Nicole has a wide variety of legal experience. She worked as a legal secretary for 10 years before attending law school. That experience exposed her to real estate, commercial, insurance, and labor/employment transactions and litigation with such firms as Ropers Majeski, Berliner Cohen, and Heller Ehrman.

During law school, Nicole interned for the Marin County and the San Francisco Superior Courts. She performed extensive legal research and drafted proposed opinions for trial judges and appellate justices. Nicole also interned with the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office, where she conducted preliminary hearings and learned a great deal about California evidentiary rules and procedures. In addition, Nicole interned with Minami, Lew & Tamaki, a highly respected Labor & Employment firm in San Francisco.

After law school, Nicole worked for Burton, Volkmann & Schmal in Santa Cruz. Her practice focused on municipal liability, defending the interests of cities such as the City of Monterey, the City of Campbell, and the City of Gilroy. Nicole subsequently worked for Baskin & Grant, where she gained a tremendous amount of experience trying cases in Superior Court and arguing before the California Court of Appeals.

Nicole has always maintained a strong commitment to community involvement. She volunteered in Alviso teaching English to Mexican immigrants and was involved in fundraising for Child Advocates of Santa Clara County and the American Cancer Society. During law school, Nicole worked as a volunteer legal advocate for the General Assistance Advocacy Project, obtaining Social Security benefits for homeless, disabled
University of San Francisco (1998) Bachelor’s of Science in Economics

Hastings College of the Law (2001) Juris Doctor with Emphasis on Litigation and Trial Practice
individuals. Nicole was heavily involved in the La Raza Student Organization at Hastings and developed an academic support program for incoming Latino students. Nicole served on the Board of Directors for La Raza Centro Legal, a non-profit legal aid service in the Mission District of San Francisco. Her most treasure volunteer experience was as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for two very special young boys who are dependents of the Santa Cruz County foster care system.

Nicole is a member of the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Women Business Owners, and the Santa Cruz County Bar Association Women Lawyers.