Paul Nelson

Paul J. Nelson is a Certified Family Law Specialist and founding partner of Nelson Kirkman & Levanger, a boutique family law firm in Newport Beach, California. Board-certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, Paul brings 28 years of experience to his practice, focusing exclusively on high-asset divorce, complex property and business division, spousal support, child custody and support, paternity, domestic violence, modifications, enforcement of court orders, and collaborative divorce for clients with significant net worth and financial complexity.

Paul is recognized for bringing the same preparation and strategic discipline to family law that his clients apply to their businesses. Having handled hundreds of family court cases, he has developed an exceptional familiarity with the judges and opposing counsel throughout Orange County. He assesses cases thoroughly from the outset—identifying key issues, marshaling the right financial and legal resources, and positioning matters for early resolution or, when necessary, trial. Known by clients as a committed and tenacious advocate who handles sensitive matters with care, his results-driven approach has earned him the AV Preeminent peer-review rating from Martindale-Hubbell and recognition as a Southern California Super Lawyers honoree for six consecutive years (2021–2026).

A thought leader in his field, Paul is the author of The Dissolution Solution (2023) and has contributed more than a dozen articles to the Orange County Business Journal on topics ranging from prenuptial agreements and business valuation to courtroom strategy and forensic accounting. His commentary has been sought by Forbes, Fortune, and the OCBJ, and he has been named to the OC 500 list for three consecutive years.

Paul earned his J.D. from the University of West Los Angeles School of Law (1997) and his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Utah. He is admitted to practice in California and the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. He is a member of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, the Orange County Bar Association's Family Law Section, and the State Bar of California's Family Law Section.