DeSimone Consulting Engineering adds Joelle Nelson as principal in forensic practice

DeSimone Consulting Engineering has hired Joelle Nelson as a principal in its forensic consulting practice.

Based in the firm’s New York headquarters, Nelson is a professional engineer with more than 20 years of experience in structural investigation, design, and litigation support for multi-million-dollar disputes.

In her new role with DeSimone, Nelson will lead forensic investigations into structural failures, construction defects, and performance issues across a range of building types and structural systems. She will also provide expert witness services and guide pre-litigation and litigation strategy for clients.

“We are thrilled to welcome Joelle Nelson, PE, to DeSimone to strengthen our forensics practice,” said Stephen DeSimone, chairman and CEO of DeSimone Consulting Engineering. “This addition represents a pivotal moment in the evolution and continuing growth of our team.”

Nelson joins from Socotec, a testing, inspection, and certifications services firm for construction and infrastructure, where she spent four years as a vice president. Before that, Nelson spent 17 years with design and engineering firm Thornton Tomasetti, where she was an associate principal.

During her career, Nelson has served as a forensic structural engineering expert on matters relating to standard of care and cause and origin for construction defect, insurance coverage, and adjacent construction disputes. She has investigated incidents including parking structure collapses, tower crane failures, and damages from extreme weather.

She has master’s and bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering from Columbia University.

“I’m excited to bring my passion for forensic engineering as a leader in DeSimone’s forensics practice and overseeing the rigorous investigation of the cause and origin of construction and design failures,” said Nelson.

DeSimone’s forensic engineering practice provides investigative, consulting, and litigation support services for a wide range of structural issues.

The consulting firm was founded in 1969 and provides an array of services including structural design, façade and building envelope consulting, vertical transportation consulting, forensics, and dispute resolution services across building types.

DeSimone has more than 600 employees listed on LinkedIn and offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South America.