James M. Nelson is a lawyer practicing trial practice, labor & employment, benefits & compensation and 5 other areas of law. James received a B.A. degree from University of Arizona in 1979, and . James practices in Phoenix, AZ.
Professional & Community Involvement
•Board Member, ALS Association, Greater Sacramento Chapter, 2016-2018
•Board Member, American College of Employee Benefits Counsel, Board of Governors, 2010-2018
•Member, ALS Association National Board of Representatives, 2017-2018
•Member, Arizona Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
•Mediator/Evaluator, Voluntary Dispute Resolution, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, 1997-2019 (Employee Benefit claim cases)
•Adjunct Professor, John Marshall Law School, 2010-2021
•Member, University of Arizona - James E. Rogers College of Law, Board of Visitors, 2017-Present
•Member, American Bar Association, 1987-2020
•Subcommittee Co-Chair, Welfare Plans, Benefit Claims, Labor and Employment Law Section, 2012-2014
•Subcommittee Co-Chair, Welfare Plans, Employee Benefits Committee, Labor and Employment Law Section, 2010-2011
•Board of Directors, Crossroads, a mental health rehabilitation agency, 1989-1996, 2009-2015
•Board of Directors, Sacramento Medical Group Managers Association, 1998-2013
•Member, California Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
Professional & Community Involvement
•Board Member, ALS Association, Greater Sacramento Chapter
•Board Member, American College of Employee Benefits Counsel, Board of Governors
•Member, Arizona Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
•Member, Century City Bar Association
•Mediator/Evaluator, Voluntary Dispute Resolution, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, 1997-Present (Employee Benefit claim cases)
•Member, American Bar Association
•Subcommittee Co-Chair, Welfare Plans, Benefit Claims, Labor and Employment Law Section, 2012-2014
•Subcommittee Co-Chair, Welfare Plans, Employee Benefits Committee, Labor and Employment Law Section, 2010-2011
•Outreach Coordinator, Labor Section, University of California at Davis School of Law and McGeorge School of Law, 2009-2010
•Board of Directors, Crossroads, a mental health rehabilitation agency, 1989-1996, 2009-Present
•Chairman, 1994-1995
•Former Member, Board of Directors, Sacramento Medical Group Managers Association, 1998-2013
•Chair, Arizona State Board of Education, Math Essentials Skills Advisory Committee, 1986-1987
•Member, California Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
•Vice Chair, Labor Section, Standing Committee on Individual Rights and Employee Benefits, 1989-1990
•Co-Chair, Arizona Bar, Labor Section, FEP/Employment Law Committee, 1986-1987 Fellow: College of Labor and Employment Lawyers
•Listed, Top Lawyer, Sacramento magazine, 2015
•Listed, Sacramento Business Journal, Best of the Bar, 2014
•Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Northern California Super Lawyers, 2013-2015
•Team Member, a Law360 Employment Practice Group of the Year, 2011 and 2013
•Nominee, Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, Council established pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 1142, 1988
•Certificate of Appreciation, Arizona Bar Foundation, Center for Law-Related Education, 1986
•Listed, Who's Who in American Law
•Listed, Who's Who in the West
•Rated, AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5
AV, BV, AV Preeminent and BV Distinguished are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used under in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Member: Professional & Community Involvement •Board Member, ALS Association, Greater Sacramento Chapter •Listed,Who's Who in American Law •Listed,Who's Who in the West •Rated, AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5AV , BV , AV Preeminent and BV Distinguished are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used under in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Articles, Publications, & Lectures Publications •Chapter Editor, Employee Benefits Law, ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law Fall 2013 Cumulative Supplement, Third Edition, Chapter 14, 2011-2013 •Author, Health and Welfare Benefit Plans: A Legal Guide to Planning and Management , Juris Publishing, Third Edition, 2009 •Contributing Author, Employee Benefits Law, ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law, Bureau of National Affairs, Cumulative Supplements , Second and Third Edition, 1989-2008 •Editor, Employee Benefits Committee Newsletter , ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law, 2003-Present •Chapter Author, Arizona Employment Law Handbook , Arizona Bar Labor Section, 1996, and Second Edition, 2003 •Contributor, Employment Law Compliance for New Businesses , California Continuing Education of the Bar,1998 Articles •Author, AB 10: Minimum Wage Hike to $9 Per Hour This Summer,Los Angeles Daily Journal, January 21, 2014 •Co-Author, The Year in Calif. Employment Law: What to Know for 2014,Law360, December 11, 2013 •Author, The CA Minimum Wage Increase and the Resulting 12.9% Salary Increase for Many Exempt Employees ,GT LE Blog, October 9, 2013 •Author, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, ERISA 510 and the Next Generation of Benefits Litigation Concerns,American Bar Association Employee Benefits Committee Newsletter, Spring 2013 •Author, Silence Can Be a Good Thing for Employers - Another Installment in the Saga of Wage and Hour Class Actions and Arbitration in California ,GT LE Blog, April 26, 2012 •Co-Author, Notable California Legislative Changes and Case Law Updates - and Actions to Consider in Response ,GT Alert, March 28, 2012 •Author, The 2010 California Legislative Session Limps to an End; An Update on Employment-Related Bills Awaiting a Decision by the Governor ,GT LE Blog, September 1, 2010 •Author, Justice John Paul Stevens and the Development of Employee Benefits Law,American Bar Association Employee Benefits Committee Newsletter, Summer 2010 •Author, Does HIRE Really Mean It's Time to Hire?Los Angeles Daily Journal, April 12, 2010 •Quoted, New Federal Law Prohibits Use of Genetic Information by Employers,Sacramento Business Journal, November 20, 2009 •Author, The ERISA Legacy of Justice David H. Souter,American Bar Association Employee Benefits Committee Newsletter, Fall 2009 •Author, Avoiding the Boomerang Dooce,GT Sacramento Newsletter, July 2009 •Quoted, Job Discrimination Claims on the Rise: Sacramento-Area Claims Increase 19%,Sacramento Business Journal, April 17, 2009 •Author, Employee Life Insurance and Retirement Benefits After the Divorce,GT Sacramento Newsletter, March 2009 •Author, The Case for Bonuses,Los Angeles Daily Journal; Insight Column, April 3, 2009 •Author, When Family Ties Come Undone,Los Angeles Daily Journal; Insight Column, March 6, 2009 Speeches/Lectures •Speaker, 2014: New Issues in Labor and Employment Law, IWLA California Summer Meeting & Issue Update, International Warehouse and Logistics Association, Carson, CA, June 5, 2014 •Speaker, 2014: New Issues in Labor and Employment Law, IWLA California Warehouse Labor Law Webinar, International Warehouse and Logistics Association, April 3, 2014 •Panelist, Emerging Trends in ERISA Litigation: Impact of the ACA, Actions Against Church Plans, and More, National Forum on ERISA Litigation, American Conference Institute, October 24, 2013 •Speaker, An Affordable Care Act Update and Employment and Labor Law Developments, Employer Aid 2013: A Year in Review and a Look Forward, GT Labor & Employment Seminar, Phoenix, AZ, October 2, 2013 •Speaker, Alternative Workforces: Minimizing Liability for Joint Employment and Contractor Misclassification - Mitigating Risks when Using Subcontractors, Temp Agencies, Leased Employees, Interns and Independent Contractors, Strafford Publications Webinar, August 28, 2013 •Speaker, California Labor Law: Contract Labor in Warehouses and AB 1855 - What 3PLs Must Know About California Labor Rules and Regulations, International Warehouse Logistics Association, Webinar, February 26, 2013 •Speaker, 525,600 Minutes (But How Much Do I Have to Pay In Overtime for That?) and Just As If We Never Said Goodbye: Disability Law After the ADA Amendments Act And Managing Employee Health Issues, Greenberg Traurig's 12th Annual Labor and Employment Seminar (GT on Broadway), Phoenix, AZ, October 24, 2012 •Co-Presenter, Like Holding a Tiger by the Ears - Managing Employment Risk in Turbulent Times, 15th Annual California Health Care Leadership Academy, April 2012 •Co-Presenter, A Financial Analysis of Government Subsidies for Individual Coverage: Can Sponsors Afford Not to Drop Group Coverage? ABA Labor and Employment Law Section Employee Benefits 2012 Midwinter Meeting, Coronado, CA, February 17, 2012 •Presenter, The Real Impact of Health Care Reform on IWLA Members, International Warehouse Logistics Association, The Marriott, Long Beach, CA, September 29, 2011 •Co-Presenter, Alternative Workforce and Employee Benefit Liability Issues for the CA Employer, GT Webinar, Helping Companies Move Forward in Uncertain Times, 2011 California Labor & Employment Strategies and Updates - Part II, March 9, 2011 •Co-Presenter, Legislative and Administrative Developments Worthy of Notice: Strategies to Minimize Liability While Maintaining Maximum Compliance, GT Webinar, Helping Companies Move Forward in Uncertain Times, 2011 California Labor & Employment Strategies and Updates - Part I, February 9, 2011 •Presenter, Welcome to 2010! Identifying and Managing the Risks Taken in 2008/2009, 28th Annual Tulane Law School Multi-State Labor & Employment Law Seminar, Don Cesar Beach Resort, St. Pete Beach, FL, May 21, 2010 •Presenter, Welcome to 2010: Challenges and Opportunities, California Fashion Association, Los Angeles, CA, April 8, 2010 •Presenter, Welcome to 2010: Challenges and Opportunities, California Bottled Water Association 2010 Convention, The Island Palms Hotel and Marina, San Diego, CA, March 22, 2010 •Presenter, Temporary Employees: Benefits and Challenges, Sacramento Employers Advisory Council, Sacramento, CA, March 10, 2010 •Presenter, Owning and Operating an Urban Winery or Brewery: 1. The Top Ten Most Effective Ways to Manage the Risk of Being a California Employer, While Improving Morale and Operating Efficiency 2. The Top Five Completely Avoidable Ways to Blow it All Up in the Blink of an Eye 3. Lore vs. Law, San Diego, CA, November 12, 2009 •Co-Presenter, What? Did I Say Something Wrong? Developing Effective Harassment Training Programs for the Construction Industry, Associated General Contractors - Arizona Chapter, Phoenix, AZ, November 10, 2009 •Presenter, Independent Contractor or Employee: Guidelines to Ensure Compliance, Webinar: Employee vs. Independent Contractor: Legal & Tax Issues You Need to Know, National Constitution Center, October 22, 2009 •Presenter, Age Discrimination & Employee Benefits - A New Ballgame, American Conference Institute's Premier Forum on Defending and Managing ERISA Litigation, Union League, Philadelphia, PA October 20,2009 •Presenter, Dr. Vader Will See You Now: Adapting to the New Cal-OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Disease Standards, Sacramento Valley Chapter of the Society of Medical Group Managers, October 14, 2009 •Presenter, Whose Employee is it Anyway? Employee Status in Troubled Times, 27th Annual Tulane Law School Multi-State Labor & Employment Law Seminar, Westin La Cantera Resort, San Antonio, TX, May 16, 2009 •Moderator, Employment Law Recent Developments and Employee or Independent Contractor: Pros and Con's, Continuing Education of the Bar, Sacramento Hilton Arden West Hotel, March 7, 2009 •Co-Presenter with Magan Ray & Ian Herbert, New COBRA Rules: Implementing them Without Getting Bitten, GT Webinar, March 4, 2009 •Presenter, I've Been Sued for What? Managing Employment Risk in Difficult Times, Sacramento Valley Chapter of the Society of Medical Group Managers, February 11, 2009 •Moderator, Recent Developments in Employment Law, California Continuing Education of the Bar, 1991-Present •Faculty and Planning Committee Member, Annual Multi-State Labor and Employment Seminar, 1987-Present •Moderator, Employee or Independent Contractor? Pros and Cons, California Continuing Education of the Bar, 2005, 2009 •Faculty, Americans With Disabilities Act Litigation. Defense Research Institute, Inc., 1996 •Faculty, Current Issues in Employment Law, California Continuing Education of the Bar, 1990-1992 •Faculty, Labor Relations and the Financially Distressed Employer, Arizona Bar Labor Section, 1990 •Faculty, Arizona Bar Association Annual Convention, Labor Section Seminar, 1986, 1988 •Program Chair, ERISA and Employee Benefits Litigation, Continuing Legal Education Series, Arizona Bar, 1986 •Faculty, Beyond the Prima Facie Case, Arizona Bar Labor Section Seminar Series, 1986 Alerts •Co-Author, 2013 California Employment Law Legislative Update: Things You Need to Know for 2014 ,GT Alert, November 19, 2013 •Co-Author, Obama Administration Announces Delays for the Reporting and Penalty Requirements for Employers ,GT Alert, July 11, 2013 •Co-Author, Employer Mandate Delay ,GT Alert, July 3, 2013 •Co-Author, What Businesses With California Employees Should Consider Before January 1, 2013,GT Alert, December 2012 •Co-Author, Notable California Legislative Changes and Case Law Updates - and Actions to Consider in Response,GT Alert, March 2012 •Author, What the California Election Means to Employers and What They Can Do,GT Alert, November 2010 •Co-Author, Parting Gifts from the Governator - California's Significant New Employment Laws,GT Alert, October 2010 •Author, 2010 California Legislative Session Limps to an End - An Update on Employment-Related Bills Awaiting a Decision by the Governor,GT Alert, September 2010 •Co-Author, Cal-OSHA Adopts Airborne Transmissible Disease Safety Standards with an Employer Provided Respirator Requirement - Effective August 5, 2009,GT Alert, July 2009 •Author, Employee Life Insurance and Retirement Benefits After the Divorce,GT Alert, March 2009 Associated News & Events Press-Releases 07.08.14 15 Greenberg Traurig Attorneys Included in 2014 Edition of Northern California Super Lawyers & Rising Stars 06.24.14 Greenberg Traurig's James M. Nelson to Present at Society of Human Resource Management's Annual Conference 10.24.13 Greenberg Traurig's Jonathan L. Sulds & James M. Nelson to Speak at ACI's 6th Annual National ERISA Forum 09.25.13 Greenberg Traurig Expands Phoenix Labor Practice 08.21.13 24 Greenberg Traurig California Attorneys Recognized in 2014 Edition of Best Lawyers in America 08.19.13 28 Phoenix Greenberg Traurig Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers in America 2014 List 07.30.13 Ten Greenberg Traurig Attorneys Included in 2013 Edition of Northern California Super Lawyers & Rising Stars 11.12.12 Greenberg Traurig Shareholder James Nelson Elected to the Board of Governors of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel 09.21.12 26 Greenberg Traurig California Attorneys Included in 2013 Edition of Best Lawyers in America 12.23.11 Greenberg Traurig's Labor and Employment Practice Recognized Among Law360's Employment Groups of the Year Published Articles 04.12.10 Does HIRE Mean It's Time to Hire? Alerts 11.19.13 2013 California Employment Law Legislative Update: Things You Need to Know for 2014 07.11.13 Obama Administration Announces Delays For the Reporting and Penalty Requirements for Employers 07.03.13 Employer Mandate Delay 12.06.12 What Businesses With California Employees Should Consider Before January 1, 2013 03.28.12 Notable California Legislative Changes and Case Law Updates - and Actions to Consider in Response 11.09.10 What The California Election Means to Employers and What They Can Do 10.14.10 Parting Gifts from the Governator - California's Significant New Employment Laws 09.02.10 2010 California Legislative Session Limps to an End - An Update on Employment-Related Bills Awaiting a Decision by the Governor 07.21.09 Sacramento Newsletter 07.16.09 Cal-OSHA Adopts Airborne Transmissible Disease Safety Standards with an Employer Provided Respirator Requirement--Effective August 5, 2009 Member: Professional & Community Involvement •Board of Governors, American College of Employee Benefits Counsel •Board of Directors, Sacramento Medical Group Managers Association, 1998-Present •Mediator/Evaluator, Voluntary Dispute Resolution, United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, 1997-Present •Member, American Bar Association •Subcommittee Co-Chair, Welfare Plans, Benefit Claims, Labor and Employment Law Section, 2012-2013 •Subcommittee Co-Chair, Welfare Plans, Employee Benefits Committee, Labor and Employment Law Section, 2010-2011 •Outreach Coordinator, Labor Section, University of California at Davis School of Law and McGeorge School of Law, 2009-2010 •Board of Directors, Crossroads, a mental health rehabilitation agency, 1989-1996 •Chairman, 1994-1995 •Chair, Arizona State Board of Education, Math Essentials Skills Advisory Committee, 1986-1987 •Member, California Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section •Vice Chair, Labor Section, Standing Committee on Individual Rights and Employee Benefits, 1989-1990 •Co-Chair, Arizona Bar, Labor Section, FEP/Employment Law Committee, 1986-1987 •Member, Arizona Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section •Member, Century City Bar Association
•Board Member, American College of Employee Benefits Counsel, Board of Governors
•Member, Arizona Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
•Member, Century City Bar Association
•Mediator/Evaluator, Voluntary Dispute Resolution, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, 1997-Present (Employee Benefit claim cases)
•Member, American Bar Association
•Subcommittee Co-Chair, Welfare Plans, Benefit Claims, Labor and Employment Law Section, 2012-2014
•Subcommittee Co-Chair, Welfare Plans, Employee Benefits Committee, Labor and Employment Law Section, 2010-2011
•Outreach Coordinator, Labor Section, University of California at Davis School of Law and McGeorge School of Law, 2009-2010
•Board of Directors, Crossroads, a mental health rehabilitation agency, 1989-1996, 2009-Present
•Chairman, 1994-1995
•Former Member, Board of Directors, Sacramento Medical Group Managers Association, 1998-2013
•Chair, Arizona State Board of Education, Math Essentials Skills Advisory Committee, 1986-1987
•Member, California Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
•Vice Chair, Labor Section, Standing Committee on Individual Rights and Employee Benefits, 1989-1990
•Co-Chair, Arizona Bar, Labor Section, FEP/Employment Law Committee, 1986-1987 Fellow: College of Labor and Employment Lawyers
