ClickCease Joseph Nicholson
Meet Joseph

Joseph Nicholson

Associate Attorney


Joseph Nicholson takes pride in living in a country that upholds fundamental rights crucial to personal freedom, with constitutional protection. One such right is the civil jury trial, commonly known as the “day in court,” which serves as a crucial tool for victims to seek justice and level the playing field against powerful entities and seek justice.  

Joseph has been named a California Super Lawyers Rising Star, a peer designation awarded to no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in each state.

Joseph joined Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger to pursue his passion for advocating on behalf of individuals who suffer severe injuries or wrongful death in diverse scenarios ranging from elder abuse and faulty products to car accidents. He has successfully represented numerous families and individuals across California.

Client Testimonials


Look. Up in the sky. It's a bird, it's a plane. No, it's Conor Kelly and Joseph Nicholson, the best of the best.

Look. Up in the sky. It's a bird, it's a plane. No, it's Conor Kelly and Joseph Nicholson, the best of the best. I tripped on some uneven pavement at a gas station and had a very bad fall. Conor Kelly and Joseph Nicholson and their most professional team handled my case. They were no less than amazing and negotiated a settlement that was amazing, if you are fond of understatement, and well above my expectations. Congratulations on a job well beyond just well done. The bottom line is, if you are in need of an attorney, this firm is the best of the best.

Client

I was truly blessed to have Matthew and Joseph represent me.

With their help, I have been able to focus on recovering and to the surprise of my doctors have been able to learn to walk again. I was truly blessed to have Matthew and Joseph represent me. They helped me and my family get through a very painful time.

Client

California Super Lawyers has recognized Joseph as a Rising Star, an accolade given to only 2.5 percent of lawyers in each state. With a profound belief in the ability of the civil justice system to safeguard citizens from institutional and corporate misconduct, Joseph achieves exceptional outcomes for his clients by diligently preparing their cases for trial or equitable settlements.

In 2012, Joseph graduated from UC Hastings College of Law in San Francisco. After completing his studies, he joined a prominent plaintiff-side law firm in the Bay Area specializing in asbestos litigation. He collaborated with a team of highly skilled litigators on pioneering legal issues impacting mesothelioma victims. As an associate, Joseph represented workers and their loved ones and litigated all aspects of mesothelioma and asbestos cases.

Joseph is a member of the Consumer Attorneys of California, the American Association for Justice, and the National Lawyers Guild. He lives in San Francisco and enjoys sailing the San Francisco Bay.

Exemplar Verdicts and Settlements

  • Bruce v. Anrak – Jury Verdict – motorcyclist injured after general contractor violated traffic control safety rules $5,510,000
  • Infant v. Hospital and Manufacturer – Settlement – infant experiences brain damage after preventable surgical complication $2,750,000
  • Widow v. Product Manufacturers – Settlement – welder crushed under defective equipment $1,850,000
  • Pedestrian v. Construction Company – Settlement – elderly pedestrian struck by vehicle due to improper lane closure $1,800,000
  • Pedestrian v. Restaurant – Settlement – elderly pedestrian catastrophically injured by driver $5,600,000
  • Driver v. Driver – Settlement – shattered forearm from deployment of airbag following collision due to other driver’s negligent left turn $750,000
  • Customer v. Gas Station – Settlement – trip and fall on uneven pavement resulting in face injuries $475,000

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association
  • Alameda / Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association
  • Consumer Protection Attorneys of California
  • American Association for Justice, 2012 – Present
  • National Lawyers Guild
  • Consumer Attorneys of California, 2012 – Present

Community Involvement

From the founding of our firm in the 1960s up through the present, Walkup team members have consistently contributed to the welfare and improvement of the people and communities of the Bay Area and Northern California.

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