Nicholas J. Neidzwski is an accomplished trial attorney who handles maritime and personal injury litigation. Nick’s litigation experience includes the successful resolution of various Jones Act, general maritime, and product liability cases on behalf of many different individuals against various companies, including some of the largest maritime corporations in the United States. He has appeared for plaintiffs in state and federal courts throughout Washington, California, Oregon, and Alaska, and has established a reputation as a dedicated advocate for injured individuals and their families.
Nick’s legal career began in 2010. In 2015, he joined BoatLaw, LLP, where he represents maritime workers and their families in serious personal injury and wrongful death matters. His tenacity and in-depth understanding of maritime law have contributed to numerous successful resolutions, both in litigation and in settlement negotiations.
His skill and dedication have not gone unnoticed. Starting in 2016, Nick has been recognized annually as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers, a distinction awarded to only a small percentage of attorneys who exhibit excellence in practice and professional achievement. Nick’s recent recoveries for his clients include a $3,500,000 settlement in 2025 on behalf of a longshoreman working at the Port of Long Beach.
Outside of maritime law, Nick’s pro bono practice focuses on offering young people who have committed crimes an alternative to juvenile detention by participating in the Skagit County Teen Court diversion program. Nick works directly with individuals participating in the program, helping them understand the legal process and encouraging their growth as civic and community-minded young adults.
In addition to his legal work and community service, Nick is also involved in youth sports in Skagit County, where he is a coach for local basketball and baseball teams. As a youth sports coach, Nick strives to help young athletes develop skills, teamwork, confidence, discipline, and enjoyment of the game. Nick is also a passionate musician with a love for playing the trumpet.
Nick grew up in New Jersey with a family spanning three generations under the same roof. Following graduation from Ramsey High School, Nick attended New York University for his undergraduate studies in music and business. After graduating with honors from NYU in 2007, Nick moved to Virginia and attended Washington and Lee University School of Law. At Washington and Lee, Nick earned the position of executive editor of the school’s Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice, a publication focused on legal issues that affect historically underrepresented classes of persons.
Nick is admitted to practice law in Washington, California, Oregon, Alaska, and Arizona.
Education
- Washington and Lee University School of Law, J.D., May 2010
- Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice, Executive Editor (August 2009-August 2010)
- Kirgis Fellow mentor for first-year law students (May 2008–May 2009)
- Staff Writer (August 2008–August 2009)
- Criminal Justice Clinic Member (August 2009–May 2010)
- Defended indigent clients facing criminal misdemeanor charges
- New York University, B.M.
- Music Business
- cum laude
- May 2007 Founders Day Award (Given for Outstanding Scholarship)
- Winner of the 2005 Concerto Competition (Solo trumpet performance with full orchestra, May 2005)
- American Institute of Music, Trumpeter, Graz, Austria (July 2004-August 2004)
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- California (admitted in 2010, currently active)
- Arizona (admitted in 2011, currently active)
- Washington (admitted in 2012, currently active)
- Oregon (admitted in 2017, currently active)
- Alaska (admitted in 2018, currently active)
- United States District Court, Western District of Washington
- United States District Court, Northern District of California
- United States District Court, Central District of California
- United States District Court, Southern District of California
- United States District Court, District of Oregon
- United States District Court, District of Alaska
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Previous Employment
- Summer Law Clerk at Cozen O’Connor; San Diego, CA (May 2009–August 2009)
- Associate at Cozen O’Connor; San Diego, CA, and Seattle, WA (September 2010–January 2015)
Professional Associations Memberships
- Washington State Bar
- California State Bar
- Oregon State Bar
- Alaska State Bar
- Arizona State Bar
- American Association for Justice
Representative Cases
- Roberto Lomeli, et al. v. Harbor Industrial Services Corporation, et al., Case No. 22STCV25665 (Los Angeles County Superior Court, May 2025)
- Maurice Baptiste v. Matson Navigation Company, Inc., et al., Case No. 22CV018660 (Alameda County Superior Court, May 2024)
- Carlos Consing v. Kinder Morgan, et al., Case No. 3:20-cv-00604-MO (United States District Court, District of Oregon, October 2023)
- Autumn Ward, Personal Representative of the Estate of Michael Justin Ward v. PAE, et al., Case No. 3:21-cv-00305-AJB-WVG (United States District Court, Southern District of California, October 2023)
- Kyle Moen v. Bristol Wave Seafoods, LLC, et al., Case No. 22-2-18120-6 SEA (King County Superior Court, October 2023)
- Damian Palomino v. Curtin Maritime Corp., Case No. 21STCV30534 (Los Angeles Superior Court, March 2023)
- Pedro Abuda v. Patriot Contract Service, LLC, Case No. 2:21-cv-02494 MRW (United States District Court Central District of California, July 2022)
- Jonathan Cabading v. Port of Portland, et al., Case No. 3:20-cv-00312-HZ (United States District Court, District of Oregon, May 2022)
- Gilberto Santiago Otanez, Personal Representative of the Estate of Arnulfo Santiago Solis v. Richard E. Kelley, et al., Case No. 4:20-cv-04424 (United States District Court, Northern District of California, June 2021)
- Damar Shaw, Plaintiff v. United States of America; Ocean Shipholdings, Inc., and Ocean Duchess, Inc., Defendants, Case No. 18-cv-06243-PJH (United States District Court, Northern District of California, August 2020)
- Mark Hendsbee, Plaintiff v. CIRI Alaska Tourism Corporation, Defendant, Case No. 3AN-16-06535CI, 2018 AMC 2215, 2018 WL 6710952 (Anchorage Superior Court, April 2018)
- Ronald R. Burke, Plaintiff v. Willamette Jetboat Excursion, LLC, Defendant, Case No. 15 CV 03415 (Multnomah County Circuit Court, February 2016)
- Paul Aaron Savchenko, Plaintiff v. Icicle Seafoods, Inc., et al., Third-party Plaintiffs, v. Kari Marie Fisheries LLC and Mark Hjelle, Third-party Defendants, Case No. C11-2081-JCC (W.D. Wash. October 2013)
