Matthew Nelson

Managing Partner

Matt.Nelson@lewisbrisbois.com

Matthew Nelson is the managing partner in the Charleston, West Virginia office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the Class Action & Mass Tort Practice. As a member of the Firm’s Toxic Tort and Asbestos Practice - a talented group of lawyers who are widely recognized as leaders in the representation of manufacturers, retailers, suppliers and premises owners across the country, Mr. Nelson is entrusted with representation of clients throughout the country and in his home state of West Virginia. In addition to significant experience in mass litigation and toxic tort cases, Mr. Nelson has extensive experience in complex litigation involving catastrophic personal injury cases and commercial litigation. Recently, Mr. Nelson coordinated the investigation into the failure of one of the largest reinforced soil slopes in the world and defended the property owner in dozens of cases arising out of the failure. 

As national and regional counsel for a number of clients in toxic tort litigation, Mr. Nelson and his team are entrusted to coordinate and maintain an efficient, effective and consistent defense to reduce expenses, liability and exposure. Mr. Nelson takes time to understand his clients’ business and industry. He has interviewed hundreds of retired safety professionals, physicians, engineers and facility managers - investigating and understanding decades of history involving numerous facilities across the United States pertinent to current and future potential claims. Also, Mr. Nelson is currently active in defense steering committees designed to maintain order to dockets containing thousands of cases and to eliminate or reduce frivolous mass tort lawsuits. 

Mr. Nelson routinely assists clients in employment-related matters, including age, gender disability, workers’ compensation discrimination, wrongful discharge, sexual harassment, wage and hour, and workplace safety lawsuits. In addition, Mr. Nelson has significant experience in cases involving debt collection, data breach, and product liability. Finally, Mr. Nelson routinely represents companies and employers in the oil, gas and coal industries. A native Mountaineer, Mr. Nelson understands the extraction industries and their importance to the local and national economy.

Primary Area(s) of Practice

  • Class Action & Mass Tort
  • Transportation

Additional Experience

Admissions

West Virginia

United States District Court Southern District of West Virginia

Associations

  • Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia
  • Defense Research Institute

Awards & Honors

  • Best Lawyers in America® - 'Best Lawyers' Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2024)
  • Best Lawyers in America® - Mass Tort (2023)
  • Super Lawyers - Rising Star, 2008-2015
  • Martindale Hubbell AV Rating

Professional Presentations

  • “Premises and Employer Liability” – Perrin’s Cutting-Edge Issues in Asbestos Litigation Conference 2018 – March 8-9, 2018, Beverly Hills, California
  • "Regulation and Litigation" - Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia Annual Meeting, 2010
  • "The Class Action Fairness Act" - Defense Trial Counsel of West

Education

West Virginia University College of Law

Juris Doctor, 2003

Universidad Madera - Puebla, México

1998

High Point University

Bachelor of Science in International Business, summa cum laude, 2003

Publications

  • "Ramblings of a Young Lawyer" - The Whisper - DRI Young Lawyer Monthly, Winter 2010
  • "Regulation and Litigation" - Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia Annual Meeting, 2010
  • "The Class Action Fairness Act" - Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia Litigation Conference, Winter 2007

Community Activities

  • Board Member - Winfield Little League, 2014 to present
  • Manager - Winfield Little League / St. Albans Little League, 2012 to present
  • Coach - Winfield Youth Basketball / St. Albans Girls Basketball, 2010 to present