Mary Katherine
Nelson

“We strive to add value to every transaction by not only offering legal advice, but also by understanding the practical risks and rewards of our clients' business decisions.”

Mary Katherine Nelson’s practice is concentrated in the areas of commercial real estate finance and general commercial real estate and business transactions. She represents lenders and borrowers in negotiating, documenting, and closing loans secured by commercial property. Mary Katherine works primarily with insurance company and banking clients, drafting and negotiating loan documents and completing due diligence. Mary Katherine also regularly assists clients in real estate acquisitions/sales, development projects, and commercial leasing matters.

Mary Katherine values the importance Nyemaster places on fostering a team mentality. She recognizes her colleagues are skilled in various specialty areas of law and knows that all are willing and eager to work together to help clients succeed. “Nyemaster attorneys work collaboratively as a team, and our clients benefit from that approach.”

A finance major in college, Mary Katherine selected a career in law to blend her interests in business and finance. Results-driven by nature, she strives to work efficiently and be responsive to client needs in all capacities of her practice. She also thrives in the collaborative environment in which she works where parties on both sides of the transaction are working together to reach a common goal.

A Kentucky native, Mary Katherine now enjoys exploring Iowa’s many bike trails and traveling when she’s not in the office. Mary Katherine is an active member of the board of directors of Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa and CREW Iowa (Commercial Real Estate Women). She also serves on the Sweet Dreams Committee for the By Degrees Foundation.

American College of Mortgage Attorneys
Fellow

CREW Iowa (Commercial Real Estate Women)

Board of Directors (2019–2024)

Sponsorship Committee Member (2019–Present)

By Degrees Foundation

Board of Directors (2024–Present)
Fundraising Committee Member (2024–Present)
Sweet Dreams Committee Member (2019–Present)

Easterseals Iowa

Admiral (2025)

Goodwill of Central Iowa

Board of Directors (2020 - 2022)

Iowa State Bar Association

Kentucky Bar Association

American Bar Association

Polk County Bar Association

"Title Insurance 101: A Primer for Real Estate Attorneys"
American Bar Association, 2023

“Cannabis Leasing In Iowa: Emerging Real Estate Issues”
CREW Iowa, 2018

“Public Benefit Corporations in Kentucky: What Impact Should Kentucky Corporations Expect?” 104 Ky. L. J. 165, 2016

Chambers USA
America's Leading Business Lawyers, Real Estate, 2021-2023

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
Corporate Law, 2022-2025
Project Finance Law, 2025
Real Estate Law, 2025

Great Plains Super Lawyers
Rising Stars, 2021-2024

Des Moines Business Record Forty Under 40
Honoree, 2023

Order of the Coif

Kentucky Law Journal

Senior Staff Editor
Senior Staff Editor of the Year Award

OVERVIEW

Mary Katherine Nelson’s practice is concentrated in the areas of commercial real estate finance and general commercial real estate and business transactions. She represents lenders and borrowers in negotiating, documenting, and closing loans secured by commercial property. Mary Katherine works primarily with insurance company and banking clients, drafting and negotiating loan documents and completing due diligence. Mary Katherine also regularly assists clients in real estate acquisitions/sales, development projects, and commercial leasing matters.