Catherine R. Nielsen

Catherine R. Nielsen, Consumer Attorney in Washington, District of Columbia

Over 39 years of legal practice · focused on Consumer, Energy, and Entertainment · 4.4/5 rating from 1 verified client review

Partner

Washington, DC

Practicing consumer in Washington since 1987.

39+
Years practicing
4.4 ★
1 client review
2
Bar admissions

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Quick answer

Catherine R. Nielsen is a partner based in Washington, DC. The practice focuses on Consumer, Energy, and Entertainment. Catherine has over 39 years of legal experience. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 1 client review.

Based in
Washington, DC
Experience
over 39 years
Known for
Consumer · Energy · Entertainment
  • Handles Consumer, Energy, and Entertainment matters from Washington, DC.
  • Over 39 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
  • Recognized with BV Distinguished.

About Catherine R. Nielsen: Catherine R. Nielsen is a partner based in Washington, DC. The practice focuses on Consumer, Energy, and Entertainment. Catherine has over 39 years of legal experience. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 1 client review.

Areas of practice

Practice areas handled by Catherine R. Nielsen

Catherine concentrates on consumer, energy, entertainment, general, and health care. Each area below outlines the kind of case Catherine handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Consumer cases in Washington, District of Columbia

Catherine takes consumer matters in Washington, District of Columbia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Catherine agrees to represent you.

Energy cases in Washington, District of Columbia

Catherine takes energy matters in Washington, District of Columbia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Catherine agrees to represent you.

Entertainment cases in Washington, District of Columbia

Catherine takes entertainment matters in Washington, District of Columbia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Catherine agrees to represent you.

General cases in Washington, District of Columbia

Catherine takes general matters in Washington, District of Columbia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Catherine agrees to represent you.

Health Care cases in Washington, District of Columbia

Catherine takes health care matters in Washington, District of Columbia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Catherine agrees to represent you.

Biography

About Catherine R. Nielsen — Over 39 years of District of Columbia consumer experience

Catherine R. Nielsen is a partner based in Washington, DC. The practice focuses on Consumer, Energy, and Entertainment. Catherine has over 39 years of legal experience. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 1 client review.

Catherine Nielsen is an experienced food and drug attorney who counsels domestic and foreign corporations on the regulatory compliance of food additives, food contact materials, and drug and medical device packaging before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as its international counterparts, including in Canada, Europe, Central and South America, and the Pacific Rim.

Catherine brings innovative legal and sound scientific strategies to clients seeking to achieve broadened markets for their products, assisting companies in obtaining explicit regulatory listings of packaging components (such as polymers, additives, coatings, printing inks, adhesives, and polymer production aids), food additives, and color additives in global jurisdictions, including the United States (U.S.), MERCOSUR, and the European Union (EU).

Catherine helps food and food contact companies assess challenging adulteration issues and advises on potential recalls. In addition, she counsels clients on compliance with California’s Proposition 65 and the Coalition on the Northeastern Governors “Toxics in Packaging” legislation, in addition to other state legislation dealing with toxic substance exposure issues.

Catherine is a contributing author to packaginglaw.com, as well as related industry publications, and is frequently invited to speak at international food contact conferences.

Insights & In the News

Printing Inks in Europe - Caught in a Time Warp

08.05.2019

Regulation of Food-Contact Materials in Latin America (Part II)

07.15.2019
Publication

Regulation of Food-Contact Materials in Latin America (Part 1)

06.03.2019
Publication

More Insights

Best Law Firms Features Keller and Heckman in 2026 Edition

Press Release
11.06.2025

Catherine's approach to consumer cases

Catherine Nielsen is an experienced food and drug attorney who counsels domestic and foreign corporations on the regulatory compliance of food additives, food contact materials, and drug and medical device packaging before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as its international counterparts, including in Canada, Europe, Central and South America, and the Pacific Rim. Catherine…

Clients Catherine works with

Catherine reviews new inquiries case-by-case for consumer, energy, and entertainment matters in Washington and the surrounding District of Columbia area.

Credentials

Catherine R. Nielsen's legal education and bar admissions

  • University of Virginia

    J.D. · 1987

  • University of Alabama

    B.A. · 1984

Jurisdictions

Catherine's state bar admissions

  • District of Columbia

    1989 · ACTIVE

  • Virginia

    1987 · ACTIVE

Catherine studied at J.D. in University of Virginia and B.A. in University of Alabama.

Law school and academic background

Catherine completed J.D. in University of Virginia and B.A. in University of Alabama. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Catherine runs in District of Columbia is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Awards, publications, and recognition of Catherine R. Nielsen

Catherine has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

  • BV Distinguished

Legal awards and honors

BV Distinguished.

Affiliations

Catherine's professional memberships and bar associations

  • Memberships •American Bar Association

    ABA), Natural Resources & Environment Section •Food and Drug Law Institute (FDLI · membership

Locations

Catherine R. Nielsen's office in Washington

Catherine's primary office is at 1001 G Street NW, Suite 500 West, Washington, DC, 20001. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

1001 G Street NW, Suite 500 West

Washington, DC 20001

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Catherine R. Nielsen — 4.4/5 rating from 1 verified client review

Every review below is from a verified client of Catherine. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing consumer attorneys in Washington.

4.4

1 client review

Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Catherine R. Nielsen claims this profile.

Read all reviews

Hiring guide

How to hire Catherine R. Nielsen — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new consumer attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Catherine usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Catherine charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Catherine's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Catherine will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a consumer attorney in Washington, District of Columbia

A short list to run through before you commit: How many consumer matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Catherine

Catherine discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in consumer practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every consumer matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Catherine confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Catherine's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many consumer practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Catherine R. Nielsen

  • How much does it cost to hire Catherine for a consumer case?

    Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Catherine walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

  • Does Catherine offer a free consultation?

    Catherine charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Catherine's office. Some consumer attorneys offer free consults — check Catherine's current terms during booking.

  • How long do consumer cases in District of Columbia typically take?

    Simple consumer matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Catherine gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

  • Can Catherine take my case if I'm outside Washington?

    Catherine is licensed in District of Columbia. Matters governed by District of Columbia law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Catherine will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

  • What should I bring to my first meeting with Catherine?

    Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Catherine will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

  • Is Catherine accepting new consumer clients right now?

    Catherine's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Consumer attorneys serving Washington and Belize City in District of Columbia

Catherine handles consumer matters throughout District of Columbia. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified consumer attorneys in that community.