Frederick H. Nelson, Esquire

Rick Nelson participates in several ministry outlets in the central Florida area with his wife, Satu Elisse Nelson.

Rick serves as President of The Law Offices of Frederick H. Nelson, P.A., and he also serves as the President and General Counsel of American Liberties Institute, a civil liberties education and litigation organization headquartered in Orlando, Florida. Rick litigates religious liberty and free speech cases throughout the country and has submitted numerous amicus and principal party briefs to the United States Supreme Court.

Rick has authored or co-authored many articles, law journals and law review publications including Trade and Investment with the People's Republic of China, Florida Bar Journal, International Law Quarterly, Winter 1993, Vol. XII, No. 2. 31; Contributing Editor, The International Sale of Goods, by E. Allan Farnsworth; and Inside the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, The Record: Journal of The Appellate Practice and Advocacy Section, June 1999, Vol. VII, No. 4.

Rick is also the author of many state statutes (including Florida’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act), city and county ordinances, and school board policies throughout the country. He provides first amendment litigation services under contract to miscellaneous government organizations in the area of sexually oriented business regulation.

Rick has served as a guest lecturer at law schools and colleges across the nation including Harvard University School of Law and regularly speaks at regional and national conventions such as the Christian Legal Society’s National Convention.

Rick serves on the Executive Council of The Florida Bar’s Appellate Practice and Advocacy Section, as the past Chairperson of The Florida Bar’s Federal Appellate Practice Committee, and as the Chairperson of The Florida Bar’s Continuing Legal Education Steering Committee for Inside the Eleventh Circuit.

Rick received his B.A. Degree, magna cum laude, from Toccoa Falls College and served as a journeyman missionary to China. He then served as an assistant pastor to youth prior to receiving his Juris Doctor Degree from Stetson University College of Law. Rick serves and has served on assorted director and advisory positions such as the Florida State Board of Independent Colleges and Universities -- Advisory Board and Legal Issues In Independent Higher Education Board; Board Member of the Christian Legal Society of Central Florida; Board Member of the Community Issues Forum of Central Florida; Board Member of the Florida Council of Private Colleges, Inc.; Chairperson of the Community Issues Forum Education Committee; and President of the Christian Legal Society of Central Florida.

Rick’s professional memberships include the National Christian Legal Society; International Who’s Who; Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America; Who’s Who in American Law; Who’s Who in the South and Southwest; Who’s Who in Finance and Industry; and the American Trial Lawyers Association. Rick is admitted to practice before The United States Supreme Court; The Florida Bar; and The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh Circuits. Rick is also a member of the Bar of The U.S. District Courts of the Southern District of Florida, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, and Eastern District of Wisconsin.