The Marin Lawyer sat down with one of MCBA’s new directors, Nestor Schnasse, to learn more about practicing and bicycling in Marin.

What is your practice area?

My law practice is entirely devoted to civil litigation, representing people with personal injury matters. I’ve had the great fortune to work with Larry Strick since 1997, as an attorney since 2006.

Do you have a particular emphasis?

I do have a particular interest in bicycle related cases. I was a competitive cyclist at age 14, a passion I pursued for many years over many miles before racing in the professional ranks. The international cycling community provided me invaluable challenges both mental and physical, for which I am extremely grateful. That journey also included countless close calls with cars, terrifying episodes of road rage, and the destruction of several helmets from auto collisions. Bicyclists are extremely vulnerable, a problem I understand quite well. It is enormously satisfying to be able to give back in a significant way by representing injured cyclists. [Editor’s Note: Nestor had some advice for counsel in bicycle cases in our April 2017 issue, which you can read here.]

Why did you decide to become a lawyer?

Early on, I was struck by the amount of bad behavior that occurs every day from simple neglect to much worse. A broken jaw from a hit and run collision crystallized in my young mind the importance of justice and accountability to victims. As my mouth was wired shut and malnutrition took its course, I wanted an advocate. Finding none, I made a private pledge to become one for others.

Later, after leaving competition, I came to work with Larry Strick, who is absolutely passionate about advocacy for the injured. He has been the sort of example and mentor anyone would hope for, guiding and encouraging my development into a now experienced litigator.

Why do you live in Marin?

I was raised in Minnesota, a beautiful place but not exactly warm much of the year. My wife and I moved to San Francisco in the early '90s, which was a great improvement. After a particularly frightening auto/bike collision, the second in one year, we decided to look for safer roads to train on. We landed first in a small place in Mill Valley near Panoramic Highway, then descended to Blithedale canyon, and for the past ten years have called Novato home.

What do you love to do when you’re not busy practicing law?

That is simple. Family time.

Tell us about your family.

Thirty years ago, I met an amazing woman named Ann in a philosophy class. We moved to California soon after, and will celebrate 19 years of marriage this summer. We’re doing our best to not ruin three great children, our two sons and one daughter who are now in 8th, 7th and 6th grades.

Like so many, ours is a busy household filled by the creative force of our kids. Each has a favorite activity, many we can share. One is training for his third Dipsea. Another enjoys backpacking in the back country. Another loves to dance. There is rarely a dull moment, and I’m doing my best to balance practice and still make the most of this short window of time.

If you could pursue any other career besides law, what would it be and why?

That is a tough one. I love what I do. I’ve recently been trained in Wilderness First Aid thanks to NOLS [fka the National Outdoor Leadership School], and was surprised at how much I enjoyed learning the role of first responder.

Why did you join MCBA?

Since joining the Strick Law Offices, there has been a clear expectation of support for key associations. MCBA has been one from the start, a vital institution to connect bench, bar, and the public.

Why did you become a director?

Again, I blame Larry Strick for setting a strong example of contribution. All joking aside, his example has encouraged me to be involved in many associations, such as PTA, Boy Scouts, and Novato’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (B/PAC). Those groups have been a great training ground. Now, after benefiting from the efforts of so many MCBA directors who came before me, it is time for me to pull my weight.

If you had to pick a single highlight of your career, what would it be?

In personal injury, the problems we are trying to address are always serious and sometimes devastating. So, I’m not sure highlight is quite the right term. The greatest sense of satisfaction for me came after a hard-fought case against a School District where a young boy had taken his own life due to bullying on campus. The legal work was both challenging and drawn out. More importantly, only through that persistence were we able to shed light for the parents on what their son had endured, on failures to protect or inform the parents, and ultimately to bring some measure of closure to the family.