Michelle Nelson

Background

About Michelle Nelson

I am a partner in Reed Smith's Energy and Natural Resources practice. I am a specialist arbitration lawyer with over 25 years of experience. My practice focuses on the Middle East, advising on major oil & gas and construction infrastructure disputes. I represent clients in arbitration proceedings under the major international and regional arbitration rules including the ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL, DIAC and ADCCAC seated in Paris, London, Geneva, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman. I act for a variety of employers, contractors, consultants and subcontractors and have advised on a wide range of projects including airports, process and power plants, roads, commercial and residential premises. I am a qualified Solicitor Advocate and undertake my own advocacy in my arbitration practice. I sit as an Arbitrator in relation to regional disputes. I also have rights of audience before the DIFC Courts. I regularly speak and write on construction and international arbitration issues and am routinely rated as a leading individual for construction in Chambers Global. I am listed in the Legal 500 “Hall of Fame” for Construction in the UAE in recognition of constant praise by clients for continued excellence. I have also been named a Global Elite Thought Leader by Who's Who Legal. Clients have commented in Legal 500 UAE (2021) that "Michelle is fantastic to deal with. She is a construction thought leader who is well versed in the technical aspects of UAE law." Legal 500 UAE (2020) stated Michelle “is a superb lawyer. She is very bright, extremely hard-working and a great strategist. She has a wonderful ability to put everyone at their ease, and her approach ability and common sense approach mean that she is terrific with clients, and always places their commercial and practical objectives at the heart of her approach.” Chambers UAE (2018) notes that Michelle “has been involved in some incredibly high-profile cases in the region. Her clients are exceedingly happy with her and impressed with her work.”