Overview

Michael Nelson represents and advises employers in a broad range of employment matters, including class actions, wage and hour claims, alternative dispute resolution, whistleblower retaliation, wrongful termination, and harassment and discrimination. Michael has successfully defended employers in trial, arbitration, and administrative actions, and he has extensive experience defending employers in statewide wage and hour class actions and representative actions brought under the California Labor Code and Private Attorneys General Act. Michael represents employers of all sizes ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, and spanning many industries including transportation, technology, retail, health care, construction, and staffing agencies. In his practice, Michael has negotiated and settled lawsuits ranging from single plaintiff litigation to class actions involving over 16,000 putative class members.

Michael also provides advice and counseling to employers on a wide variety of topics, including personnel management, independent contractors, overtime exemptions, meal and rest period issues, overtime calculations, expense reimbursement, and wage and hour policies and procedures.

Prior to joining Littler, Michael worked for a firm in the East Bay area focusing on civil litigation and public entity representation. During law school, he clerked at the Yolo County District Attorney’s office and the Alameda County Superior Court. He also served on the Trial Practice Honors Board and was a senior articles editor on the UC Davis Law Review.

Professional & Community Affiliations

Member

Contra Costa Bar Association

Speaking Engagements

California Employment Law Update: What’s in Store for 2024

Walnut Creek, CA

January 2024

Managing Employees' Pre-Existing Injuries

Lorman Webinar

May 10, 2017

Injuries in the Workplace: Practical Tips and Policy Advice to Assist Employers Managing Employees with Preexisting Injuries and Other Disability Accommodation Issues

Webinar, Lorman Education Services

October 25, 2016

Education

  • J.D., University of California, Davis, 2012
  • B.A., Columbia University, 2007

Bar Admission

California

Courts

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California