Originally from St. Cloud, Minnesota, Matt graduated from Apollo High School in 2002 before attending Saint John’s University, earning a B.A. in psychology in 2006. While at St. John’s, Matt played football for the winningest coach in college football history, the legendary John Gagliardi. Matt was a three-year starter for the Johnnies, including on the 2003 Division III National Championship team.
While at St. John’s, Matt had success on and off the field, being a Dean’s List recipient (four times), while also being named MIAC All-Conference (three times); Academic All-Conference, Academic All-District, and All-American his senior year.
After graduation from St. John’s, Matt worked as an adolescent mental health counselor at the St. Cloud Hospital. He then attended the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis, graduating in 2010 in the top 5% of his class. While at St. Thomas, Matt was on the Dean’s List (five times); a recipient of the Dean’s Award for the highest grade (three times); and was both an associate and senior editor of the University of St. Thomas Law Journal. During law school, Matt worked at a non-profit criminal defense organization, as well as at a large downtown Minneapolis firm.
Following law school, Matt worked for a downtown Minneapolis law firm, practicing in the areas of personal injury defense, and construction law. In 2012, Matt joined his father, Timothy W. Nelson, at Nelson Personal Injury, becoming a partner in 2022.
Matt dedicates his entire practice to helping people who have experienced serious injuries, or the wrongful death of a family member, including claims involving automobile and motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, premises liability, dog bites, and work injuries. Matt has helped countless clients deal with the aftermath of life changing injuries by standing up to insurance companies and recovering millions of dollars on their behalf.
Matt is also certified as a no-fault arbitrator by the American Arbitration Association, and has acted as arbitrator on over 100 cases involving car accidents.
Matt enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, coaching his son’s baseball team, traveling, and fishing.
