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nicole-e-braden-lewis

Nicole E. Braden Lewis

Nicole Braden Lewis serves as national and local counsel defending clients in product and premises liability cases, with an emphasis on asbestos litigation.

Nicole co-leads a national counsel team defending a product manufacturer in cases pending throughout the United States. In this capacity, she partners with the client and local counsel to plan and execute key strategies for fact investigation, fact and expert witnesses, and dispositive motion practice. Nicole also represents product manufacturers and premises owners sued in asbestos personal injury cases in Ohio state and federal courts. She has a reputation for developing sound case strategies that reduce future filings and legal spend. Applying lessons learned from the asbestos litigation, Nicole also counsels manufacturers in other industries on product safety and pre-suit investigations.

In her role as Chair of the Board of Directors for Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry, Nicole establishes organizational priorities, develops staff leadership, and helps maintain financial stability for this $13 million social services agency. Nicole’s diverse background and experiences, including her emotional intelligence training with the Weatherhead School of Management, form the foundation for her unique ability to consistently foster positive relationships with plaintiff and defense attorneys, judges, product engineers, and expert witnesses.

Outside of work, Nicole’s favorite race is the 10K, and she can be spotted onstage in the occasional dance concert.

Education
Case Western Reserve University School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2001); Order of the Coif
Denison University (B.A., summa cum laude, 1998); Phi Beta Kappa
State Admissions
Ohio, 2001
District of Columbia, 2002
Illinois, 2017
Federal Admissions
United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio
United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio
United States District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
Service Areas
Mass Tort & Product Liability
Life Sciences Litigation
Business Litigation
Consumer Product Safety
Health & Life Sciences
Industries Represented
Electrical Equipment
Construction
Medical Professionals (Doctors & Nurses)
Manufacturing
Pharmaceutical & Medicine
Legal Services (Law Firms)
Hospitals
Retail Stores
  • Secured favorable resolution after presenting opening statement in jury trial defending manufacturer in wrongful death (mesothelioma) asbestos case in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, state court
  • Won jury trial defending manufacturer in wrongful death (mesothelioma) asbestos case in Miami, Florida, state court (assistant trial counsel)
  • Won bench trial for pro bono client facing eviction from his home
  • Leveraged favorable settlement during jury trial defending nursing home administrator in wrongful death and fraud case (second chair)
  • Won jury trial defending certified nurse practitioner in nursing home negligence case (second chair)

Speaking Engagements

  • “Issue Spotting and Next Steps,” Lawyers for Women in Crisis Training Seminar, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Cleveland, Ohio (May 2015)
  • “Keeping Your Boiler Defendant from Losing Steam – Boiler Operation and Defense Strategy,” prepared for DRI’s Asbestos Medicine Seminar, San Francisco, California (November 2014)
  • “Standing Up in Court: Fundamentals of Handling Exhibits and Using Depositions in Court,” presented at the Federal Bar Association’s New Lawyer Training Program (August 2013)
  • Credentialing and Peer Review of Health Care Providers: The Process and Protections,” presented in connection with ALI-ABA seminar/audio webcast (April 2012)

Publications

Media

  • The Scoop,” Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (February 2020)
  • Case Western Reserve University School of Law
    • Society of Benchers (2023)
    • Law Alumni Association Board, President (2022–2024)
  • Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry Board of Directors
    • Chair (2019–2022)
  • Tucker Ellis Women’s Initiative
    • Co-Chair (2013–2023)
  • American Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Eighth District Judicial Conference, Life Member