As a survivor of a serious brain injury, Mike brings a unique empathy to the victims of acute brain and spinal cord injury. He has the knowledge, training and expertise necessary to provide the best legal representation available.

While in college, Nelson was returning from a ski trip on Interstate 90 when an oncoming truck crossed the centerline and struck his vehicle head-on. The driver of the truck was intoxicated at the time.

Mike suffered orthopedic trauma and serious head injuries. He was in a coma for a number of days, followed by several weeks of total amnesia and serious cognitive, behavioral and neurological problems.

Following the accident, Nelson made what treating University of Washington neurosurgeons called a "miraculous recovery". That is, his memory - except for the time period immediately before the accident until approximately three weeks after - returned, along with a rapid recovery of cognitive and functional abilities.

Mike is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and is a Washington State Trial Lawyers Association Eagle Member. He is a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, and has served as an arbitrator on many personal injury cases. He has spoken at numerous legal continuing education seminars and published articles in Trial News. Mike is also a member of the national Brain Injury Association and the Brain Injury Association of Washington. In addition, he has chaired the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association's brain injury seminar.

Mike has been honored with induction into the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. The forum is limited to select trial lawyers who have demonstrated skill and excellence in advocacy by achieving a jury verdict or settlement of one million dollars or more.

Mike was born and raised in the Puget Sound area. He attended Renton High School, then the University of Washington. He graduated cum laude in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Mike received his law degree from the University of Puget Sound in 1974, as part of its first graduating class.

As a young lawyer, Mike was the lead attorney for an umbrella group of environmental organizations in the landmark ASARCO case, which set new legal precedent for Washington air pollution cases. He has been active in community affairs including organizational work on the campaign to save Seattle's Pike Place Market.

Mike is an outdoor enthusiast and extreme skier. He has traveled four continents looking for the next challenge.