issues In Bankruptcy, Clark County Bar Association, co–authored with Randall Stewart, June, 2000
- Satisfying Buyers Of Assets: A Summary Of Successor Liability In Washington, Washington State Bar Association, July, 2001
- Advising The Business In Distress, Washington State Bar Association, February, 2003
- Judicial Foreclosures, Sales, And Redemptions, Washington State Bar Association, July, 2003
J.D.’s reported cases include:
- In re Baby Girl K, 26 Wn. App. 897 (1980)
- In re Steffen, 181 B.R. 981 (W.D. Wn. 1995)
“It is easy to be popular. It is not easy to be just.”
—Bird