Nick M. Cotten, Jr. is a native Carolinian, having spent his youth in Charleston, South Carolina. His professional career began in Columba, South Carolina, at Allstate as a Claims Adjuster after earning his Bachelor of Science from Winthrop University. During his ten years at Allstate, Mr. Cotten received claims training in Chicago, worked catastrophe claims, and achieved multiple promotions, including working in the Charlotte Regional Office. Additionally, Nick Cotten gained licensure in all lines of casualty, property, surety, and marine in both South Carolina and North Carolina. Nick resigned from Allstate after having achieved a ten-year vested status.
During the period following his work with Allstate, Nick Cotten attended Harvard Law School’s Project of Negotiation and completed both South Carolina Civil Court Arbitration and Mediation training. In addition to being a small business owner, Mr. Cotten became a private consultant working with attorneys to provide consultative services regarding strategic negotiation, claims consulting, as well as civil court arbitration and mediation strategies. In 2009, Nick Cotten once again returned to school and earned his Juris Doctor from Charlotte School of Law. in combination with his degree Nick Cotten has accumulated more than 100 combined hours of ADR training exclusively in the area of negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. Nick has guest lectured on the topics of effective negotiation and settlement tools in mediation, negotiation in contracts, and on the topic of automobile claims.
Now, as an attorney and partner with Hamilton, Delleney, Grier, and Cotten LLC, Nick Cotten utilizes his combined 25 plus years of in-depth experience and education in the insurance claims industry, negotiation/mediation, and legal field to help his clients in matters involving serious bodily injury. He has experience in seven-figure settlements and complex multi-policy settlements. Additionally, Nick Cotten offers risk analysis to small business owners, representation to selective criminal matters, and civil court mediation.
Areas of Practice
Insurance Law
Wrongful Death/Survival Actions
Accidents and Injuries
Tractor Trailer
Motorcycle
Automobile
Multiple Vehicle Accidents
Premise Liability
Property Damage
Permanent Injury
Under and Uninsured Motorist Claims
Multiple Policy Issues
First and Third Party Insurance Claims
Civil Court Mediation
Negotiation
Structured Settlements and Special Needs Trust Small Business Law
Small Business Consulting
Risk Analysis
LLC Formations
Criminal Matters
Guest lecturer – Insurance, Negotiation, Mediation, and Arbitration
Admitted To Practice
South Carolina
Professional Associations and Memberships
South Carolina Bar
York County Bar
Chester County Bar
National Trial Lawyers Association — Motor Vehicles
South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association
York County Chamber of Commerce
Christian Legal Society
Community Involvement (Past and Present)
Annual Breakfast with Santa for Children
Ronald McDonald House
Renew Our Community
Rolling in Rock Hill
Volunteer with Kiwanis Club
Salvation Army Volunteer Kettle Bell
American Red Cross Volunteer
Corporate Liaison for Blood Drives
Reedy Creek Reading Program for Children
Trinity Christian School School Board Member — Parent Liaison
Pro Bono Legal Representation
Education and Training
Winthrop University (B.S. in Business Administration, emphasis in Finance 1997)
Charlotte School of Law (J.D. 2012)
Harvard Law Project of Negotiation Workshop, Boston (2001)
Arbitration Training, South Carolina (2001)
Circuit Court Civil Mediation Training, South Carolina (1998)
North Carolina Adjuster License, North Carolina (1995)
South Carolina Adjuster License, South Carolina (1988)
Allstate Tech-Core, Chicago (1987)
