James Nelson is an associate in the firm’s General Liability Group.

James brings a diverse background in litigation. Prior to joining Rivkin Radler, James was an attorney for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), where he worked for seven years. There, he defended the Secretary of Veterans Affairs before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) through VA’s Court of Appeals Litigation Group. His duties included appellate briefing and motion practice before the CAVC in over 250 appeals relating to veterans’ benefits claims. He also performed initial case analysis, recommended case dispositions, and negotiated attorney fee dispute settlements while managing a daily caseload of up to 65 appeals.

A Poughkeepsie native, James returned to the Hudson Valley in 2024. Upon his return, he engaged in commercial litigation, including pre-complaint negotiations, motion practice, and discovery in disputes relating breach of contract, fraud, mechanic’s lien foreclosure and conversion. He also brings to his litigation practice experience in residential and commercial real property transactions, formation and operation of business entities, and commercial contract negotiations.

James has also represented clients in contested estate proceedings, having successfully briefed and argued, as respondent, before the New York State Appellate Division, Second Department, on issues of testamentary capacity and undue influence in the Matter of Curtis, 130 A.D.3d 722, 13 N.Y.S.3d 496 (2d Dep’t, 2015).

Outside of the office, James has a great appreciation for the outdoors and arts, spending much of his free time pursuing ultra trail running, photography, skiing, and golf.

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

Education

Albany Law School, J.D.

Franklin and Marshall College, B.A.

News & Publications

• Rivkin Radler Welcomes 3 Attorneys
  July 29 | 2024