Liesl E. Nelson

Criminal Defense Attorney

Your life is worth defending. Liesl Nelson has spent three decades proving it. As a founding member of Wisconsin's Treatment Courts and a 2022 Aulik Award recipient, she doesn't just defend clients in the system. She helped build a better one.

 

Your case is next.
This is who you call when you need an attorney who sees the person, not just the charge.

Liesl E. Nelson

Liesl E. Nelson

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Nelson Defense Group is the shield that protects you –
giving voice to your story when it matters most.

Liesl Nelson looking and research for a case.

“You’re more than the charges you’re facing. I am here not only to help you with your legal troubles, but to set you up for a successful future, both in and out of the courtroom. Your story matters, your future matters.”

~ Liesl E.Nelson

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Aulik Award - Liesl Nelson

Wisconsin Association of Treatment Court Professionals (WATCP).

Nelson Defense Group is the shield that protects you –
giving voice to your story when it matters most.

Liesl and Steve working together on a case in the Nelson Defense Group library.
Liesl smiling with team in the Nelson Defense Group library.

About Liesl E. Nelson

BIO

Liesl Nelson brings 3 decades of public defender experience, a passion for justice, and a reputation for advocacy that protects the most vulnerable in our communities.



 

Career Highlights


 

  • Former Assistant State Public Defender primarily assigned to Pierce & St. Croix Counties, where she represented clients in a broad spectrum of criminal, juvenile, mental health, child protection, and supervision revocation cases.

  • Spearheaded and actively supported multiple problem-solving court initiatives
, including Treatment Courts and Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils.

  • Founding member of the Pierce and St. Croix County Treatment Courts, helping reshape local approaches to justice

  • Board member of Wisconsin Association of Treatment Courts since 2007, with experience as president, treasurer, chair of the Education Committee, and member of the committee rewriting Wisconsin’s Treatment Court Standards

  • Served on the Pierce and St. Croix County Criminal Justice Coordinating Councils, collaborating with judges, prosecutors, and other county agencies and stakeholders to improve outcomes in criminal and civil matters


Practice and Leadership

 

  • Dedicated to criminal defense work rooted in compassion, communication, and client-centered representation


  • Believes in humanizing clients beyond the charges, working to ensure voices are heard and stories are respected


  • Draws on interdisciplinary collaboration and community-based solutions to pursue meaningful justice

 

Liesl’s commitment reflects a clear conviction: your story matters, your future matters, and you deserve a defense that understands how much is at stake.

AWARDS

2022 - Aulik Award from the Wisconsin Association of Treatment Court Professionals 

EDUCATION

Washington University - B.A. 

University of Wisconsin Law School

We don’t just defend cases,
we defend people.

Aaron A. Nelson and his team focuses on the following practice areas and is available throughout the state of Wisconsin.