Craig E. Nelson, Esq. graduated with a B.A. in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame, an M.B.A. from the University of Houston and a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law. 

Prior to entering the practice of law, Mr. Nelson was a certified public accountant and practiced with the international public accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers). There, he audited companies operating in many industries including manufacturing, real estate and financial services. Mr. Nelson later transferred to the tax department, where his practice focused on advising venture capital firms investing in portfolio companies and buyout firms buying and selling businesses. With his financial and tax accounting skills, auditing experiences and knowledge of C&L developed valuation software, Mr. Nelson assisted clients in valuing targeted companies, developed structures to acquire controlling interests of targeted companies and prepared forecasted financial statements. 

Mr. Nelson advises companies involved in a variety of transactions including mergers, acquisitions, dispositions and start-ups. He also represents clients involved in issuing debt and/or equity capital; making equity and/or debt investments; management buyouts (including a multi-billion dollar leveraged buyout); the formation of strategic alliances; and partnership dissolutions. Several of Mr. Nelson's clients are technology-based where intellectual property is one of the most significant assets. 

A significant portion of Mr. Nelson's legal practice is handling the legal needs of investors and the general transactional needs of our corporate clients. He advises both American and foreign wealthy individuals and large estates on legal matters in connection with wealth management issues such as estate planning, succession planning, the legal review of documents including investment-related documents, asset protection planning and general legal matters in connection with family-owned or controlled businesses. Mr. Nelson works closely with these individuals, their family offices and their other advisors to help develop and implement sound legal planning. Mr. Nelson also advises foreign investors investing in the United States through structures that minimize worldwide taxation while legally preserving anonymity. 

In addition, Mr. Nelson works with the firm's litigators on securities law class actions and private actions. His combination of legal, accounting and business knowledge provides a valuable addition to our litigation team when conducting investigations, identifying facts and developing litigation strategy for these complex cases based on fraudulent financial statements. Mr. Nelson works with the experts on these cases to quantify damages caused by the fraud committed by the defendants in these cases.