Fighting For Civil Justice

“To defeat injustice, if only for one instant, for a single victim, is to invent a new reason for hope.” Elie Wiesel

For more than 30 years I have been fighting for full and fair access to justice, and for the rule of law. In addition to representing clients in state and federal courtrooms, I have served on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee staff as Chief Counsel of the Subcommittee on the Constitution. I have drafted legislation to protect individual and constitutional rights. I have testified before congressional committees and state legislative bodies.

I am concerned about our system of civil justice. And I am determined to lead the effort for change. Our courts don’t work well enough for many Americans. The process is too slow, too expensive and too easily manipulated by persons with power, money or influence on their side.  Just claims are too often barred by unfair restrictions on access to our courts. When cases reach our courts, too often decisions turn on the cleverness of lawyers to find procedural devices rather than on the merits of the claims or defenses.

Much has been said about frivolous lawsuits, but the same can be said about frivolous defenses, motions and appeals that are used to frustrate, delay and defeat just claims. Representing clients in seeking justice is a noble calling, but there are some lawyers – both plaintiffs lawyers and corporate defense lawyers – who disserve our system of justice by tactics that are arguably lawful, but unfair.

We need more justice and less procedure in our courts. We need to bring more common sense, simplicity, efficiency, and a clear focus on the rule of law.

Below are details about my background and some of the causes of justice that I have fought to protect in my career as a constitutional attorney, a defender of property rights, and as a counselor for people in Indiana and around the country who need help protecting their rights and defending the rule of law in their individual and class action cases.

Education and Professional Qualifications

- Purdue University, Honorary Doctorate
- Harvard Law School, Juris Doctor cum laude (Member, Harvard Law Review)
- Harvard University, Master in Public Policy
- Purdue University, B.S. with distinction (G.A. Ross award, outstanding male graduate)
- Admitted to the bars of Indiana; the District of Columbia; U.S. Court of Federal Claims; U.S. District Courts in several jurisdictions; Courts of Appeal in the 4th, 6th, 7th and the District of Columbia Circuits; and the United States Supreme Court

Professional Memberships

- American Association of Justice
- American Agricultural Law Association
- Indiana Farm Bureau
- Indiana State Bar Association
- Indiana Association of Cities & Towns (Associate Member)

Articles About Nels’ Advocacy

Nels Ackerson: Working on the Rail Roads

Nels Ackerson fights for Hoosier Farmers’ Property Rights

Endorsement of Harry Pearson, former President of the Indiana State Farm Bureau

Nels Ackerson Fighting to Protect Hoosiers: The Fern Firestone Story