Atty. John Ray Nelson

Atty. John Ray Nelson

John Ray Nelson is a lawyer practicing labor and employment, immigration, civil litigation and 8 other areas of law. John received a M.A. degree from University of Washington in 1983, and has been licensed for 40 years.

Spokane Spokane 40 yrs experience 40 year
Call (509) 562-9486 Book Appointment

Civil Litigation & More Attorney · Serving Spokane, WA · 40+ Years Experience

Profile Summary

About John Ray Nelson at a Glance

John Ray Nelson is a Member based in Spokane, Washington, practicing at Foster Garvey PC. They have 40+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1986. Their practice focuses on trademark, copyright, employment, immigration, and ip. Admitted to practice in Washington (1986), Utah (1987), and Idaho (2006). Educated at University of Utah (J.D., 1986) and University of Washington (M.A. Economics, 1983). Recognitions include BV Distinguished. Serves clients in Spokane, WA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated October 2026

About John Ray Nelson

  • John Ray Nelson is a lawyer practicing labor and employment, immigration, civil litigation and 8 other areas of law
  • John received a M.A. degree from University of Washington in 1983, and has been licensed for 40 years
  • John practices at Foster Garvey PC in Spokane, WA

Practice Areas Explained

John Ray Nelson's Areas of Legal Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases John Ray Nelson handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Spokane.

Trademark Law in Spokane

John Ray Nelson is one of 23,086 trademark attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trademark attorneys in Washington →

Copyright Law in Spokane

John Ray Nelson is one of 17,404 copyright attorneys indexed nationally. Browse copyright attorneys in Washington →

Employment Law in Spokane

Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.

John Ray Nelson is one of 167,770 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Washington →

Immigration Law in Spokane

Immigration attorneys help with green cards, visas, citizenship, asylum, and deportation defense. Find a verified immigration lawyer for your case.

John Ray Nelson is one of 40,259 immigration attorneys indexed nationally. Browse immigration attorneys in Washington →

Intellectual Property in Spokane

IP attorneys protect inventions, brands, and creative work through patent prosecution, trademark registration, copyright, and trade-secret enforcement.

John Ray Nelson is one of 105,285 ip attorneys indexed nationally. Browse ip attorneys in Washington →

Jurisdictional Context

Why Local Counsel Matters in Spokane

Practicing law in Washington. Legal matters in Washington are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Spokane are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Washington state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Washington brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Washington courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Spokane Courts and Legal Process

Choosing a Spokane-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.

Looking for additional Washington attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Spokane or all attorneys in Washington.

Frequently Asked

Common Questions About John Ray Nelson

Where is John Ray Nelson's law office located?
John Ray Nelson's law practice is located in Spokane, Washington. The firm is Foster Garvey PC. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does John Ray Nelson handle?
John Ray Nelson focuses on trademark, copyright, employment, immigration, ip. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Washington.
How long has John Ray Nelson practiced law?
John Ray Nelson has 40+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1986.
Where did John Ray Nelson go to law school?
John Ray Nelson earned their education at (J.D., 1986); (M.A. Economics, 1983).
How can I contact John Ray Nelson for a consultation?
You can contact John Ray Nelson directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has John Ray Nelson received?
John Ray Nelson's notable recognition includes: BV Distinguished.

Professional Profile

Why Clients in Spokane Choose John Ray Nelson

Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish John Ray Nelson's practice in the field of trademark, copyright, employment, immigration, and ip.

Decade-Tested Legal Experience

John Ray Nelson brings 40+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.

Multi-State Bar Admission

Licensed in Washington, Utah, and Idaho, John Ray Nelson can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.

Broad Practice Area Coverage

Covering trademark, copyright, and employment, John Ray Nelson can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.

Local Presence in Spokane

A Spokane-based practice means John Ray Nelson attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.

Case Types

Common Legal Issues John Ray Nelson Handles in Spokane

Below is a representative sample of the types of matters John Ray Nelson has experience with under Washington law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.

Wrongful termination claims
Employment
Workplace discrimination
Employment
Wage and hour disputes
Employment
Non-compete agreement review
Employment
Green card applications
Immigration
Visa petitions and renewals
Immigration
Deportation defense
Immigration
Citizenship naturalization
Immigration
Trademark registration
IP
Copyright infringement defense
IP
Patent prosecution
IP
Trade secret protection
IP

This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact John Ray Nelson directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Search Reference

How People Find John Ray Nelson Online

Prospective clients searching for legal help in Spokane commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like John Ray Nelson.

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If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with John Ray Nelson directly.

Education & Law School Background

J.D.
University of Utah
- 1986
M.A. Economics
University of Washington
- 1983

Awards & Professional Honors

BV Distinguished

Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions

Washington
Admitted: 1986
Utah
Admitted: 1987
Idaho
Admitted: 2006

Client Reviews & Ratings — John Ray Nelson

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