Casandra J. Nelson
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Practice Areas:
- Family Law 70%
- Appeals 10%
- Estate Planning & Probate 10%
- Civil Litigation 10%
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Biography
CASANDRA J. NELSON ("Casi") grew up in Noblesville, Indiana, and was admitted to the Indiana Bar in 2014. Ms. Nelson is also licensed to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. She graduated from Indiana University in 2010 with a B.A. in Journalism. She received her law degree, magna cum laude, from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2014. Ms. Nelson's academic achievements include graduating in the top 4% of her class, being a Dean's Scholar, and belonging to the country’s number one ranked Moot Court program, where she received semi-finalist and finalist titles at national competitions, as well as a best individual oral advocate award and a best written brief award. While in law school, Ms. Nelson interned for the Honorable James R. Klindt, United States Magistrate Judge, and for a law firm in Jacksonville, Florida. After passing the bar, Ms. Nelson started her legal career as an associate attorney for the law firm, Campbell Kyle Proffitt LLP. She then owned her own law practice for more than eight years before joining Altman, Poindexter & Wyatt LLC. Ms. Nelson is involved with the Indiana State Bar Association and serves as Office Administrator for the Hamilton County Bar Association. Ms. Nelson was recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2019-2024.
Ms. Nelson currently practices in the areas of appellate law; estate planning and probate; civil litigation; and family law, including issues related to divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, paternity, prenuptial agreements, post-decree modifications, emancipation, relocations, CHINS, adoption, and protective orders. Ms. Nelson is also a qualified and registered Family Law Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) through the Indiana Courts and advocates for the best interests of children. She is also a staff attorney for the Hamilton County GAL/CASA Program.
Ms. Nelson lives in Carmel, Indiana with her husband, their three daughters, and their dog.
Education
- Florida Coastal School of Law, Jacksonville, Florida
- J.D. - 2014
- Honors: magna cum laude
- Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
- B.A. - 2010
- Honors: Dean's List
- Major: Journalism
Bar Admission
- Indiana, 2014
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, 2014
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana, 2014
Representative Cases
- In re Z.H., 219 N.E.3d 187 (Ind. Ct. App. 2023)
- Burnell v. State, 56 N.E.3d 1146 (Ind. 2016)
- D.A. v. State, 58 N.E.3d 169 (Ind. 2016)
- Kahn v. Baker, 36 N.E.3d 1103 (Ind. Ct. App. 2015)
Professional Associations
- Indiana State Bar Association, Member, 2014 to Present
- Hamilton County Bar Association, Member and Office Administrator, 2014 to Present
Honors
- Best Individual Oral Advocate and Finalist, Zehmer National Moot Court Competition
- Finalist, Billings, Exum, & Frye National Moot Court Competition
- Best Brief and Semifinalist, Chicago Bar Association National Moot Court Competition
Pro-Bono Activities
- Sparrow Clubs of Indiana, Past Board Member
- District 6 Access to Justice, Past Volunteer
- Carmel Rotary Club, Past Member
- OneZone Chamber of Commerce, Past Member
- Park Tudor School, Past Cheerleading Coach
- Hamilton County Child Protection Team, Current Member
Past Positions
- Campbell Kyle Proffitt LLP, Associate Attorney, 2014 to 2016
- Law Office of Casandra J. Nelson, LLC, Attorney, 2016 to 2024
Languages
- English
Fraternities or Sororities
- Alpha Xi Delta
Current Employment Position
- Of Counsel