Rod Nelson was raised in the Yakima Valley and chose to return to Central Washington after completing his education at the University of Washington.  Nelson is a personal injury lawyer focusing on auto accidents, products liability, workplace and nursing home injuries. He is a past member of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Board of Governors and past president of the Yakima County Bar Association.  He is AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell. Nelson is a volunteer attorney for Yakima County Volunteer Attorney Services and a Judge Pro Tem for Yakima County Superior Court.  He prides himself in giving friendly, personal service to his clients. 

When he is not practicing law, Nelson spends his free time skiing or climbing mountains. Nelson's ascents include Cho Oyu Mountain in the Himalayas, the sixth highest peak in the world; Huascaran, the fourth highest peak in the Peruvian Andes; the North Ridge of the Grand Teton; Mt. Rainier's Liberty Ridge; and Yosemite's El Capitan and Half Dome. Nelson also has a black belt in Shudokan Karate.