Maritza S. Nelson

I provide sophisticated legal counsel for serious entrepreneurs. As your trusted legal advisor, I want to help you pursue your passions and reach the next level of business success. And I do it all in a way that adds value to your business: by educating you on the legal issues you face, offering flat fees, and providing value added services to my clients.

Law Office of Maritza S. Nelson, LLC
(1 Attorneys)
www.msnlawoffice.com

AREAS OF LAW:

Employment and Labor Relations
Small Business Law and Litigation

LOCATION:

4200 Regent Street
Suite 200
Columbus, OH 43219

East Columbus

YEARS OF PRACTICE:

15 years

PHONE:

614-944-5171

FAX:

614-944-5176

Email Lawyer

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Get to know me
Types of Cases
Qualifications
History
Fees

What experiences (work and personal) help you to be a better attorney?

I have 7 years of experience in two of the nation's largest law firms representing large corporate clients. Now I'm able to provide the same level of sophisticated legal service to real people--entrepreneurs, business owners, and non-profit organizations. And, like my clients, I'm an entrepreneur too!

What made you choose your primary specialty focus of law?

I focus on entrepreneurs and business owners because I want to help people achieve success by pursuing their passions. You should be able to get paid to do what you love without having to worry that what you think you know about the law will come back to bite you.

What makes your law firm unique?

My firm is unique because I do nearly everything on a flat-fee basis. Unlike hourly billing, you will know exactly what legal services you need and what they will cost up front.

Describe your ideal client.

My ideal client is passionate about pursuing their vision. They commnicate with me not just about the legal matter at hand, but also about their big picture goals and the vision for their business. They don't accept or make excuses. They take responsibility for their actions and their futures. And most importantly, they are fun but still professional. They work hard and play harder. And they exude positive energy!

Describe your charitable activities.

I serve (pro bono) as Outside General Counsel to Juvenile Justice Coalition, and I serve on the boards of NAWBO Columbus, Roy G Biv, and the Gahanna Area Arts Council.

Employment and Labor Relations

Discrimination
Employment Agreements
Harassment
other employment issues
Wrongful Termination

Small Business Law and Litigation

Antitrust and Trade
Business Formation and Dissolution
Commercial and Contract Law
Construction
Contract Disputes
Fraud
Internet
Mediation
Non-Competition and Trade Secrets
Nonprofits
Ownership Disputes/Fiduciary Relationships
Patents and Trademarks

Degree

The University of Texas School of Law
JD, 2007

Howard University
BA, 2004

Bar Association Membership

Columbus Bar Association
Ohio State Bar Association
DC Bar Association
John Mercer Langston Bar Association

Accomplishments

Community Activities

NAWBO Columbus, Treasurer
Roy G Biv, Board Member
Columbus Bar Association, Minorities in the Law Committee (Co-Chair 2015-2017)
John Mercer Langston Bar Association (Board Member, Solo/Small Firm Committee 2016-2018)
Why Marriage Matters Campaign
Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization (Former Board Member)
Adoption Network Public Policy Committee (Former Member)

Pro Bono

I serve as Outside General Counsel for Juvenile Justice Coalition and Community Shares of Mid-Ohio.

Represented an army officer charged with attempted suicide while serving in Iraq. Helped client withdraw coerced resignation in lieu of court-martial. Maintained contacts with the media, ensuring favorable publicity. After the military equivalent of a pre-trial hearing, the case was dismissed. The client was honorably discharged and able to keep all benefits.

As a student attorney with the Criminal Defense Clinic at The University of Texas School of Law, obtained two not guilty verdicts in bench and jury trials for clients charged with theft and public intoxication.

Court Admissions

Northern District of Ohio
Supreme Court of Ohio

Bar Admission Date

2007-01-01

Licensed In

District of Columbia (2008), #984652
Ohio (2009), #0084610

Significant Cases

Since starting the firm in the summer of 2014, I have helped entrepreneurs, small to mid-size businesses, and non-profit organizations with their business, litigation, and estate planning needs. I regularly advise clients on a variety of business issues including business formation, contract drafting, employment/independent contractor agreements, trademarks, and succession planning.

I also help business partners resolve internal disputes and, when necessary, litigate those fights to help you get what you deserve from the business you've worked so hard to build. And I represent clients in breach of contract cases, especially where a customer or strategic partner owes your business money and has failed to abide by the contract terms.

Summary of Firm

"Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value."
- Albert Einstein

Before starting my firm, I spent a lot of time thinking about how the practice of law should be different. All too often, lawyers are more worried about how many hours they can bill to a client, rather than how they can solve a client's problems. Instead of billing by the hour, I work with each one of my clients to first figure out how I can be of value to their business. Then, and only then, do we discuss a fixed price based on that value. No billable hours; no hourly rates; no surprise bills. Just a fair price established up front for legal services that help you build a better, more successful business. Even litigation is priced up-front in phases based on the value of the case.

Outside General Counsel Service

Big corporations can afford to hire teams of in-house attorneys to handle their legal needs. As a small business, you probably can't afford to have an attorney on your payroll full-time. But you should still have a relationship with a small business attorney who can answer your legal questions, give you business advice, sit in on your business meetings to spot the little issues before they become major issues, review and write your contracts, advise you on employment issues, and generally make sure your business doesn't sink before it even sets sail. With outside general counsel service, your small business can have all of these legal needs addressed for one flat monthly fee. How valuable would that be to your business?

More Value

What else can I do to add value to your business? How about:

Complimentary Initial Consultations - It never hurts to schedule an appointment.
Comprehensive Business Assessments - You know you need legal help with your business or non-profit, but you're just not sure exactly what that means.
Legal Education - Have a question? Join the mailing list. Check out the blog. View a webinar. Or just contact us.
Payment Plans - Because sometimes you need your strategic partners to work with your budget and not cause cash flow issues.

The biggest result I can achieve for my clients is protection--protecting my clients and their small businesses from both internal and external threats so they can focus on getting paid to do what they love.

Summary of Previous Employment

Baker & Hostetler, LLP, 2009 - 2014
Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw, Pittman, LLP, 2007 - 2009

Free Initial Consultation?

Initial consultations are always complimentary.

Fixed-Price Services and Fees

I almost always work on a flat fee basis. No billable hours; no hourly rates; no surprise bills. Just a fair price established up front for legal services that help you build a better, more successful business.

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