Patrick A. Nielson ’71 graduated with a BA in political science from Lewis & Clark College and received his JD. in 1975 from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. He also attended Harvard Business School’s Executive Education Programs for board directors in 2005-2006. While at L&C, Patrick lettered in baseball all four years and was the Terry Angel Memorial Scholarship recipient his senior year. He also participated in off-campus programs to Chile and Washington, D.C.
Mr. Nielson is a business advisor and the principal in his firm, The Law Office of Patrick A. Nielson, P.C., which he established in 2010. Fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese, he has extensive international experience completing transactions and international business structures in Latin America, Asia and Europe. He serves on the board of directors of companies engaged in renewable energy, food production and real estate.
Mr. Nielson served as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Human Resources Director of Natura International, Inc. in 2008-2009, also serving as an adviser to the board of directors of its Brazilian parent and public company, Natura, S.A. From 2002-2008 he was Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Nueva Holding, Inc. (GrupoNueva) with timber, wood products, water solutions and construction companies throughout Latin America. There he led the consolidation and reorganization of Amanco in fourteen countries and its subsequent sale as well as the merger of Masisa and Terranova, both Chilean public companies in the forestry industry. GrupoNueva is owned by a trust whose principal beneficiary is the AVINA Foundation.
Employed by Dole Food Company, Inc. for over seventeen years, from 1983-2001, Mr. Nielson served as Vice President, General Counsel and as Vice President for International Legal and Regulatory Affairs. Mr. Nielson led law and government programs in the United States and internationally for Dole. He managed acquisitions, government relations and strategic business structures for growth in Europe, Latin America and Asia. Responsible for the environmental management program, he also led communications efforts that gained positive international recognition. Prior to joining Dole Food Company, Mr. Nielson was a partner with the San Francisco law firm of Lukens, St. Peter & Cooper. He and his wife, Dorris, make their home in Santa Barbara and Portland.