Mike Nelson

Use of Force Expert

Mike Nelson left the public sector of Law Enforcement in 2023. His final assignment held was the local director of the agency law enforcement academy. After serving the public for over 25 years Mike decided to join the private sector, starting, and operating a Private Investigation and Executive Protection agency.

Since 2001, he has been engaged as a police tactics and procedures expert in numerous use-of-force and other police procedures cases. While most of his work is for the defense of officers and other local agencies, he has also been engaged by plaintiffs, prosecutors, and defense in civil litigation and criminal cases.

Mike has been deemed an expert in state court, superior court and in federal court in accident reconstruction, and Use of Force and Vehicle pursuit tactics. He has written and updated policies according to current case laws and that best meet the standards for the protection of people’s rights.

Mike has worked in several capacities such as undercover detective, specializing in gangs, guns, and drug cases, accident reconstruction, DUI Task Force, Training Unit, Street Crimes Unit, and more.

In 2002, Mike became an accident reconstructionist having worked over 300 fatality cases over his career and over 2000 severe injury cases. He holds a State of Georgia Accident Reconstruction Specialist certification.

Mike also holds over 40 instructor certifications including Firearms, Defensive tactics, Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) as well as Vehicle Pursuit Driver Training Instructor.

Mike is highly trained in Defensive tactics, including Krav Maga, Gracie Jiu Jit Su Survival Tactics Instructor, Tactical Take Down Instructor, along with being a TASER instructor.

While assigned to the Training Unit, he reviewed every use of force, and vehicle pursuit that occurred within the agency. He reviewed the tactics, to ensure they were reasonable, within policy and within the training standards. He taught hundreds of hours of courses involving the use of deadly and nondeadly force based upon reasonableness standard.
Mike specializes in risk management issues including policy, training, equipment, tactics, supervision, investigation, documentation, review processes, and criminal law and case law as it applies to police officers, focusing on reducing injury to the law enforcement officer along with the suspect.

Mikes extensive training and experience makes him well versed in applying what he knows to protect the rights of people and to hold people accountable for their actions when they are excessive. Investigating and documenting evidence does just that. The purpose of this is to make people feel safe and when law enforcement makes a mistake, and it is brought to their attention, it makes them better suited and equipped to interact with the public and handle Uses of Force correctly and what is reasonable.

He holds the Certified Force Analyst credential of the Force Science Institute

Mike is also a member of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA).

In his off-time Mike enjoys playing Tennis, golf, pickleball and traveling with his girlfriend and German Shepherd.

Zatarra F.
1 week ago
ON APRIL OF 2026 I WAS AT A BAR AND GRILL PICKING UP MY LUNCH A REGULAR CUSTOMER THAT'S THERE ON A DAILY BASIS DRINKING PICKED A FIGHT WITH ME AND PUT HANDS ON ME NOT ONCE DID I ENGAGE POLICE WERE CALLED AND FROM EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY JUST ABOUT EVERYONE THAT WAS AT THE ESTABLISHMENT TESTIFIED ON HIS BEHALF THAT I PUT HANDS ON HIM FIRST AND EVEN WENT AS FAR AS SAYING I DREW MY FIREARM AT HIM... AT THAT POINT I DECIDED TO GIVE ATTORNEY ON RETAINER A CALL TO SEE IF I WAS COVERED FOR WHAT HAD HAPPENED I SPOKE WITH SOMEONE AT THE LAW FARM... HOWARD MY ATTORNEY GOT IN CONTACT WITH ME RIGHT AWAY HE TOOK MY STATEMENT ON WHAT HAPPENED AND HAD HIS ASSISTANT LIBERTY GIVE ME A FOLLOW-UP CALL ON WHAT TOOK PLACE... AFTER GATHERING ALL THE INFORMATION THEY GOT TO WORK ON MY CASE IMMEDIATELY... I HAD INFORMED THEM THAT SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE THERE TOLD ME THAT THE POLICE WERE GOING TO ISSUE A WARRANT FOR MY ARREST... LIBERTY AND HOWARD WERE IN POSSESSION OF A VIDEO RECORDING FOR THE INCIDENT THAT TOOK PLACE THAT DAY... HOWARD GOT IN TOUCH WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AS LIBERTY STARTED PUTTING THE PAPERWORK TO THE CASE TOGETHER HOWARD WANTED TO SEE HOW FAR INTO THE INVESTIGATION THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAD GOTTEN WITHOUT I BELIEVE NOT INFORMING THEM THAT HE WAS IN POSSESSION OF THE VIDEO... EVERYDAY THAT WENT BY I WAS WORRIED AND LOOKING OVER MY SHOULDER WONDERING WHEN I WAS GOING TO BE PLACED UNDER ARREST AND CHARGED... HOWARD INFORMED ME THAT AFTER REVIEWING THE VIDEO HE COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING THAT I COULD BE CHARGED WITH BUT IT WAS STILL A WAITING GAME TO SEE WHERE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS GOING TO TAKE THIS... AFTER ABOUT A WEEK HOWARD RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT THEY WERE NOT BRINGING ANY CHARGES AGAINST ME AND THE CASE WAS CLOSED... IT TURNED OUT THAT THE EYEWITNESS TESTIMONIES INCLUDING ME BRANDISHING MY FIREARM AND POINTING IT AT HIM WERE ALL LIES LIBERTY AND HOWARD CLOSED OUT MY CASE AND INFORMED ME IF ANYTHING ELSE PERTAINING TO THIS CASE ARISES TO CONTACT THEM IMMEDIATELY... IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO REPRESENT YOU WHEN IT COMES TO SELF-DEFENSE AND YOUR SECOND AMENDMENT AMONGST OTHER THINGS AOR IS THE WAY TO GO THEY WILL STAND BY YOU FROM BEGINNING TO END... HOWARD AND LIBERTY THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DID TO KEEP ME FROM BEING RAILROADED... SIR... ✝️🙏🇺🇲⚖️...
Ray Y.
1 week ago
I called Attorneys On Retainer and spoke with Derek. I found him to be a caring person who helped me with the entire sign up process. He took his time and answered all my questions. He even called me back to help me with access to my portal.
David J.
2 weeks ago
I had the pleasure of having Attorneys on Retainer on my team recently and I'm glad I went the extra step to not only protect myself but also my family in the event of a self defense matter. Mr Howard my attorney and his team handled the situation in a matter of hours to have a possible costly issue resolved in my favor. Attorneys on Retainer and the teams they have for us to protect our interest are 2nd to none. I would recommend them in a heartbeat. Thank you Attorneys on Retainer.
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your experience, David. We’re honored you trusted us to protect both you and your family during such an important situation. We’re proud Howard and his team were able to respond quickly and help resolve the matter effectively. Providing strong legal support when it matters most is exactly what we strive for. We truly appreciate your recommendation and your confidence in AOR.
alvin H.
1 month ago
In my view AOR is the premier organization for Concealed carry citizens, I have just had another very Professional interaction with one of their representatives Miss Stacy Peterson, Professional staff and Professional Accessible attorneys is their hallmark, after an unpleasant experience with USSCA it is like finding an oasis in a desert! Thank you, Again Marc Victor, for your work and your staff! Sincerely Alvin Hickling
Response from the owner:Thank you for the thoughtful review, Alvin. We’re honored by your confidence in AOR and grateful for your kind words about Stacy and our team. Providing professional support, accessible attorneys, and clear guidance is exactly what we strive for. We truly appreciate your trust and are proud to stand in your corner.
John S.
2 months ago
Because I have had a run-in with my local police in the past about defending the life of a third party, I was concerned about police trying to find a way to charge me when I had to defend myself with a knife last night. I called the Emergency number so that I could avoid a "why didn't you call us" conversation later. After I was connected to Howard Snader, he listened to my account of the event that transpired as well as the incident from my past. He assured me that I did the right thing by calling and he checked in on me this morning to make sure I was still a free man. I let him know that assailant had been arrested last night and he is also on an ICE HOLD.
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your experience, John. We understand how stressful and uncertain situations like that can be, especially when prior experiences add additional concern. We’re proud Howard was able to provide immediate guidance, reassurance, and follow-up when it mattered most. Having trusted legal support in critical moments is exactly why we do what we do. We’re grateful for your trust and are glad you’re safe.