Mark J. Nelson has served as counsel to businesses at all stages of their existence, advising on a variety of business law matters. Mark regularly represents clients in transactions involving the sale or purchase of businesses, including both stock and asset transactions. He also has significant experience in franchising. After working for a number of years in both private and public accounting and in business management, Mark brings to his clients an extensive background in accounting and business. 

Involvement in the Charlottesville community and family life with his wife and four children keeps Mark busy. He enjoys outdoor sports, travel and reading. The Nelson family attends Blue Ridge Community Church, where Mark has served as Deacon and Finance Committee Chairman.

Experience

• Advised small businesses in connection with a variety of legal matters, including: forming, structuring ownership/governance arrangements, operating and terminating business entities (corporations, partnerships, LLCs); franchising issues; general tax, employment and intellectual property issues; and drafting, reviewing, advising, and negotiating various kinds of contracts used in business.
• Represented clients in a variety of business sale/purchase transactions, including: winery, building supply business, construction/restoration company, engineering consulting company, food service franchise territory, auto service franchises in metropolitan territory, motorcycle dealership, pet boarding and grooming business, real estate agency, restaurants, professional practices, car wash businesses, health club businesses, sports camps business, and retail music store.
• Represented taxpayers in administrative proceedings before both the Internal Revenue Service and the Virginia Department of Taxation, including representation of a taxpayer in connection with an IRS audit of a gift tax return involving a family limited partnership; and participated in Community Tax Law Project programs through pro bono representation of low-income taxpayers before the IRS.
• Coordinated business succession planning with owners’ personal estate plans; formed family limited partnerships and assisted with partnership interest gifting programs for gift and estate planning purposes; participated in “Wills for Heroes” pro bono program sponsored by the Virginia State Bar and the Virginia Bar Association to provide wills for first responders; assisted with estate administrations; and drafted estate planning documents (wills, trusts, advanced medical directives, powers of attorney, etc.).
• Served as Law Clerk to U.S. District Honorable Judge Ralph W. Nimmons, Jr., Middle District of Florida - Assisted with court cases involving various areas of law, including civil rights, employment, taxation, constitutional law, bankruptcy appeals, intellectual property, and rules of evidence and civil procedure.
• Worked in accounting for five years for Arthur Anderson & Co., CPAs, and for CBN.
• Authored and co-authored articles on corporate liability protection and tax issues.
• Has lectured on business formation issues, Virginia partnership law, and ethics in business representation.

Honors and Awards

• BV* Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®

Education and Certifications

• University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, Virginia
  J.D., 1992
• Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia
  M.A. Biblical Studies 1988, Summa Cum Laude
• Certified Public Accountant, 1984-2008
• University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
  B.A., Business Administration, 1983, Summa Cum Laude

Professional and Community Associations

• Charlottesville-Albemarle Bar Association, Board of Directors
• Virginia State Bar - Business Law Section
• Virginia Bar Association - Taxation Section, Business Law Section
• American Bar Association - Forum on Franchising, Business Law Section
• Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Board (2005), 
  Former Chairman (2006-2007)
• Leadership Charlottesville (1995)
• United Way-Thomas Jefferson Area, Board of Directors (1999-2002)
• Johnson Village Neighborhood Association, President (1997-1998)