Rodney Kenneth Nelson
Abeyta Nelson Injury Law
Rod Nelson was raised in the Yakima Valley and chose to return to Central Washington after graduating magna cum laude from the University of Washington in 1975, and from the University of Washington School of Law in 1978 in the top 10% of his class. Nelson began his law practice in Alaska in 1978 before returning in 1979 to practice in Washington State.
As a volunteer attorney for the Yakima County Volunteer Attorney Services, Nelson was recognized as "Volunteer Attorney of the Year" in 2009, and has served as Judge Pro Tem for Yakima County Superior Court. He is a past member of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Board of Governors and past president of the Yakima County Bar Association. He is AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell, and has been named a "Top 100 Super Lawyer" and Super Lawyer by Washington Law & Politics nearly every year since 2001. According to AVVO, an independent online lawyer rating service, he is one of the top rated attorneys in Yakima County.
Nelson is a personal injury lawyer focusing on auto accidents, products liability, workplace and nursing home injuries. His current practice emphasis is wildland fire claims. He was the lead plaintiff’s counsel in litigation for the 2012 Taylor Bridge Fire near Cle Elum, Washington, which resulted in a 60 million dollar settlement for fire victims. Rod is a published legal author and frequent lecturer. He prides himself in giving friendly, personal service to his clients.
When he is not practicing law, Nelson spends his free time skiing or climbing mountains. Nelson's ascents include Cho Oyu Mountain in the Himalayas, the sixth highest peak in the world; Huascaran, the fourth highest peak in the Peruvian Andes; the North Ridge of the Grand Teton; Mt. Rainier's Liberty Ridge; and Yosemite's El Capitan and Half Dome. Nelson also has a black belt in Shudokan Karate.
- University of Washington School of Law
- J.D. (1978)
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- Honors: Top 10% of class; Moot Court Honor Board
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- University of Washington
- B.A. (1975)
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- Honors: magna cum laude
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- Attorney/Partner
- Abeyta Nelson Injury Law
- - Current
- WSAJ's Motor Vehicle Litigation Deskbook, 2nd Edition
- Washington State Association for Justice
- Super Lawyer
- Washington Law & Politics Magazine
- Rod Nelson was honored for 13 consecutive years as a Super Lawyer, from 2001 to 2014. Only 5 percent of the more than 30,000 attorneys in the state are designated Super Lawyers based on votes from their peers and judges and review by a blue-ribbon selection panel.
- Volunteer Pro Bono Attorney of the Year
- Yakima County Volunteer Attorney Services
- American Association for Justice
- Member
- Current
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- Children's Wishes and Dreams
- Board Member
- - Current
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- Yakima County Superior Court
- Judge Pro Tem
- - Current
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- Washington State Bar # 9587
- Member
- - Current
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- Montessori School of Yakima
- Board Member
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- Yakima County Bar Association
- President
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- Washington State Trial Lawyers Association
- Board of Governors
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- Washington
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- Free Consultation
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Contingent Fees
33%
- Personal Injury
- Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
- Products Liability
- Drugs & Medical Devices, Motor Vehicle Defects, Toxic Torts
- Car Accidents
- Wildland Fire
- English: Spoken, Written
Attorney Rod Nelson and client Nancy
Attorneys Terry Abeyta and Rod Nelson