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- "We are small but awesome."
"And we're gonna make a difference. I know it doesn't feel like it sometimes... a lot of the time, but we are, with the power of the law." - ―Karen Page and Foggy Nelson[src]
Nelson and Murdock was a law firm in New York City founded by Foggy Nelson and Matt Murdock. Following the recruitment of Karen Page as the firm's office manager, they were instrumental in taking down Wilson Fisk and defended Frank Castle before ultimately disbanding due to complications caused by Murdock's double-life as the vigilante Daredevil.
In 2017, Nelson and Murdock, along with Page, decided to found a successor firm known as Nelson, Murdock & Page.
History[]
Karen Page[]
- "You don't have any money and we don't have any clients. Maybe we can help each other."
- ―Matt Murdock to Karen Page[src]
Quitting their internship at Landman and Zack, Foggy Nelson and Matt Murdock decided to start their own law firm to help people in need.[1] With the help from Susan Harris and Midtown Property Solutions, they rented a small office in Hell's Kitchen, which was one of the few buildings untouched during the Battle of New York. Nelson received a tip from Brett Mahoney about Karen Page who had been accused of killing Daniel Fisher, so the two met with Page at the 15th Precinct Police Station. Page told them that she could not afford their services, but Murdock insisted on helping since their firm did not have any clients yet.
Nelson and Murdock meet Karen Page
Page told them that despite how her situation looked, she would have never killed Fisher, which Murdock believed. While preparing the defense for Page, Murdock found it suspicious that the New York City Police Department and the District Attorney's office have not pressed charges yet, despite the case looking clear-cut enough. On that night, Page was attacked and almost killed by Clyde Farnum in her cell, which Nelson and Murdock used to pressure the police into releasing her from the custody. At their office, Page told Nelson and Murdock that Fisher's death was likely linked to the evidence of embezzlement she found at Union Allied Construction records.
Nelson and Murdock eventually succeeded at clearing Page of her charges, while New York Bulletin published an article exposing Union Allied fraud, so Page decided to work for Nelson and Murdock to repay for their efforts.[2]
John Healy[]
- "Are you at all afraid of what might happen if we lose this case, Mr. Healy?"
"No. Are you?" - ―Matt Murdock and John Healy[src]
Nelson and Murdock office was visisted by James Wesley who expressed appreciation of their work in Hell's Kitchen on the behalf of Confederated Global Investments. Wesley offered a generous check and a partnership proposition, although Matt Murdock found Wesley rather suspicious due to him being secretive about his employer. Wesley then proposed Nelson and Murdock to review one of their legal cases and pointed them to the 15th Precinct Police Station, so they could meet with the client. Foggy Nelson approached John Healy at the precinct, who was arrested for killing Prohaszka at Whitestone Lanes, although he claimed that it was in self-defense.
Nelson and Murdock defend John Healy in court
Having a talk with Healy, Nelson became uncertain about the case and tried to bail, but Murdock chimed in and convinced him to take the case. Murdock inquired more about the incident, but focused on whether or not Healy had anything to say about Wesley, but Healy had nothing to disclose. Murdock then suggested waivering CPL 180.80 to give themselves more time, but Healy refused and insisted to skip all hearings and go straight to trial, having no concerns about how it would go. Nelson and Murdock build their case to defend Healy and after two court sessions, the jury failed to reach a verdict, which Healy fully anticipated. The case eventually went cold, as Healy committed suicide on the following night.[3]
Elena Cardenas[]
- "Convincing my client to agree to your terms, that's your job. And I'm not going to do it for you. See, you think there are only two options. These tenants take the payout and leave, or leave without taking it. But given how long they've put up with Tully's bullshit, I think you're actually afraid that Mrs. Cardenas and her neighbors will find a way to eke by."
- ―Foggy Nelson to Marci Stahl[src]
On a recommendation from Bess Mahoney, Elena Cardenas approached Nelson and Murdock, seeking their help in her current predicament. Cardenas explained that Armand Tully is trying to force her and other tenants out of their apartments, intending to tear them down and build expensive condominiums in their place. She also claimed that Tully had been sending Westmeyer-Holt Contracting workers to destroy the apartments under the pretense of doing repairs, pressuring the tenants to leave, and the New York City Police Department is unable to do anything. Foggy Nelson considered pressuring Tully into increasing the payout for tenants, but Cardenas insisted that they needed to keep their homes.
Foggy Nelson confronts Marci Stahl
While Murdock went to the 15th Precinct Police Station to get information on Tully, Nelson and Page visited Landman and Zack to speak with his lawyers. Marci Stahl tried to dismiss them and stated that either Cardenas and other tenants accept the money and leave on their own volition, or continue living in a squalor until they get evicted. She also denied that Westmeyer-Holt Contracting did any damage to the properties and said that they could not finish the repairs due to various criminals living there. Nelson, however, claimed that Landman and Zack wanted to rush the case out of concern that the tenants might actually stay, and if Tully fails to get them out, Landman and Zack could lose a valuable client, so they will proceed to court.[4]
Working on the case against Tully, Nelson and Murdock discovered a connection between the cases of tenants being strongarming out of their homes and the Union Allied Construction scandal, as the same people could be behind it all. They went through the available records and found out that Westmeyer-Holt Contracting was a Confederated Global Investments subsidiary, and there were a number of complains filed against them for doing the same thing.{Ref|DD108}} When Wilson Fisk publicly came forward as an owner of Confederated Global Investments, Nelson and Murdock continued digging to find any link between him and Tully, however, it was a dead end. Later, Nelson and Murdock found out that Cardenas had been murdered, so the case was shut down and Confederated Global Investments acquired the property.[5]
Taking on Wilson Fisk[]
Nelson and Murdock represent Carl Hoffman
- "As we stated on the phone, our client is willing to be placed in protective custody and waive all considerations for immunity."
"In exchange for what?"
"Nothing. Detective Hoffman regrets his involvement in Wilson Fisk's criminal enterprise and seeks only to unburden himself in the eyes of God and the state of New York." - ―Foggy Nelson, FBI Agent, and Matt Murdock[src]
When Foggy Nelson found out that Matt Murdock had been living a double life as a masked vigilante, he decided to quit Nelson and Murdock, not wanting to associate himself with Murdock.[1] The two eventually reconciled and resumed their work, determined to take Wilson Fisk down. Using Landman and Zack records, provided by Marci Stahl, they were able to discover a lot of information on Fisk's dealings behind the scenes. When Carl Hoffman resurfaced and turned himself in, Brett Mahoney brought in Nelson and Murdock to represent him during his testimony with the FBI. Hoffman agreed to waiver any considerations for immunity and confessed to taking bribes from Fisk, as well as disclosed everything he knew about Fisk's criminal empire.
With Hoffman's testimony, the FBI arrested Fisk and all of his known associates, and Nelson and Murdock was revered for playing an instrumental role in his downfall. They received an influx of new clients, although their financial situation did not improve much since then.[6]
Representing Grotto[]
- "Well, we have a reputation for representing the good people of Hell's Kitchen, not for negotiating on behalf of career criminals."
"What if a criminal wants to... change his career? A second chance, that's all I want. I know I'm only coming here with my word. I got nobody to vouch for me, but I can... barely cover your fee. But word is... that Nelson and Murdock put their faith in people. And I need a little of that right now. Please." - ―Matt Murdock and Grotto[src]
Nelson and Murdock came into contact with Grotto, a member of the Kitchen Irish and a lone survivor of the recent shootout at Burren Club, who was targeted by the Punisher. Nelson and Murdock agreed to represent him and tried to get Grotto into witness protection program, as Grotto was willing to go on record and provide all information he knew of. Samantha Reyes and Blake Tower tried to pressure Nelson and Murdock into recusing, stating that Grotto's case should be handled by the professionals and implies that they would have problems with the District Attorney Office if they refuse. However, Foggy Nelson was aware that the District Attorney office has no jurisdiction over witness protection, and made them back down by threatening to file a complaint to the United States Department of Justice.
Nelson and Murdock negotiate Grotto's witness protection
Reyes and Tower denied Grotto's proposal as most of his associates were either dead or out of the United States, so any intel he could have provided would be useless. Instead, they offered Grotto to wear a wiretap and meet with Edgar Brass, otherwise he would be left to Punisher's mercy. Grotto reluctantly agreed and Nelson and Murdock worked closely with the District Attorney office and the New York City Police Department during the sting operation on Brass, however, they found out that it was all a lie and the sting was meant for Punisher.[7] As the operation went south and Grotto escaped, Nelson and Karen Page confronted Reyes but she forced them to keep the whole story off-record, otherwise the District Attorney office would put all blame on their firm.[8]
The People v. Frank Castle[]
- "This trial isn't about vigilantes. It's about the failure of the justice system. And how one man, Frank Castle, is being used as a pawn to cover up that system's mistakes. The prosecution wants blood. But as the judge just said, to get it, they have to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. So all I'm asking of you today, keep an open mind."
- ―Foggy Nelson[src]
Following Frank Castle's arrest, Nelson and Murdock had a visit from Christopher Roth, who had been assigned to be Castle's counselor, and wanted to get Karen Page to sign a statement regarding his attack on Metro-General Hospital. Roth also informed them that Samantha Reyes had been seeking a death penalty for Castle, after which Nelson and Murdock decided to take on Castle's defense and get the death penalty off the table. Nelson and Murdock met with Castle at the custody, trying to convince him to accept their firm as his legal counselors, and despite Reyes' pushback, Castle eventually agreed. Foggy Nelson sought to negotiate a plea that would remove death penalty and give Castle a chance to parole, however, during a meeting with Reyes and Cynthia Batzer, Castle suddenly pled not guilty, so the case went to court.[9]
Nelson and Murdock defend Frank Castle in court
Preparing for the trial, Nelson and Murdock started building their case, as it was imperative that Castle does not go to a regular prison, as he would be trapped with the criminals who want him dead. They considered suggesting that Castle had been suffering from PTSD after his service in the United States Marine Corps, but Castle rejected the idea as disrespectful to the actual PTSD victims. On the first day of the trial, Matt Murdock was running late so Nelson ended up making an opening statement on his own, painting Castle as a war hero and claiming that the District Attorney office had been trying to cover up murders.
When Gregory Tepper was called to testify on the autopsies of Castle's victims, he suddenly asked to make a statement, so Batzer cleared the courtroom and left only the defense and the prosecution. Tepper confessed that he was pressured into falsifying the autopsy reports of Castle's family after the Central Park massacre. As he also mentioned that an unknown woman forced him to make a confession, Reyes accused Nelson and Murdock for being involved, but they retorted that the District Attorney office must have put the pressure on Tepper back then. Batzer proceeded to strike down Tepper's account and although Nelson asked for a mistrial, his request was denied.[10]
On the next court session, Murdock was absent following his squabble with Nelson that Murdock's double life makes him unreliable in their business. Nelson cross-examined Ray Schoonover, who testified to the court about one of the missions Castle participated in and described him as a hero, much to the ire of the prosecution. He then called Andrew Lee to the stand and inquired about Castle's mental state following a bullet wound he suffered in the past. Although Lee suggested that Castle's actions could be result of him reliving his family's deaths over and over, but Brian Cooley's outburst of accusing Castle of killing his father put a dent in Nelson's case.
On the third session, Murdock attempted to get Castle to describe the day he lost his family died, but as he refused to cooperate, Murdock asked Baitzer to treat him as a hostile witness. He then proceeded with a speech on the importance of heroes in New York City to bring justice where the law fails, claiming that Castle needed help and not punishment. Suddenly, Castle made an outburst, denying any remorse for what he had done and pled guilty, resulting in him being taken out of the courtroom and processed for incarceration.[11]
Dissolved[]
- "It's really over, huh? Nelson and Murdock?"
"You told me to move on. That's what I'm doing." - ―Matt Murdock and Foggy Nelson[src]
As Nelson and Murdock lost their case, the tensions within the firm grew as Nelson and Page disapproved of Murdock's conduct during the trial.[11] Nelson later suggested shutting their firm down temporarily, to which Murdock had no objections; rather, Murdock suggested that the closure be permanent, as his double life as Daredevil hindered Nelson's career as a lawyer.[12]
Representing Ray Nadeem[]
Nelson and Murdock represent Ray Nadeem
- "You're going to testify against Fisk, once you hire us to represent you."
"Represent me?"
"As Nelson and Murdock, attorneys at law." - ―Matt Murdock, Ray Nadeem, and Foggy Nelson[src]
Despite going separate ways, Foggy Nelson and Matt Murdock eventually come together once again, when Wilson Fisk became too much of a threat by getting out of Rikers Island and coerced several FBI agents into doing his bidding. In order to take Fisk down again, they reopened Nelson and Murdock to represent Ray Nadeem and get him to testify about Fisk's crimes during his deal with the FBI, as he was involved as well. They arrange a meeting with Blake Tower who listened to Nadeem's confession and agreed to set up a grand jury so Nadeem could officially testify, although he dismissed the immunity request as Nadeem was complicit in numerous charges of racket and murder.
As Nadeem was facing five years in prison on all counts, Nelson and Murdock initially considered not going through with a deal, but Nadeem accepted the terms. Despite a pushback from Fisk's men, Nadeem managed to reach New York State Supreme Court Building and proceeded with his testimony. Despite Nelson and Murdock's the whole case fell through as the jurors were threatened into not indicting Fisk, and Nadeem was eventually killed.[13] However, they ended up using Nadeem's dying declaration he recorded before death as their definitive evidence, successfully putting Fisk and his associates behind the bars. Following their victory, Nelson proposed Murdock and Page to open up a new law firm, Nelson, Murdock & Page as a successor to Nelson and Murdock.[14]
Employees[]
| Name | Position | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Murdock | Attorney/Business Partner | Inactive |
| Foggy Nelson | Attorney/Business Partner | Inactive |
| Karen Page | Office Manager | Inactive |
Clients[]
| Name | Case | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Karen Page | Second-Degree Murder | No trial |
| John Healy | Self-Defense Murder | Undecided; client is deceased |
| Elena Cardenas | Unlawful Eviction | Undecided; client is deceased |
| Carl Hoffman | Police Corruption | Client waives immunity and testifies to the FBI |
| Pope | Insurance | Successful |
| Zuly Almeida | Violence Against Women | |
| Tate | Fender Bender | |
| Marino | Violence Against Animals | |
| Maxwell | Assault | |
| Jacinto | Working Papers Denial | |
| Grotto | Witness Protection | Client is deceased |
| Frank Castle | Multiple Murders | Lost; client pled guilty |
| Ray Nadeem | Aiding and Abetting | Unsuccessful |
| Michael Kemp | Reduced Length | |
| Kwan | ||
| DiNizio |
Appearances[]
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Daredevil: 1.10: Nelson v. Murdock
- ↑ Daredevil: 1.01: Into the Ring
- ↑ Daredevil: 1.03: Rabbit in a Snowstorm
- ↑ Daredevil: 1.05: World on Fire
- ↑ Daredevil: 1.09: Speak of the Devil
- ↑ Daredevil: 1.13: Daredevil
- ↑ Daredevil: 2.02: Dogs to a Gunfight
- ↑ Daredevil: 2.03: New York's Finest
- ↑ Daredevil: 2.06: Regrets Only
- ↑ Daredevil: 2.07: Semper Fidelis
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Daredevil: 2.08: Guilty as Sin
- ↑ Daredevil: 2.09: Seven Minutes in Heaven
- ↑ Daredevil: 3.12: One Last Shot
- ↑ Daredevil: 3.13: A New Napkin
