Nelson Jarrin, JD

Nelson is an attorney with more than a decade of experience in health care law and policy. He works with his fellow team members and national experts to design strategies that will deliver more effective and efficient mental health care. He also assists the Institute with regulatory compliance, statutory interpretation, and legal analysis.

Nelson previously served as the Vice President of Government Affairs. In that role, he provided data-driven policy and program guidance to legislative leaders, state agencies, and local communities to improve the delivery of mental health services in Texas.

Prior to the Meadows Institute, Nelson served as the Legislative Director and General Counsel for Texas State Senator Charles Schwertner. As one of Senator Schwertner’s most trusted advisors, Nelson managed the Senator’s legislative agenda, specializing in health policy and the state budget. During the 2014-2015 biennium, Nelson oversaw the Sunset Advisory Commission process for Senator Schwertner, which reviewed and reorganized all state health agencies.

Before joining Senator Schwertner’s team, Nelson worked as an attorney at the Texas Legislative Council, where he drafted legislation and provided legal advice for all 181 members of the Texas Legislature. At Legislative Council, he drafted over 800 bills and amendments in the areas of health law, hospital law, occupational regulation, and criminal law.

Nelson earned his law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School, where he graduated magna cum laude and served as President of the Hispanic Law Students Association. Before law school and his work in the private sector, Nelson graduated summa cum laude from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in economics.