William L. Nelson III was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in December of 1968. Mr. Nelson's father, William L. Nelson Jr. MD, was a naval physician and the family lived in various locations including Washington D.C. and Portsmouth, VA before settling in San Diego, CA.
Mr. Nelson attended UCLA where he graduated with degrees in both history and political science. While at UCLA, Mr. Nelson chaired the John Wooden Center Board of Governors, drafting both the Center's annual report and overseeing modifications to the Center's long-term bonded financing system. In addition, he worked as a legislative intern for Assemblyman Steve Peace and acted as first vice-president and prosecutor for the UCLA Interfraternity Council. After graduation, Mr. Nelson attended law school at the University of San Diego School of Law. During his tenure at law school, Mr. Nelson worked as chairman of the Dean's Tenure and Retention Committee assessing and making recommendations regarding the qualifications of faculty members. He also chaired the committee that rewrote the law school constitution and volunteered time with the domestic violence prevention project. In the summer of 1993, Mr. Nelson worked as legal intern to the Honorable Kevin Midlam of the San Diego Superior Court. Upon graduation from the University of San Diego, Mr. Nelson received the Distinguished Service Award.
Following graduation, Mr. Nelson clerked for Hinche, Witte, Wood, Anderson & Hodges in San Diego, CA and sat for the California Bar Exam. Upon passing the California Bar Exam and being admitted to practice in the state, Mr. Nelson relocated to Pensacola, FL and clerked for Kerrigan, Estess, Rankin & McLeod. During this period he sat for and passed the Florida Bar Exam. After being admitted to practice in Florida, Mr. Nelson took a position with the Public Defender's Office in Pensacola. During his three-year tenure with the Public Defender, Mr. Nelson handled matters for thousands of clients including jury trials, bench trials, depositions and motions in both misdemeanor and felony cases. In 1998, Mr. Nelson left the Public Defender's Office and relocated to Orange County, CA. He took a position with Law Offices of Lawrence Taylor so that he could work with the nationally recognized leader in the area of DUI (driving under the influence) defense. Mr. Taylor, as the former Dean of the National College of DUI defense and a Fullbright Scholar, has written a series of books on the subject of DUI defense. Mr. Nelson worked with The Law Offices of Lawrence Taylor for three years rising to the level of managing associate. During this time, he represented clients both in court and in administrative hearings before the California DMV. Mr. Nelson left The Law Offices of Lawrence Taylor and Southern California to found his own law firm.
The Law Offices of William L. Nelson III, P.A. is a general practice firm based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The firm handles many different kinds of cases but tends to emphasize its practice in the areas of criminal defense, family law and personal injury. The firm is available to handle matters for clients throughout the Florida Panhandle.