Mr Nelson Williams > Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner > St Louis, United States > Lawyer Profile
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner Offices

ONE METROPOLITAN SQUARE
211 NORTH BROADWAY, SUITE 3600
ST LOUIS, MO 63102-2750
MISSOURI
United States
- Firm Profile
- Go to...
Mr Nelson Williams

Work Department
Employment and Labor
Position
Partner – Litigation and Investigations
Career
R. Nelson Williams is a partner in the firm’s Employment & Labor Practice Group. He is a highly experienced attorney who represents employers in a broad range of employment law and litigation matters. Nelson’s client work spans several industries, including telecommunications, software, development, banking, and agriculture.
Nelson has defended numerous class and collective action matters under the FLSA and state law, including class litigation for both small and multinational companies, resulting in significant wins for his clients. One of his most notable victories resulted in the denial of Rule 23 class certification and the concurrent FLSA decertification of a collective action in a California wage and hour matter. Since that time, he has continued to add multiple class wins to his roster.
Nelson has successfully represented employers in matters involving the ADEA, ADA, FMLA, and Title VII. In each matter, Nelson takes an aggressive but thoughtful approach to employment litigation. He enjoys researching the specific needs of a client and developing a tailored litigation strategy that aligns with a client’s goals and helps them achieve the best possible outcome. Over the last several years, Nelson maintained an active docket that culminated with over 100 cases.
Nelson also has rare experience in litigating union grievances, having defended several employers across the United States in wrongful discharge and contract interpretation grievances.
Prior to joining BCLP, Nelson was a partner at Thompson Coburn LLP in St. Louis where he served as vice-chair of the Labor and Employment Practice Group and chair of the African-American Affinity Group. He is an active champion of diversity in the legal and business community, frequently mentoring diverse law students. Nelson also serves as chair of Momentum Advisory Collective, an organization that provides full wraparound care, education, and employment for justice-involved youth.
Top Tier Firm Rankings
Firm Rankings
- Real estate > Land use/zoning
- Miami Elite > Commercial and international disputes
- Insurance > Insurance: non-contentious
- Tax > Not-for-profit (Fortune 1000 private foundations, national trade associations, and charities)
- Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: pharmaceuticals and medical devices
- Industry focus > Sport
- Dispute resolution > Financial services litigation
- Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense
- Media, technology and telecoms > Outsourcing
- Real estate > Real estate finance
- Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions
- Real estate > Real estate