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Brian Scott Nelson
also known as Brian S. Nelson, Brian Nelson
About Brian
Biography
Brian Nelson comes from a family of lawyer/athletes. His father, Richard Nelson, was the senior partner at the largest firm in Bellevue, Washington for many years. He received the prestigious 50th year award by the State Bar. His brother Eric Nelson, a former University of Washington basketball player, heads his own firm in Seattle, Washington and teams up with Brian as co-counsel on many cases. He was named the Washington Lawyer/Athlete of the Year. His brother Peter Nelson practices law in San Marino, California and is a Certified Wine Specialist. He ran the Paris Marathon and is an avid tennis and basketball player. 6 foot 5 inch Brian was on the Pepperdine Team that won the Schick Superhoops Competition. His Lawyer League Teams consistently won the Landau Lawyers Basketball League. He is also a serious mountain biker and snowboard/skier. His work ethic and competitive spirit will get you the top recovery in your case.
Mr. Brian Nelson is a member of the Million dollar Advocates Forum. The Million Dollar Advocates Forum is recognized as one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States. Membership is subject to strict review and is limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts, awards and settlements as principal counsel. Forum membership acknowledges excellence in advocacy, and provides members with a national network of experienced colleagues for professional referral and information exchange in major cases.
Brian Nelson is a member of ABOTA (American Board of Trial Attorneys), an association of Top Tier Trial Attorneys whose mission is the preservation of the civil jury trial. "Justice by the People," is the primary purpose of ABOTA. They seek attorneys who display skill, civility and integrity, and help younger attorneys achieve a higher level of trial advocacy. They educate the public about the vital importance of the Seventh Amendment. Thomas Jefferson was of the opinion that the right to trial by a jury of fellow citizens was a more important safeguard of personal liberty than the right to vote. With a jury, the rights and duties of each of us are decided by our fellow citizens, not by some bureaucrat or governmental functionary. ABOTA agrees with Jefferson and is a leader in the fight to preserve and protect your right to a jury trial. ABOTA is dedicated to “Justice by the People.”
Brian has also been awarded the title of Super Lawyer for the past seven years in a row. Each year, no more than 5% of all lawyers in the State of California are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Car Accident
50%
37 years | 2,000 cases
Personal Injury
25%
37 years | 1,000 cases
Slip and Fall Accident
20%
37 years | 500 cases
Wrongful Death
5%
37 years | 25 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Contingency
25%-40%
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 11 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 2015
No misconduct found
Licensed in California for 37 years
State: California
Acquired: 1989
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of Brian Nelson
280 S. Beverly Drive, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA, 90212
Law Offices Of Brian Nelson, Seattle
1001 4th Avenue, Suite 4400, Seattle, WA, 98154-1192
Law Offices of Brian Nelson
280 S. Beverly Drive, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA, 90210
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Brian Scott Nelson's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
20 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 5 of 10 reviews | Recommendation
Posted by Joseph | November 02, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury
Great Professional Attorney
My experience with Mr. Brian Nelson was outstanding. He delivered a satisfying resolution to my personal injury case. Along the way, he was openly communicating with me on every detail of the process and was honest about my options. He also provided top-tier medical treatment for me. I trusted his ex...
Posted by anonymous | January 23, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Car Accidents
Five Star Lawyer
Brian Nelson really helped me through a difficult time after my car accident. He showed the insurance company that my best interest was the priority. He is definitely someone that you want on your side.
Posted by Kathy | September 13, 2023 | Hired Attorney
Brian Nelson law Office
Outstanding is the best word for Brian Nelson! Brian always responded immediately and consistently! Brian is professional, reliable, and extremely knowledgeable! 100% recommend Brian Nelson and Brian Yamato I wasn’t always the easiest person but The Brian’s always maintained being professiona...
Posted by Chris Castro | October 07, 2020 | Hired Attorney
GET BRIAN ON YOUR SIDE!
Brian and his team has consistently handled my case and are prompt in returning messages. I was referred to Brian by a friend and I feel confident referring him to friends too.
Posted by NoisyClam | March 24, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury
Great professionalism and service
I was referred to Brian Nelson. The team methodically and persistently worked my case. They patiently answered my questions and took the time to educate me on the laws and industry practices. The auto accident's case settled against the hyper-aggressive insurance company, who overstated opinio...
Brian Scott Nelson's Lawyer Endorsements
"Mr. Nelson is an excellent trial attorney and an accomplished and effective advocate for his clients. I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. I've worked against him, and later, beside him. He is a true professional. He is knowledgeable on the legal issues, and tenacious before a jury. Always on the client's side, he is personable and friendly in an informal setting, but the fighter in him is provoked at Trial. He's handled thousands of cases. That kind of experience is invaluable."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Nelson is an extraordinarily experienced and aggressive attorney. He is adept in all phases of litigation and fights vigorouosly for his clients. He is versatile in those areas of medicine that pertain to his clients' injuries. A well known and well respected trial lawyer in Southern California."
"Brian Nelson was my mentor when I first entered the practice of law. I feel lucky to have learned under his tutelage. I owe much of my own success to the many things that Brian taught me. He handles himself with dignity and respect at all times."
"Brian Nelson is one of the most creative and effective attorneys practicing in California. His ability to analyze a case and zero in on the key issues consistently generates impressive results."
"Mr. Nelson is a zealous advocate for his clients. He exhibits the highest level of professional courtesy without compromising the interestes of his clients. His results speak for themselves and I give him my highest recommendation."
"I have had the pleasure of knowing Brian Nelson for many years. Since I first met him, I have had the opportunity to see Brian's interaction with his clients and his zealous work on their behalf. From my experience, I can confidently say that Brian Nelson is an attorney of the highest caliber. He achieves phenomenal results for his clients, who are always extremely grateful to him for the care, compassion, and hard work that he puts into their case. Furthermore, Brian has the trial experience and accreditations to fight any case every step of the way. In short, Brian Nelson is an exceptional lawyer, whom any client would be privileged to have working on their case."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. I have been acquainted with him and worked with him occasionally since 1989."
"Brian Nelson is a consummate professional who fights for his clients. He's a skilled negotiator and knows the law. His willingness to try cases means he's able to command large settlements. I have referred cases to him and all of them have been pleased by the special attention he gives them, his genuine concern for their well-being and the stellar results he achieved."
"Brian is an outstanding lawyer who obtains excellent results for his clients. He takes on tough cases and wins. If you hire Brian as your lawyer, you have hired a dedicated professional who will fight to the end for you and your cause."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Brian is an aggressive litigator, yet maintains his professionalism. He certainly is very well qualified to handle the largest and most complex personal injury matter."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. I first worked with Mr. Nelson on cases when we were associates at the same firm. Since then, he has represented me in my own personal injury case, where he obtained an excellent recovery. I have referred friends, relatives and clients to him, and all have been very pleased with the results. Mr. Nelson genuinely cares about his clients as people. He knows the law and the strategy. And he always makes every effort necessary to secure the highest amount possible. For all these reasons I am pleased to endorse Mr. Nelson."
"I have known Mr. Nelson for years. He is a tiger and a fantastic advocate for his clients. I highly endorse this lawyer's work."
James Bulger
Medical malpractice lawyer
Jonathan Seber
Personal injury lawyer
Eric Nelson
Personal injury lawyer
Brian Carness
Personal injury lawyer
Brandon Murphy
Probate lawyer
Torsten Bassell
Personal injury lawyer
Experience
Honors
2019
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2019
Million Dollar Advocate, Million Dollar Advocates Forum
2018
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2015
Super Lawyer 2015, Super Lawyers
2015
Top 100 Attorneys in California Nominee, California Top Attorneys
2014
Super Lawyer 2014, Super Lawyers
2014
2014 Litigator Award, Litigator Awards, Trial Board of Regents
2013
Super Lawyer of California, Super Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2012
Top Attorneys in Southern California, Top Attorneys
2005
Million Dollar Advocates Forum Member, Million Dollar Advocates
1984
Dean's Merit Scholarship, Pepperdine University Of Law
Work Experience
2009 - Present
Senior partner, Law Offices of Brian Nelson, A Professional Corporation
2008 - 2010
Trial Attorney, Brian S. Nelson, Attorney at Law
2000 - 2007
Trial Attorney, Stoll, Nussbaum & Polakov
1992 - 2000
Associate Attorney, Wilson, Kenna & Borys
1989 - 1992
Attorney, Rushfeldt, Sheeley & Drake
Associations
2019 - Present
Washington State Association for JusticeMember
2015 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember
2009 - Present
Beverly Hills Bar AssociationOfficer
2008 - Present
American Board of Trial AdvocatesMember
2008 - Present
Los Angeles Bar Association Referral ServiceQualified Referral Attorney
2007 - Present
United States Supreme Court BarMember
2005 - Present
Million Dollar AdvocatesMember
2001 - Present
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los AngelesMember
1992 - Present
Los Angeles County Bar AssociationMember
1989 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
1989 - Present
United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth CircuitMember
2009 - 2016
Santa Monica Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
J.G. v. S.E.
$900,000
Confidential Settlement
$11.5 million
F.O. v. Aguilar
$700,000
John Doe v. Car Manufacturer
$500,000
MS v. Los Angeles
$425,000
TP vs. USAA
$100,000 policy limits
Craig M. v. S. Apartments
$250,000
JG v. Farmers
Arbitration award $224,000
Janet A. v. LT Trust
$425,000
J.A. vs. Family Trust
$425,000
Troy H. vs. S. Apartments
$300,000
Scott P. v. E.M. and USAA Insurance Co.
$530,000
Nancy N. v. Mercury Insurance, et al.
$115,000
V.S. v. Apartment Group
$150,000
E.S. v. Nationwide Insurance
$156,000
E. Ruiz v. Star Indemnity
$100,000 insurance policy limits
Rene G. v. Safeco Insurance
$100,000 policy limits
Angela C. vs. Marie J.
$100,000 policy limits
Cooper v. CA
$6.5 million
Ruiz v. Vicens
$493,200
Lelong v. Seifert
$500,000
James Q. v. Twitchell
$100,000 policy limits
Volk v. Aspen
$675,000
Torres v. Brown
$4.3 million dollar verdict
Nancy K. v. Orchard Harvest
$500,000
Healy vs. Altamarino
$300,000
John Doe v. Unnamed Defendant
$500,000
Munoz v. CW Trust
$150,000 settlement
C.W. v. Benihana
$350,000 settlement
DAB vs. DC Trust
$500,000
Rascon v. Go Fresh, Inc.
$800,000
Maria A. v. City of LA
$850,000
Education
1988
Pepperdine Univ SOL
Law
1984
Washington St Univ
undergraduate
1979
Seattle Prepatory
High School
Speaking Engagements
1999
The Lawyer's View
Auto accident uninsured motorist insurance issues
Publications
2007
Court of Appeal of California
Schiavo v. Gold Strike Casino
2005
Court of Appeal
Carpenter v. American Honda Motor Co.
1999
California Reporter
Pacific Estates v. The Superior Court of Los Angeles
1992
Court of Appeal of California
Santa Patricia Investments v. Superior Court of Mono County
Languages
English
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides