Nichols, Todd C.

Michael Nelson is Chairman of NLdH. Mr. Nelson concentrates his law practice on complex insurance matters involving insurance class actions, insurance regulatory matters, reinsurance and bad faith/extracontractual claims. He analyzes insurance coverage and defends claims in matters involving complex coverages, such as first-party property, recission, construction defects, environmental matters, director and officer liability, errors and omissions, personal injury/advertising injury, and life/health/disability. He has represented insurers and reinsurers in matters of complex litigation in multiple jurisdictions throughout the country.

Mr. Nelson actively participates in a number of legal associations and brings his expertise in insurance matters and corporate defense work to organizations such as the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC), Lawyers for Civil Justice (LCJ) and The Defense Research Institute (DRI). Mr. Nelson is frequently asked to speak before insurance industry trade groups such as the Property Loss Research Bureau (PLRB), International Association of Special Investigation Units (IASIU), The Defense Research Institute and Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI). He has testified in Washington, D.C. concerning amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure on several issues, including class actions and electronic discovery. Mr. Nelson proactively addresses regulatory issues on behalf of the insurance industry by regularly attending conferences and providing commentary before the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). He has been awarded Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating of A.V.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Mr. Nelson worked for eleven years for MetLife's Property & Casualty Company in its King of Prussia, Pennsylvania office. At MetLife, he was actively involved in all aspects of claims adjusting, and during his last three years, managed the King of Prussia, Claims Office, which was responsible for a six state region.

Mr. Nelson has been actively involved in litigation relating to auto insurance and the cost of automobile repair for 15 years. During the 1980s, he was certified on I-CAR issues while acting as an automobile estimating supervisor for the MetLife Property & Casualty office in the King of Prussia/Philadelphia region. Prior to becoming an automobile adjuster in 1981, Mr. Nelson worked in a number of body shops, including several his family owned or managed. In essence, he has been involved in automobile repair and insurance matters since he was a child.

Since becoming a lawyer, Mr. Nelson has been involved in auto insurance class actions involving issues related to diminished value, aftermarket parts, proper repair-estimating methods, steering, unfair and deceptive trade practices, total loss valuations, and other concerns automobile insurers and repairers grapple with on a daily basis. Mr. Nelson regularly attends NACE meetings and is actively involved in monitoring those topics affecting insurers and automobile repairers. Nelson Levine de Luca & Hamilton also publishes a periodical which is highly regarded by the industry called Up to Speed.

Mr. Nelson has also been involved in class action matters concerning anti trust, premium pricing practices, property coverages, underinsurance coverage, injury cost containment and policy coverage offerings.

Public Testimony

Testimony regarding proposed rule changes to Federal Rules of Evidence 56 (summary judgment and expert discovery) before the Judicial Conference Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure, February 2, 2009, San Francisco, CA

Testimony regarding proposed rule changes to Federal Rules of Evidence 502 (selective waiver of privilege and e-discovery) before the Judicial Conference Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure, January 29, 2007, New York, NY

Testimony regarding proposed rule changes to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 26 (E-discovery) before the Judicial Conference Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure, February 11, 2005, Washington, DC

Testimony regarding proposed rule changes to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 23 (Class Actions) before the Judicial Conference Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure, August 2001, Washington, DC