Overview

The Honorable Nelson Diaz concentrates his practice in the areas of litigation, dispute resolution, public housing issues, and government relations. He has represented public entities, corporations, hospitals, banks, and non-profit organizations in both state and federal courts.

Nelson served as a judge for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas from 1981 through 1993. He was the youngest judge elected to the Court and the first Latino judge in Pennsylvania history.

In addition to his legal practice, Nelson served as the city solicitor of Philadelphia and was appointed by President Clinton to be the general counsel for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where he focused on reforming public and mixed-use housing programs.

Nelson also served as a White House Fellow as special assistant to Vice President Walter Mondale.

Professional & Community Activities

  • Member of advisory committee of the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance
  • Member, Blue Ribbon Commission to Secure Pennsylvania’s Vote, Pitt Cyber
  • PA Supreme Court Member, Appellate Rules Committee
  • Former member of the board of directors of Exelon Corporation
  • Member of the board of directors of PECO Energy
  • Former member of the advisory board of PNC
  • Member of the board of directors and executive committee of Temple University and served on the university’s Presidential Search Committee and served on its Hospital Board
  • Former General Counsel of the Urban Affairs Coalition 
  • Member of the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships
  • Former Member of the Philadelphia Children’s Commission
  • Vice Chair emeritus of the Visitors Bureau Multicultural Affairs Congress
  • Former co-chair of the annual Martin Luther King Day of Service
  • Former board member of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority
  • Former board member of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania
  • Former Chair of the Democratic National Committee’s Hispanic Caucus
  • Former Executive Director of the Spanish Merchants Association of Philadelphia
  • Former board member of the Philadelphia Museum of Art
  • Chair of the Board of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling
  • Former member of the board of the William Penn Foundation

Speeches & Presentations

  • Speaker, “Corporate Board” hosted by KPMG Update, New York, April 25, 2012

Professional Recognition

  • Listed in Pennsylvania Super Lawyers2004–2011, 2014–2016
  • Received the 2012 Latino Trendsetter Award
  • Philadelphia Bar Association’s Justice Sonia Sotomayor Diversity Award, 2015
  • Listed in Impacto Newspaper’s Delaware Valley Most Influential Latinos Award, 2014
  • Brillante Founder Award, National Society of Hispanic MBAs, 2014
  • Association for Independent Growth Foundation’s Civic Leadership Award.
  • American Bar Association Spirit of Excellence Award, 2001
  • Thurgood Marshall College Fund Award of Excellence
  • Received several civil rights and management awards from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
  • Listed in Hispanic Business 100 most influential Hispanic Americans
  • Awarded honorary doctorates from Temple University, La Salle University, Albright College, and Lincoln University.
  • Founding Member & Secretary, Latino Corporate Directors Association.

Further information on methodologies is available via these links.

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