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Bob Nelon Bob Nelon

Robert “Bob” D. Nelon

Of Counsel

T 405-553-2805 | F 405-553-2855

Cell 405-590-5736

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A leading resource on Media and First Amendment Law issues, Bob Nelon is listed in Who’s Who in America and America’s Registry of Outstanding Professionals and has an AV rating through Martindale-Hubbell. 

Through the years Bob has represented a large number of national media clients, including ABC, CBS, NBC, A&E Television Networks, BBC America, Gannett (US Today), The New York Times, Dow Jones & Co. (The Wall Street Journal), Time Inc., Random House, Conde Nast, The Walt Disney Co., Allbritton Communications, Hearst Television, The E.W. Scripps Company, and Stephens Media, as well as numerous local television and radio stations and newspapers.

Bob is a frequent speaker or panelist on media law topics and is the author of various articles on media law including “Media Defamation in Oklahoma: A Modest Proposal and New Perspectives,” 34 Okla. L:. Rev. 478 (Part I), 34 Okla. L. Rev. 737 (Part II) (1980) and "The Peculiar Case of State v. Terry Lynn Nichols: Are Television Cameras Really Banned from Oklahoma Criminal Proceedings," - Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment Law & Practice - (2001).

Bob served in the USMC(R) from December 1967–December 1974 and was full time active duty from January 1972 through December 1974. After training at The Basic School at Quantico and Naval Justice School in Newport, RI, he was assigned as a JAG officer for the 2nd Marine Air Wing at Cherry Point, NC where he achieved the rank of Captain.

Education

  • University of Oklahoma College of Law (J.D., 1971)
  • Northwestern University (B.A. in Political Science, 1968)

Admissions

  • Oklahoma (1971)
  • U.S. District Court of the Northern, Eastern and Western Districts of Oklahoma
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Services
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Second, Eighth and Tenth Circuits
  • United States Supreme Court
  • 1995 - Present Hall Estill
  • 1971, 1975 - 1995 Andrews Davis Legg Bixler Milsten & Price
  • 1966-1970 Oklahoma Attorney General Office (part-time)
  • 1972-1974 USMCR, JAG, MCAS Cherry Point, NC
  • Recipient of the 2025 Gourley Leaders in Literacy Award from the Community Literacy Centers
  • Presented with Lifetime Achievement Award and inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame (2024)
  • Recognized as the Best Lawyers' Oklahoma City Lawyer of the Year for Litigation-First Amendment in 2013 and 2021
  • Named a Lifetime Achiever by Marquis Who's Who in 2018
  • Recognized as a Best Lawyer in America in First Amendment Law and Litigation-First Amendment
  • Recognized as an Oklahoma Super Lawyer in First Amendment and Media and Advertising Law
  • Recognized as a Band 2 attorney by Chambers USA in Litigation: General Commercial
  • Recipient of the 2009 Bobby G. Knapp Bar Leadership Award presented by the Oklahoma County Bar Association for "sustained and effective leadership in the OCBA, distinguished by stewardship and professionalism reflecting the highest values of our legal community."
  • Recipient of the 2006 Marian Opala First Amendment Award presented by Freedom of Information Oklahoma
  • Recipient of the 2006 Journal Record Leadership in Law Award
  • Recipient of the Oklahoma Bar Association 1978 Award of Merit, 1999 Meritorious Service Award, and 2006 Professional Service Award
  • Member of MAPS4 Citizen Advisory Board & Chair of the Venues Subcommittee 
  • Member of MAPS 3 Citizen Advisory Board & Chair of the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Improvements subcommittee
  • Oklahoma Academy for State Goals
  • Leadership Oklahoma (Class VI) and Leadership Oklahoma City (Class VIII)
  • Member, Board of Directors of the American Red Cross of Central & Western Oklahoma 2025-Present
  • American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma, Emeritus Member of Board of Directors and former President (2010–11)
  • Community Literacy Centers, Board of Directors (1989-2008), President (1993-1997), Advisory Board of Directors (2008-present)
  • Church of the Servant (United Methodist), Administrative Council (1984-1988, 2006-2010)
  • Pine Knoll Townes (NC) Homeowners Association Board of Directors (1999-2002, 2007-present) 
  • American Bar Association, Forum on Communications Law (Governing Board 2002-2005)
  • American Judicature Society
  • Oklahoma Bar Association, Communications Committee (2003-2023); Vice-Chair (2012 - 2023)
  • Oklahoma County Bar Association, Treasurer (1987-2023)
  • Oklahoma County Bar Foundation, Board Member & Treasurer (1995-present)
  • Media Law Resource Center, President (2010) of Defense Counsel Section (1985-present); Executive Committee (2007-2011); Emeritus Member (present)