People

Michael V. Nakamura is an experienced and compassionate lawyer committed to achieving justice for his clients, primarily those who have suffered devastating injuries due to others’ negligence.

For more than three decades, Mike has built a national practice with noteworthy trial and litigation experience in catastrophic motor vehicle and commercial trucking accidents, wrongful death cases of all kinds, paraplegia, quadriplegia and brain-damaged baby cases. He has been called into numerous high-profile cases locally and across the country, representing injured clients in the Brandeis University shuttle bus accident in Massachusetts and the Wave Dancer dive boat tragedy in Belize, obtaining the second-highest award for a U.S. family out of dozens of claims. Mike has handled many Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) and Military Claims Act (MCA) cases, successfully representing family members of armed service personnel who were injured by medical malpractice at military hospitals in the U.S. and overseas, including in Japan, England and Germany. He has significant jury and bench trial experience, including back-to-back verdicts of $6.6 million and $2.1 million in 2024, and is skilled in mediation and negotiated settlements, including a $1.5 million mediated settlement in December 2024 in a commercial trucking wrongful death case.

Mike’s experience as a judicial law clerk and as a business litigation attorney encompassing a wide range of legal areas serves his clients well in evaluating legal issues, including insurance coverage disputes, consumer protection cases, automobile dealer-manufacturer issues and other business litigation. He has litigated cases in  Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia, in state and federal courts.

As an authority in the fields of personal injury, wrongful death and medical malpractice, Mike has served as a moderator or speaker at numerous seminars. He has also appeared on several local television programs on such topics as dog bite liability, elevator accidents, gun liability and premises liability. Mike has also served as an expert witness on behalf of law firms.

As a testament to Mike’s integrity and sound judgment, he is one of a few attorneys selected to serve on the Character Committee of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals of Maryland. This court-appointed group of volunteer lawyers is responsible for reviewing the character and fitness of applicants, maintaining the court’s Code of Professional Responsibility and upholding the ethics of the profession of law. At the request of the Maryland Supreme Court, Mike serves on the Committee of Complex Litigation, Medical Malpractice Work Group, a select committee composed of judges, and plaintiff and defense lawyers dedicated to improving the efficiency of litigation in Maryland. Within Shulman Rogers, Mike has Co-Chaired the Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Department for many years and previously served on the Board of Directors.

In addition to his leadership role within the courts, Mike has been deeply involved in premier legal organizations, including the American Association of Justice, the Birth Trauma Litigation Group, the Maryland Association of Justice and the Trial Lawyers Association for the District of Columbia. He is routinely asked to give presentations and participates in their various education-related activities, which continually strengthens his ability to advocate for his clients and achieve justice on their behalf.

Testimonials

“I was recommended to Mike Nakamura through a mutual acquaintance. As soon as we started discussing my case, I felt comfortable. Mike and Sheila made it easy to work with, promptly answering my questions and addressing my concerns. I couldn’t have asked for better representation. I was very happy with the outcome and I am now living my life without worry or stress. I would definitely recommend Shulman Rogers, Mike Nakamura and their wonderful staff to anyone that requires legal representation.”

– Bonnie B.

“I was recently well represented by Mike Nakamura at this firm and the staff were wonderful and always professional. I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for great legal representation. They were very responsive to all my questions and made sure that I understood everything.”

– Adrian W.