Education
J.D., The University of Texas, School of Law, 2007
  • TYLA Mock Trial Team
​​B.A., Howard University, 2004
  • summa cum laude
  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • Mock Trial Team
  • Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Alpha Chapter
​Community and Bar Association Activities
  • NAWBO Columbus, Treasurer
  • Roy G Biv (Former 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 
  • Gahanna Area Arts Council (Former Board Member)
  • Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization (Former Board Member)
  • Adoption Network Public Policy Committee (Former Member)

Maritza "Shay" Nelson,
Managing Attorney

​Prior to venturing out on their own, Maritza “Shay” Nelson spent 7 years at two of the nation’s largest law firms as an associate in their respective litigation groups. Shay then decided that practicing law could be about more than how many hours could be billed and now works almost exclusively on a flat fee basis. Clients range from start-ups to growing businesses and non-profits with nearly 100 employees across a wide variety of industries.

Maritza is a proud graduate of Howard University, where they received their Bachelor of Arts in Political Science summa cum laude before going on to The University of Texas School of Law for their Juris Doctorate. In addition to running a thriving law firm, Shay is actively involved with the state and local bar associations. In their spare time, they are a struggling blues-rock guitar player and avid sci-fi and fantasy reader.
Admissions
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, 2010
  • Ohio, 2009
  • District of Columbia, 2008 (Inactive)
  • Virginia, 2007 (Withdrawn)
Prior Firms
  • ​Baker & Hostetler, LLP, 2009 - 2014
  • Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw, Pittman, LLP, 2007 - 2009
Other Recognitions
  • 2017 Ohio Rising Stars List
Pro Bono
  • Serve as Outside General Counsel for Juvenile Justice Coalition.
  • 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.
Before deciding to venture out on my own, I spent seven years at two of the largest law firms in the country as an associate attorney in their respective litigation groups.  During that time, some of my cases included:
  • representing a global supplier of custom-engineered equipment in a trade secrets case where two former employees took the secrets and went to work for a competitor;
  • multiple trademark infringement cases for a product certification company whose product certifications were being copied and used without permission; 
  • a Fair Housing Act suit accusing a property management company of having a pattern or practice of discrimination because of the actions of one rogue (former) employee; 
  • representing a real estate company and several of its realtors in litigation with a disgruntled customer;
  • suing to recover preferential and fraudulent transfers in multiple Ponzi scheme cases, including the infamous Madoff case.