Breaking the Ice: St. Thomas, national honors for mining company counsel

Jessica Nelson, chief legal officer at Nashwauk-based Mesabi Metallics, has received both local and national honors for her professional and community contributions.

Nelson was this year’s recipient of the University of St. Thomas School of Law’s Alumna Achievement Award, with the school citing her “leadership, professionalism, hard work, excellence and respect for others.”

She said she was “shocked” this month when she also received the Solo General Counsel of the Year award as part of The American Lawyer’s 2025 Industry awards program.

Nelson attributed the honors to her pro bono work, including volunteer and past board service such as St. Paul’s Outreach and her mentorship to young lawyers.

An experienced litigator, Nelson, then a Spencer Fane partner, served as outside counsel to Mesabi Metallics before she joined the company in March. The company is building what would be the first new mine and pellet plant in Minnesota in almost 50 years.

“I was drawn to the chance to be fully embedded in the business, working side by side with leadership, influencing decision-making in real time and helping guide a project that has significant implications for the region, the industry and the future of sustainable mining,” Nelson said.

Name: Jessica Nelson

Title: General counsel, chief legal officer, Mesabi Metallics

Education: B.A., communications, University of St. Thomas; J.D., University of St. Thomas Law School

Q: Best way to start a conversation with you?

A: Asked me about my family. My husband, Jesse, and I have five extraordinary children, and they are by far my greatest pride.

Q: Why law school?

A: I wanted to make a meaningful difference in my community. The law has an extraordinary ability to create change, whether through economic development policy or individual advocacy, and I knew that becoming a lawyer would give me the tools to contribute in a way that aligned with my values.

Q: What are you reading?

A:  I am listening to “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer. It’s about how to stay emotionally healthy and spiritually alive in the chaos of the modern world.

Q: Pet peeve?

A: Condescension.

Q: Best part of your work?

A: Knowing that what I do contributes to a project with the potential to reshape an entire region’s economic future. Being part of something so consequential that could create jobs, strengthen domestic industry and bring long-term value to Minnesota. Gives my work incredible purpose.

Q: Most challenging?

A: Navigating the sheer scale and complexity of a project of this magnitude. It is like drinking from a fire hose. There are legal, regulatory, commercial and operational pieces that all have to align at the right time. So, balancing those moving parts while keeping momentum and a clear head can be demanding. But it’s also what makes the word so rewarding.

Q: Favorite activity away from work?

A: Spending time with my family. I especially love to eat good food prepared by someone else, usually my husband.

Q: Where would you take someone visiting your hometown?

A: I grew up in a very small town in North Dakota. I would either visit the family farm, or if I could go back in time, I would take someone to visit my grandpa and his large collection of self-playing musical instruments.

Q: Legal figure you admire?

A: Retired Judge James Rosenbaum. I had the great privilege of spending two years clerking in his chambers right out of law school. He’s remained a key mentor and friend. And Debbie Ellingboe, who led the litigation group at Faegre until she passed away last year, way too young. I got to know Debbie because she clerked for Judge Rosenbaum years before me, and she became a close friend, and I always looked up her.

Q: Misconception about your work?

A: The major misconception about mining is that that it still is what it was decades ago. But the technology, the sustainable practices and regulatory responsibilities have changed dramatically over the decades. Today’s mining projects are highly engineered. They’re closely monitored and designed with environmental responsibility and safety at the forefront, so mining and environmental stewardship can coexist and at Mesabi, they do and must.

Q: Favorite book, movie or TV show about lawyers?

A: “My Cousin Vinny” is iconic, those courtroom scenes. I also love “To Kill A Mockingbird,” because standing up for what is right is important, even if it’s unpopular.