John P. Nelligan was called to the bar in 1949 and became a founding partner in Nelligan Power in 1963. The firm, now Nelligan O'Brien Payne, has become renowned for the quality of its advocacy work. Much of Nelligan's experience is in insurance litigation and labour and employment law, where he has encountered all aspects of civil and commercial legal practice.
His peers have acknowledged his accomplishments with various honours and distinctions. In 1972 he was named a Queen's counsel. Since 1991, he has received the Law Society Medal, the Laidlaw Medal for Excellence in Advocacy and The Advocates' Society Medal. In 2000, he was made a life member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the year he marked 50 years at the bar in the County of Carleton Law Association. Last year, he received a Medal of Honour from that same association.
Nelligan has been no less active in the professional aspects of the law, assuming a high profile in a number of organizations. He has served as chair of the Civil Liberties Section of the Canadian Bar Association, director of The Advocates' Society, president of the Civil Liberties Association and president of the Thomas More Lawyers' Guild of Ottawa.
As he approaches his 81st birthday, Nelligan continues to manage cases and analyse legislation, and impress his colleagues with his insight and articulation of issues.