Neil is a tireless litigator for injured victims and their families, concentrating on matters involving serious personal injury, traumatic brain injury, and wrongful death. Neil has handled claims for clients that involve medical malpractice, car accidents, slip and fall accidents, premises liability, defective products, motorcycle accidents, mass tort claims, defective medical devices, harmful drugs, dog bite attacks, sexual assaults, physical assaults, emotional distress, trip and fall accidents, truck accidents, defamation, boat accidents, OHRV accidents, and other negligent and intentional tort claims. Neil has tried cases to judge and jury and favorably settled scores of other matters to his client’s satisfaction. Neil is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He is currently the Managing Attorney of Nicholson Law Firm, PLLC.
Neil also provides rigorous advice and counsel to a variety of nonprofit organizations and churches in areas that involve employment, tax exemption, land use and zoning, governance, insurance, litigation, risk management and crisis response. Neil’s practice is active in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont.
Neil’s professionalism and commitment are recognized within the legal community by some of the most respected peer-reviewed professional organizations. His peers recognized him as the 2023 Best Lawyer© – Concord Lawyer of the Year in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, and his peers repeatedly select him for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in the field of Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. He has been consistently recognized in SuperLawyers© as a New England SuperLawyer in Plaintiff’s Personal Injury. In 2016, he was inducted into the New Hampshire Union Leader’s Forty Under Forty. Neil retains the Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent Rating in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards, which he has held for over a decade. He has repeatedly testified at the New Hampshire legislature on matters pertaining to protecting the injured and access to the courts.
Neil believes in community commitments. As a member of the New Hampshire Bar Association, he has served on its Public Protection Fund Committee and currently serves in its mentorship program to assist younger lawyers in their career pursuits. Neil is a past-president of the New Hampshire Association for Justice, a trial lawyers’ group dedicated to fight for the principles of justice for the injured. For several years, Neil was a youth hockey coach and maintains active leadership roles with several charitable organizations. He is currently a member of the New Hampshire Association for Justice, One Hundred Club of New Hampshire, Christian Legal Society, Manchester Bar Association, Guardian Support Services of NH, and Vision International Missions.
Neil loves his family. He is an avid hockey fan and enjoys backpacking and fishing. He’s a member of the AMC 4000’ Club. He feels incredibly fortunate to have had opportunities to serve those in greatest need all over the world. He’s had the privilege to lead and participate on short-term mission trips in the United States and in Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Uganda and Ghana.
Neil attended Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts and graduated magna cum laude. He received several awards from Suffolk University Law School, including the Best Oral Advocate Award. He was selected as a representative from the law school to participate in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition.
Prior to law school, Neil was educated at Trinity High School in Manchester, New Hampshire, Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, and Word of Life Bible Institute in Schroon Lake, NY. At Liberty University, Neil received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Government, cum laude, and participated on the school’s hockey team. Upon graduation from Liberty University, Neil gathered unique professional experience as a police officer in Goffstown, New Hampshire for six years.
Neil served his fellow police officers as the president of the patrol officer’s union, the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Local #371. In addition, Neil was elected as president of the Goffstown Police Association, a nonprofit organization designed primarily to promote safety in the community.
Education
Suffolk University Law School, Juris Doctorate, magna cum laude, 2007, top 5% in class
Liberty University, Bachelor of Science in Government, cum laude, 1999
National Institute for Trial Advocacy – Advanced Trial Skills Graduate
120th Police Academy, New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council, Top 3
Word of Life Bible Institute, Biblical Studies Certificate, 1996
Bar Admissions
- New Hampshire
- Massachusetts
- Vermont
- United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire
- United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Recognition
- Best Lawyers© – Lawyer of the Year, Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Concord, 2023
- Best Lawyers© – Plaintiff’s Personal Injury, 2023, 2022, 2021
- SuperLawyers© – Plaintiff’s Personal Injury, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent Rating in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards
- Union Leader’s Forty Under Forty, Class of 2016
- SuperLawyers©, New England Rising Stars, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, recipient
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers Recognition
- Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition
- Suffolk University Law School Jurisprudence Award: Property Law
- Suffolk University Law School Jurisprudence Award: Environmental Law
- Suffolk University Law School Best Oral Advocate Award
- Goffstown Police Department: Lifesaving Award
- Goffstown Police Department: Chief’s Exemplary Service Award
- Goffstown Police Department: Officer of the Year Award
Professional Memberships & Community Engagement
- Guardian Support Services of NH, Inc., Incorporator and Treasurer (2022-current)
- New Hampshire Bar Association Mentor Program (2021-current)
- Vision International Missions, Director and General Counsel (2020-current)
- Epsom Bible Church, Missions Deacon (2020-current)
- New Hampshire Bar Association Public Protection Fund Committee (2011-2022)
- New Hampshire Association for Justice, President (2017-2018)
- New Hampshire Association for Justice, Board of Governors (2011-2019)
- NH Pro Bono Referral Program Annual Hockey Game, Founding Member and Co-Chair
- Manchester Christian Church, Elder Team (2016-2018)
- Manchester Christian Church, Administrative Leadership Team (2014-2018)
- Manchester Bar Association, Member, and Executive Committee (2012-2014)
- Appalachian Mountain Club, Member
- Christian Legal Society, Member
- Federalist Society, Member
- 100 Hundred Club, Member
- New Hampshire Bar Association, Member
- Vermont Bar Association, Member
- Trinity High School Advisory Board, Member (2014-2016)
- Pinkerton Academy Law Advisory Committee, Past Member
- Manchester Regional Youth Hockey Association, Director (2010-2014)
- New Hampshire Amateur Hockey Association, Director (2012-2013)
- International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Local #371, President (2003-2005)
- Goffstown Police Association, President (2002-2005)
Presentations & Lectures
- November, 2022: Epsom Bible Church Missions Sunday, “God Does Not Give a Spirit of Fear”
- September, 2022: Trinity Christian High School Chapel Speaker, “Christians in Business”
- June, 2022: Kampala, Uganda: Presenter to Kingsway High School on God’s Peace Plan
- May, 2022: New Hampshire Bar Association CLE Presenter: Advanced Personal Injury – Effective and Persuasive Presentation of Damages in a Personal Injury Case: Injuries to Soft Tissue, Discs and Bones
- January, 2022: Jesse Remington High School: Trial Advocacy Guest Lecturer
- November, 2021: Epsom Bible Church Missions Sunday, “Short-Term Missions Round Table”
- January, 2021: Jesse Remington High School: Trial Advocacy Guest Lecturer
- January, 2020: Jesse Remington High School: Trial Advocacy Guest Lecturer
- October, 2019: Accra, Ghana: Regional Evangelism Instructor
- May, 2019: New Hampshire Bar Association CLE Presenter: Advanced Personal Injury – Issues in Probate Court- Guardianships, Wrongful Death, Minor Settlements
- January, 2019: New Hampshire Association for Justice CLE: Dangerous Intersections: Mass Torts
- September, 2018: New Hampshire Association for Justice Legislative Ceremony: What Makes a Good Legislator?
- June, 2018: New Hampshire Association for Justice Annual Dinner and Award Banquet, Master of Ceremonies and President’s Remarks
- April, 2017: End Distracted Driving Program, PACE Career Academy
- November, 2016: Protecting the Flock (& the Shepherds): DOL, IRS, Liability
- October, 2015: NH Driver’s Education Teachers Association: Liabilities for student teachers
- September, 2015: Protecting the Flock (& the Shepherds): Mandatory reporting laws primer
- June, 2015; December, 2014; March, 2013: New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council: “Cross-Examination”
- June, 2013: National Business Institute: Effective Use of Technology and Exhibits in Courtroom; Manchester and Portsmouth, NH
- March, 2013: New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council: Cross-Examination
- May, 2012: National Business Institute: Effective Use of Technology and Exhibits in Courtroom
- May, 2011: Keynote speaker: Data Security: Portsmouth, NH
- October, 2010: Data Security presentation to New Hampshire Society of CPAs on Red Flags Rule and Data Security; Manchester, NH
- October, 2010: Co-keynote speaker to School Administrators Association on FERPA and Data Security
- September, 2010: Presenter: Navigate a Criminal Case through the NH Courts; Woburn, MA
- February, 2010: Data Security Greater Merrimack Valley Human Resource Association meeting; North Andover, MA
- December, 2009: Panelist at Private School Update in Manchester, NH discussing risk management for administration confronting criminal issues surrounding cell phone use
- December, 2009: Keynote presenter on Massachusetts Data Security Regulations as a CPE seminar for New Hampshire Society of CPAs; Manchester, NH
- November, 2009: Co-presenter on data security laws at 100 Club; Portsmouth, NH
- October, 2009: Co-presenter on data security at Seacoast HR Association; Portsmouth, NH
- June, 2009: Keynote presenter on Massachusetts Data Security Regulations to CPAs; Woburn, MA
Articles & Opinion Pieces
- May, 2018: Campground Bill Erodes Constitutional Rights, Concord Monitor, Seacoast Online
- May, 2018: President’s Message, NHAJ Trial Bar News
- February, 2018: President’s Message, NHAJ Trial Bar News
- September, 2017: President’s Message, NHAJ Trial Bar News
- January, 2016: Unveiling the Mysteries of Med Pay Coverage, NHAJ Trial Bar News
- December, 2014: Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II Hip Replacement Litigation, NHAJ Trial Bar News
- October, 2014: NCAA Concussion Litigation, NHAJ Trial Bar News
- July, 2013: Multidistrict Litigation Briefing, New Hampshire Bar Association Bar News
- April, 2013: Litigating Transfer Issues in MDL, New Hampshire Association for Justice Trial Bar News
- December, 2012: Protect Your Customers’ and Employees’ Personal Information – Top 10 data security guide for 2013, Portsmouth Herald – Seacoast Online
- June, 2012: Guarding Patient’s Personal Information: You’re the Sentry, Portsmouth Herald – Seacoast Online
- April, 2011: Can I ask a potential employee to take a lie detector test to evaluate the accuracy of his or her application? New Hampshire’s Union Leader
- April, 2011: Right to Work Act could change N.H.’s labor landscape, Portsmouth Herald – Seacoast Online
- January, 2011: Red Flag Rules Legal Update, New Hampshire Business Review
- December, 2010: Complying with the Red Flags Rule, New Hampshire Business Review
- October, 2010: Does my company need to comply with the Federal Trade Commission’s Red Flags Rule? New Hampshire Union Leader
- June, 2010: What types of wages can be withheld from the employee? New Hampshire Union Leader
- April, 2010: Deductions From Wages, New Hampshire Union Leader
- August, 2009: Data Security: No Longer Someone Else’s Problem, New Hampshire Business Review