John D. Nellor

Attorney At Law

John (“JD”) Nellor was admitted to practice law in the State of Washington in 1979. He is also admitted to 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).

JD currently focuses his practice on small businesses, reorganizations, business bankruptcy, bankruptcy litigation, estate planning, and creative dispute resolution such as mediation, arbitration, and negotiation.

JD has broad experience with small businesses, including planning, formation, organization and reorganization, startups, limited liability companies, corporations, and partnerships. He serves as General Counsel to several small businesses. He also understands the difficulties individuals and small businesses face when unseen financial crisis strike, and he has extensive experience with Chapter 7, Chapter 13 and Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, state court receiverships, and formal and informal extensions, compositions, and workkouts.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Washington, JD attended Harney Elementary School, McLoughlin Junior High School (“Mac Hi”), 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). He was admitted to the Order of Barristers, a national award for excellence in oral advocacy, while in law school.

JD is a member of the Washington State Bar Asociation, the Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Washington and the Clark County Bar Association (Board of Trustees, 2010–2015, Treasurer 2011–2015; Bench Bar Committee, 1991–1993; Web and Technology Committee, 2006–2014).

He has routinely volunteered his services for clients of the Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program and provided a free advice clinic to students at Clark College, in Vancouver, Washington, for more than 25 years.

An active member of his community, JD’s current involvement includes:

• The Pacific Foundation For Blind Children, a charitable organization dedicated to broadening and enhancing educational and employment opportunities for persons who are blind or visually impaired. Board of Trustees, July 1995 to present (President 1995–2005, Chairman of the Board 2005–2009).
• Interservice Walk And Knock for Clark County, Washington, one of the largest one–day food drives in the United States. Area Captain, 1995 to present.
• The Vancouver Lions Club, Vancouver, Washington, 1990 to present. President, 1998–1999 and 2006–2007; Secretary, 1996–1997, 2010– Treasurer, 1992– Director, 1999–2012. Lion of the Year, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1997–98, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05 and 2010–11. Melvin Jones Fellowship, Lions Clubs Intrenational Foundation, 2007.
• Lions Clubs International, District 19G (Southwest Washington). District Governor, 2015–2016, 1^st Vice District Governor, 2014–2015, 2^nd Vice District Governor, 2013–2014, Zone Chairperson 19G-2, 2011–2012; Associate Zone Chairperson 19G-2, 2010–2011; Retention Coordinator, 2012–2013; Global Leadership Team Facilitator, 2013–2014, Club Support Team and Global Membershp Team Facilitator, 2014–2015. He is also a graduate of the Advanced Lions Leadership Institute (2014), and has served as a member of the Multiple District 19 Faculty Development Institute and a Certified Guiding Lion.
• Lions Clubs International, Multiple District 19 (British Columbia, Northern Idaho and Washington). Council Chairperson 2019–2020; Vice Council Chairperson, 2018–2019; Centennial Coordinator, U.S. Clubs, 2016–2018; Parliamentarian, Council of Governors, 1998–1999, 2020 to present; Multiple District 19 Distinguished Service Award; International President's Medal; International President's Leadership Medal, Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow.

In previous years JD has donated time to the:

• Clark County Home Builders Association (Board of Directors, 1982–1985).
• Clark County Young Lawyers Association (President, 1982–1983).

A frequent participant in continuing legal education programs, J.D. has authored several publications, including:

• 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 appellate cases include:

• In re Baby Girl K, 26 Wn. App. 897 (1980)
• In re Steffen, 181 B.R. 981 (W.D. Wn. 1995)