Mike Nelson | Partner

Mike Nelson is a mobility nerd, trial attorney, and strategist who works at the intersection of transportation, tech, insurance, and law.

His clients are businesses focused on disruption affecting these sectors. He draws on his lifelong experience in the mobility sector to focus on regulatory and legal risks as he assists his clients to embrace their future as they work through the introduction of Advanced Mobility Tech (AMT).

Many professionals claim to understand these unusual risks. But few, if any, have the 40 years of experience Mike has enjoyed as an auto body mechanic, strategist, business owner, insurance industry leader, regulatory attorney, and litigator. The foundation of Mike’s professional life is built upon 28 years as a commercial litigator and regulatory attorney. Before that, he spent 12 years in the insurance industry. Mike’s litigation experience includes class action, multidistrict litigation, trial, and appellate work. He has litigated matters in most states in the U.S. and is licensed in five jurisdictions and admitted to practice in 20 U.S. district and circuit courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Mike “Mobility Nerd” Nelson is a leading voice in insurtech innovation and a recognized expert in advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and electric vehicles. Mike has deep expertise in navigating regulatory challenges and shaping the future of insurance law. He is an active participant with the NAIC, a board member of the RAND Institute for Civil Justice, and a contributing member of the Society of Automotive Engineers’ data subcommittees, where he influences critical discussions on automated driving systems and sustainable transportation.

A globally sought-after speaker, Mike shares his insights on the evolution of automated technology, the integration of electric vehicles, and the regulatory frameworks required to support these advancements. His thought leadership makes him an invaluable resource for organizations, industry events, and podcasts looking to understand and adapt to the rapidly transforming mobility landscape.

In addition to his work at Nelson Legal, Mike is Founder and Chairman of QuantivRisk. QuantivRisk is the first company to evaluate accidents using next-gen technology and data science, providing a data-backed view into accident circumstances, reducing subjectivity in claims resolution and liability determination. By accelerating insurance claims innovation, QuantvRisk harnesses vehicle technology’s potential for greater efficiency and objectivity in collision analysis and claim settlement

Representative Experience:

  • Power v. Erie (3d Cir.) – affirming judgement in life insurance coverage cancellation seeking breach of contract and bad faith under PA and GA law.
  • Capitol Auto Body v. State Farm (C.D. Fla. MDL and 11th Cir.) – affirming judgement from the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Florida in an MDL from 20 states regarding alleged antitrust conduct on behalf of all insurance companies against automobile repairers.
  • Professionals Auto Body v. The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies (W.D. Pa. and 3d Cir.) – trial court and appellate matters involving allegations of bad faith, breach of contract, and unjust enrichment against automotive insurer.
  • Kleinsasser v. The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies (W.D. Wash. and 9th Cir.) – defeated class certification and obtained summary judgment in favor of insurer client, now on appeal to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • The Hammocks LLC v. Harleysville Mutual Insurance Company (W.D.N.C.) – obtained a jury verdict in favor of insurer client in case involving arson and material misrepresentation.
  • Jones v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (PA) – successfully argued before the Pennsylvania Superior Court and Pennsylvania Supreme Court obtaining dismissal of Plaintiff’s proposed class action complaint under the “Made Whole Doctrine.”
  • Shapiro v. U.S. Department of Justice, Geico, National Insurance Crime Bureau and other insurers (2d Cir.) – affirming dismissal by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in case alleging malicious prosecution.
  • Flatiron Restoration v. Amica Mutual Insurance and other insurers (D. W.Va.) – obtained dismissal of plaintiff’s antitrust complaint.
  • Gainesville case (11th Cir.) – obtained dismissal in favor of insurers of antitrust matter previously certified by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida.
  • Johnson v. Safe Auto Insurance Company (MO) – secured dismissal of class action certified against defendant insurer where insured alleged breach of contract and violation of the consumer protection laws and unjust enrichment.

Education:

  • J.D., Temple University, Beasley School of Law
  • B.S., State University of New York at Cortland

Admissions:

  • Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Courts: E.D. PA, M.D. PA, W.D. PA, S.D. NY, E.D. NY, N.D NY, D. CT, D. NJ, CO
  • U.S. Appellate Courts: Second Circuit, Third Circuit, Fourth Circuit, Ninth Circuit, Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Recognitions and Memberships:

  • SAE International Member
    • Automated Driving Data Logger Committee
    • Event Data Recorder (EDR) Committee
  • RAND Corporation — Board of Advisors
  • Professional Liability Underwriters Society: PLUS
  • PAVE (Partners for Automated Vehicle Education) — Board of Directors