Charlie Nelson is a litigator who assists clients with issues related to bankruptcy, debtor-creditor rights, commercial financial disputes, real estate and construction disputes, probate and trust administration disputes, and pre- and post-judgment collection efforts. He has represented clients in state and federal courts in Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota and North Dakota and at both the trial and appellate levels.
Prior to his legal career, Charlie was a leader and maintenance professional, serving six years in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft maintenance officer, including a temporary duty assignment at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia with the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron in support of Operation Southern Watch. He also worked for Target Corporation as a Facilities Operations Manager. He led teams of between 50 and 350 people during his maintenance career.
Representative Experience
Representative Matters
- Represented lead bank in litigation involving participated loan
- Represented consortium of four unsecured regional banks in commercial loan workout
- Represented regional bank in litigation in state and federal courts defending against breach of contract and fraudulent lender liability claims
Professional Highlights
Judicial Clerkships
Hon. Robert J. Kressel, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota and Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Professional Activities
Adjunct Professor, Secured Transactions, University of St. Thomas School of Law, Fall 2021
Recognition & Accomplishments
The Best Lawyers in America, "Ones to Watch," Government Relations Practice (Minneapolis), 2024, 2025
North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2015–2018, 2023
Speaking Engagements
2017 Advanced Lending Seminar, May, 2017
Co-presenter, "Debtor/Creditor Receiverships: Representing Receivers, Creditors, and Parties-In-Interest," Hennepin County Bar Association, January, 2017
2016 Advanced Lending Seminar, April, 2016
Board Memberships & Community Service
Minnesota Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA), Board Secretary and Chairperson of the Awards Committee
Challenger Learning Center of Minnesota, Board of Directors
Minneapolis Downtown Council, Transportation Committee
Publications
Author, "Review in Bankruptcy Cases," 8th Circuit Appellate Practice Manual, 9th edition, Chapter 16, 2020
Co-author, “Involuntary Bankruptcy,” Minnesota Debtor – Creditor Handbook, 12th edition, Chapter 11, 2022
Author, Judicial Profile, Hon. Robert J. Kressel, The Federal Lawyer, June 2013 www.fedbar.org
Co-author, “Involuntary Bankruptcy,” Minnesota Debtor – Creditor Handbook, 12th edition, Chapter 11, 2022
Author, Judicial Profile, Hon. Robert J. Kressel, The Federal Lawyer, June 2013 www.fedbar.org
Credentials
Education
University of St. Thomas School of Law (J.D. 2011)
President of Student Government 3L Year
University of South Dakota (M.B.A. 2002)
U.S. Air Force Academy (B.S. 1996)
Varsity Men’s Basketball – 4 Year Letterman
Admissions
Minnesota
Iowa
North Dakota
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota