Michael Nelson is an experienced first-chair trial lawyer. Mike currently serves as
Practice Group Coordinator for the firm’s global Insurance Recovery and
Counseling group. He represents corporate clients in complex coverage disputes
against insurers and in high-stakes commercial litigation across the manufacturing,
technology, advanced materials, aerospace, and energy sectors. Clients praise Mike
for developing creative, business-aligned solutions to complex legal challenges that
align with broader organizational goals. Mike is valued by clients and colleagues
alike for his steady courtroom presence, deep knowledge of insurance and commercial
law, and commitment to practical, business-driven advocacy.
He has been recognized in both Insurance Law and Commercial Litigation
by The Best Lawyers in America® for multiple
years.
Mike exclusively represents corporate policyholders and has helped clients recover
billions of dollars from insurers under a wide range of policy types, including
advertising injury, bodily injury, first party and third-party property, business
interruption, directors and officers and cyber coverages. He has obtained bad faith
verdicts against insurers for improper claims handling and has negotiated favorable
policyholder resolutions, including coverage-in-place agreements and policy buyouts,
in disputes arising from alleged asbestos, silica, mixed dust, and PFAS exposures.
Mike also advises clients on risk management and insurance placement, helping them
navigate coverage issues in corporate transactions and pre-litigation settings.
From the outset of his career, Mike has represented Fortune 100 companies in complex
commercial litigation involving disputes with competitors, business partners,
customers, and suppliers. His experience spans a broad array of contract
types—sales and purchase agreements, service contracts, joint ventures,
distribution, and licensing agreements—often governed by Article 2 of the UCC.
He also has substantial experience defending corporations in consumer class actions,
antitrust litigation, product liability, fraudulent conveyance, executive
compensation, corporate veil piercing, and lost profits disputes.
