Christopher A. Nelson
Attorney · U.S. Air Force Veteran · Peoria Native
I didn't become a lawyer because it looked good on paper. I became a lawyer because my own family has been through the legal system, the hard way. I know what it feels like to sit on the other side of the desk. That experience shapes everything I do for my clients.
Where I Come From
I was born and raised in Peoria, Illinois. I went to Notre Dame High School here, earned my Boy Scout merit badges here, and grew up watching my grandfathers, both veterans, live out the kind of quiet duty that doesn't ask for recognition but just does what needs to be done.
After 9/11, I felt that same pull to serve. In 2004, I joined the United States Air Force. I spent six years in uniform, from 2004 to 2010, carrying forward my family's legacy of service. Those years taught me a lot about discipline, about showing up when it's hard, and about the difference between following orders and doing what's right.
After I left the service, I went to work. I earned my Bachelor of Science from Illinois State University in 2008, then went on to Northern Illinois University College of Law, where I earned my Juris Doctor in 2012. I was on the Dean's List, a semi-finalist in the Moot Court Competition, and I served as Vice President of the Public Interest Law Society, because even in law school, I was drawn to the work of helping people who couldn't help themselves.
I spent time at Hanauer Law Office and Murphy & Dunn, P.C. before opening my own practice. Those experiences taught me how firms operate, but they also showed me what I wanted to do differently: give every client the kind of personal attention that's hard to find in a busy office with too many cases and too many handoffs.
"I have been in your shoes. My family and I have faced almost every aspect of the legal system personally. You need someone who has been where you are and knows what you are going through. I am an experienced attorney who will help bring you through the complexities of the legal system."
— Christopher A. Nelson
Today, I run Christopher Nelson Law Office, LLC out of Peoria. I handle family law, criminal defense, DCFS matters, civil juvenile adjudication, guardian ad litem appointments, and appellate work across nine counties in Central Illinois. I'm admitted to practice in Illinois state courts (since 2013) and the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois (since 2021). In 2024, I earned my Guardian ad Litem certification for the 10th Circuit.
But my credentials are just the baseline. What really matters is this: if you contact my office, you'll always be dealing with me. I'll guide you through the process. You get someone who has personally sat where you're sitting, who knows how terrifying it feels, and who has dedicated his career to making sure nobody has to go through it alone.
Background & Credentials
📚 Education
- Notre Dame High SchoolPeoria, Illinois
- Illinois State UniversityNormal, IL — Bachelor of Science, 2008
- NIU College of LawDeKalb, IL — Juris Doctor, 2012
- Dean's ListNorthern Illinois University
- Moot Court Semi-FinalistNIU College of Law
- VP, Public Interest Law SocietyNIU College of Law
⚖️ Bar Admissions
- State of Illinois2013
- U.S. District CourtCentral District of Illinois, 2021
📋 Certifications
- Guardian ad Litem10th Circuit of Illinois, 2024
🏛️ Professional Memberships
- Peoria County Bar AssociationMember
- Illinois State Bar AssociationMember
- American Bar AssociationMember
💼 Prior Experience
- Hanauer Law OfficeAttorney
- Murphy & Dunn, P.C.Attorney