Joelle Nelson

Partner

Joelle.Nelson@lewisbrisbois.com

Joelle Nelson is an Equity Partner in the Houston and Dallas offices of Lewis Brisbois and serves as Co-Chair of both the firm’s National General Liability Practice and its Transportation Practice. A dynamic and results-driven litigator, Ms. Nelson is nationally recognized for her leadership in high-stakes, multi-industry litigation and for her ability to deliver strategic, legal solutions to clients across a wide range of sectors.

With a litigation portfolio that spans transportation, construction, energy, retail, and environmental law, Ms. Nelson has successfully defended clients in complex matters involving catastrophic injury, trucking and bus accidents, freight broker liability, transportation network companies (TNCs), mass casualty events and toxic tort multidistrict litigation (MDL), excess casualty claims, and construction defect claims. Her product liability experience ranges from defending manufacturers of industrial equipment—such as horizontal auger boring machines—to everyday consumer goods.

Ms. Nelson also represents national retailers, hospitality groups, and small businesses in premises liability and food safety litigation and has extensive experience in oil and gas disputes as well as environmental and environmental remediation matters, including all phases of cleanup and regulatory compliance.

Known for her commanding courtroom presence and meticulous case preparation, Ms. Nelson is a trusted advisor to clients navigating high-exposure litigation. She is particularly valued for her ability to distill complex legal issues into clear, actionable strategies and for her unwavering commitment to client advocacy.

Her approach is defined by diligence, clarity, and a deep understanding of each client’s operational and reputational priorities. Ms. Nelson empowers her clients with straightforward guidance, proactive risk management, and a relentless focus on achieving favorable outcomes—whether through early resolution or trial.

Primary Area(s) of Practice

  • General Liability
  • Transportation
  • Construction
  • Products Liability
  • Bad Faith Litigation
  • Professional Liability
  • Environment, Land, & Natural Resources Law
  • Hospitality
  • National Trial Practice
  • Talc Litigation

Additional Experience

Admissions

Texas

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Bankruptcy Division

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Supreme Court of the United States of America

Associations

  • The Harris County Bar Association
  • The Fort Bend County Bar Association
  • The Women Contractors Association
  • Texas State Bar Oil, Gas, Energy Resource Division 
  • Texas State Bar, Construction Division
  • Texas State Bar, Litigation Division

Awards & Honors

In 2011, 2012, and 2013 Ms. Nelson was named a Texas Super Lawyer “Rising Star,” which recognizes the top up-and-coming attorneys in the state. Compiled through peer nomination and research, only two percent of attorneys in Texas, under 40 years-old, receive this distinction.

Ms. Nelson was listed in Best Lawyers in America® 2023-2026— Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants

Professional Presentations

  • "Scott Pilgrim v. The World: Preemption Roadmap to Defeating AB5 Classification." Joelle Nelson, CLE, April 2023
  • "Transportation." Joelle Nelson, March 2023
  • "Don't Tread on Me: How to Keep Your Constitution During Corporate Representative Depositions." Joelle Nelson, CLE, May 2022
  • "How to Turn Irritating Settlement Negotiations into a Successful Mediation." Joelle Nelson, CLE, January 2021
  • The “3 in 1” on Texas Construction Law.  Joelle Nelson, CLE, August 2021
  • "First and Third Party Claims Litigation.” Joelle Nelson, CLE, August 2015

Education

South Texas College of Law

Juris Doctor

University of Southern Maine

Bachelor of Science

Prior Experience

Ms. Nelson was the briefing attorney for Justice John S. Anderson, with the Fourteenth District Court of Appeals. She drafted several, often complex, civil and criminal appellate opinions.

Publications

  • “Traps Along the Road to Future Medical Care Awards." Joelle Kenney, April 8, 2002, TEXAS LAWYER, VOL. 18, pg. 30
  • "CORPORATE GEMS: The Corporate Practice of Medicine." Joelle Kenney, July 21-23, 2002, TTLA Advances Personal Injury Law Course 2002, Houston, Texas
  • "Medical Malpractice: Recent Developments from the Plaintiff's Perspective." Joelle Kenney, March 6, 2003, South Texas College of Law, Personal Injury Law Conference 2003, Houston, Texas
  • “Health Care Liability: Experts.” Joelle Kenney, August 14, 2003, University of Houston Law Center, Tort Reform and Insurance Law: 2003 Legislative Update.

Representative Cases

As a briefing attorney for the Fourteenth Court of Appeals, Ms. Nelson drafted the dissent in Lawrence v. State, 41 S.W.3d 349 (Tex. App.--Houston [14th Dist.] 2001, pet ref’d), cert. granted, 531 U.S. 1004, and judgment reversed, 539 U.S. 558 (2003), elements of which were later adopted by the United States Supreme Court.

Community Activities

Ms. Nelson is also a participant and Co-Chair of the Chevron Houston Marathon “Hero” Program benefiting The Parish School, which is a non-profit school specializing in intervention for children with neurological differences.

Personal Statement

Ms. Nelson is married to Christopher Nelson and they have a daughter, Jocelyn Grace. Together, Joelle and her family support local Houston schools specializing in children with neurological differences.