2023 40 Under 40 Honoree: Marlene Van Nelson (34)
“I do what I do to make law less scary and more accessible — to help people make their dreams come true in a way that makes them feel empowered, rather than challenged or shut down.”
Marlene Van Nelson
Owner and Principal Attorney, Trellis Legal LLC
Marlene van Nelson pictures her law firm as a trellis — a support system that helps others get off the ground and grow to new heights.
Since founding Trellis Legal in 2016, van Nelson has guided more than 600 small businesses, nonprofits and farms by helping clients build firm legal foundations for their businesses, from drafting operating agreements to negotiating leases.
She makes legal advice accessible by offering free resources on her website and Instagram, organizing community networking events and even accepting small businesses’ products and services as payment for her expertise.
By bridging the gap between the law and clients’ dreams, van Nelson says she accomplishes “the biggest win in the world — helping clients do what they do best.”
