About Nelson A. Locke, Esq.

Mortgage industry professionals nationwide trust Nelson A. Locke and Locke Law Offices as their go-to source for legal guidance, as well as a thorough understanding of state and nationwide mortgage laws and regulations.

Nelson has built a legal practice on expertise gained during more than 30 years dealing with all aspects of the general mortgage industry. His primary focus is on mortgage industry compliance and audit practices, and he is an acknowledged expert in the field of reverse mortgages with 30 years of expertise. He is constantly in demand as an expert witness in the financial services industry.

A Wealth of Experience and Wisdom

After many years of success as an entrepreneur and a mortgage banker, Nelson took his accomplishments to the next level as a licensed, practicing attorney.

Nelson continued his professional career while simultaneously studying at Concord Law School at Purdue Global Law School. He was admitted to the California Bar in 2013 after passing two of the nation’s most rigorous bar exams.

He is admitted to federal districts in Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Colorado, and California. Nelson is currently challenging oppressive attorney licensing laws in Texas in order to become a practicing member of the state bar. You can see his case summaries at the Texas Supreme Court Web Site - Case #24-0139.

Personal History

During the Vietnam Era, Nelson served our country honorably as a United States Marine. On discharge, he was a non-commissioned Officer.
He previously served 13 years as CEO and Chairman of Amstar Financial Services, a publicly traded Residential Mortgage Lender which grew to generate over a half billion dollars of loan volume annually.
He served for 10 years as Legal and Compliance Officer, as well as principal shareholder, at VFMS. While providing all types of residential mortgages the firm specialized in reverse mortgage banking. The firm was constantly ranked in the top 50 nationwide.
Nelson has been a licensed mortgage loan originator and underwriter since 1991.

Founder of Virtual Education Is Real Education Initiative

in 2022, Nelson founded the Virtual Education Is Real Education. Nelson believes that everybody has a right to a quality education, and that learning online is just as valuable as sitting in a classroom.

Through hard work and discipline, he earned both his bachelor’s degree and law degree through online education. Yet Texas regulators refused to recognize his admission to the California Bar and five federal district courts. Is that fair?

Now in partnership with a well-recognized Dallas Law Firm, he’s working to change the incorrect perceptions Texas holds about online legal education by challenging the Texas Board of Law Examiners in federal court.

For more information visit https://youtu.be/aABoqTNH-U4?si=3OAOmsDfg9xN47Ez

UPDATE – Success! On May 6th, 2025, the Texas Supreme Court ordered the TBLE to waive certain admission requirements for Nelson. On June 20th, 2025, Nelson was admitted to the Texas Bar. His Texas Bar number is 24147328.

As allowed by Texas TDRPC Rule 7.04(a)(3), this is an advertisement for Professional Services provided to Mortgage Industry Participants and Law Firms only. This information is not intended for use by the general public. Attorney Nelson Locke is currently licensed by the California State Bar (Cal Bar 293842) and the Texas Board of Law Examiners (Tex Bar 24147328) and admitted to certain Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and California Federal Districts. To the extent that this website is deemed an “advertisement for state specific legal services,” Attorney Locke only advertises for state specific legal services in California and Texas. In other states, Attorney Locke may advertise for matters involving Federal Law such as Immigration (EOIR TT766946) or Compliance with Federal Mortgage Lending Regulations. Attorney Locke also acts as an Expert Witness as requested by licensed attorneys involved in litigation. Jon Gordon is our non-attorney National Client Services Manager for Mortgage Industry matters. Juan N. Pacheco Jr JD is our non-attorney National Manager of Immigration Services. No warranties about our work product can be given expressed or implied. Clients are unique, and results will differ because of the facts in the analysis. This internet web site and other social media are not to be construed as giving legal advice. Further, no attorney client relationship will ever exist until the client says so and an agreement exists in a signed writing. If a Trust Account is required by the Bar for your type of engagement, one will be used to protect you. Attorney Locke is also licensed by the NMLS (Safe Act 149450) and approved to originate residential mortgages in Florida and Texas. Attorney Locke’s principal office is located in Plano, Texas. Contact Attorney Locke or his staff at (800) 656-4584. Fax to ( (954) 251-4923. Copyright 2014-2025 Nelson A. Locke, Esq. All rights reserved.