Stephen Nelson is a well-known and respected civil litigator in the aviation industry, an area in which he has focused for more than 30 years. He also holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate with ratings to fly land and sea airplanes and helicopters, and was a certificated flight instructor for 25 years.

Since joining Wilson Elser in 2006, Stephen has established a strong West Coast presence to enhance the firm’s national aviation platform. He previously served as chief operating officer and general counsel of Mather Aviation, an aircraft service company, and before that was managing partner of a boutique aviation law firm in Sacramento, CA.

A significant portion of Stephen’s practice centers on the representation of aircraft operators and service providers in litigation arising from general, corporate, commercial and military aviation accidents, and related insurance coverage matters. His cases have involved a range of aircraft types and components, including ultra-lights, hot air balloons, civilian airplanes and helicopters of all types and sizes, military fighter jets, ejection seats, and skydiving equipment. Stephen is experienced in all facets of civil litigation, trial and appeal in state and federal courts, both in California and throughout the United States. He also counsels clients on FAA regulatory and enforcement matters, aviation insurance issues, and transactional and tax questions related to aircraft ownership, operation and business matters.