Steve Nelson

Experienced Construction Mediator for Complex Construction, Construction Defect, Surety, and Insurance-Related Disputes

Dallas, Texas, United States

About

My entire professional career has been devoted to the legal and business issues impacting the surety and construction industry...as a practicing attorney for 20 years in Dallas, five years as a CEO of an ENR 100 sized building contractor in Austin, and for the last 25 years, as the chief claims officer for a national surety company, as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas since 1999, and now, full time as a mediator of high-value, multi-party, insurance-heavy construction disputes. I am doing my best to help my company and others avoid or resolve one construction dispute at a time. Specialties & Significant Experience: Leveraging 50 years of experience in construction industry dispute resolution, mediation, Surety, Complex Construction Claims, Construction law, Construction Insurance, Construction Defects, Architects & Engineers Professional Liability and Project Delivery

Experience

  • Markel (25 yrs 7 mos)
    • Executive Vice President, Sr. Director, Third Party ADR Services
      Mar 2001 - Present · 25 yrs 5 mos

      • Transitioned from Chief Claims Officer to Executive Vice President, Sr. Director, Third Party ADR Services at Markel Surety. • Developed and implemented ADR Services for third parties, aligning with Markel Surety's business plans.

    • Executive Vice President / Senior Director, Surety Claims
      Jan 2001 - Present · 25 yrs 7 mos

      Senior Director, Surety Claims, for Markel Surety , one of the Markel Corporation's companies. Manage a staff of 20 commercial and contract claims representatives; evaluate risk and seek responsible solutions to claims situations, provide support for bond underwriters

  • Executive Vice President at SureTec Information Systems, Inc.
    Mar 2001 - Present · 25 yrs 5 mos

    Risk management Consulting, Mediator of Construction, Construction Defect, and Surety Disputes, Settlement Coach, Funds Disbursement and Escrow Services, PreQualification of Subcontractors for General Contractors using Subcontractor Default Insurance

  • Fellow at American College of Construction Lawyers
    1994 - Present · 32 yrs 7 mos

    ACCL is "a national organization of lawyers who have demonstrated skill, experience and high standards of professional and ethical conduct in the practice, or in the teaching, of construction law, and who are dedicated to excellence in the specialized practice of construction law."

  • Distinguished Fellow at International Academy of Mediators
    2012 - Present · 14 yrs 7 mos

    The IAM is the professional home of some of the world's preeminent commercial mediators. With representation from over ten countries, IAM's Distinguished Fellows have surpassed stringent practice and ethical qualifications.

  • Chairman Emeritus, Legislative Committee at AGC Texas Building Branch
    1995 - Present · 31 yrs 7 mos

    Chaired or Co-Chaired the Legislative activities of the Texas Building Branch, Associated General Contractors; Named Chairman Emeritus in August, 2013, and continue to serve, participate in policy development, and strategic planning as requested.