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, 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, Board of Directors of Exelon Corporation
  • Member, Board of Directors of PECO Energy
  • Former member, Advisory Board of PNC
  • Member, 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, Urban Affairs Coalition 
  • Member, President’s Commission on White House Fellowships
  • Former Member,  Philadelphia Children’s Commission
  • Vice Chair Emeritus, Visitors Bureau Multicultural Affairs Congress
  • Former co-chair, annual Martin Luther King Day of Service
  • Former board member, Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority
  • Former board member, Historical Society of Pennsylvania
  • Former Chair, Democratic National Committee’s Hispanic Caucus
  • Former Executive Director, Spanish Merchants Association of Philadelphia
  • Former board member, Philadelphia Museum of Art
  • Chair, Board of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling
  • Former member, Board of the William Penn Foundation

  • At-Large Director, White House Fellows Foundation and Association Board of Directors  

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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