EXPERIENCED LITIGATOR DELIVERING STRONG DEFENSE AND REPRESENTATION
Nicole is an experienced litigator with two decades of experience. She is a member of Bullivant’s Casualty Law practice, with an emphasis on complex litigation. With clients including various businesses, corporations, financial institutions, and communities of faith, Nicole is well versed in issues such as insurance defense litigation, transportation law, employment law, and sexual abuse. She brings substantial experience in high profile liability defense matters at all levels of the state court system, as well as in appellate and federal practice.
PRACTICE AREAS
ADMISSIONS
Bar Admissions
- Washington, 2004
- Oregon, 2010
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
EDUCATION
- Gonzaga University School of Law – J.D., 2003
- Arizona State University – B.A. English, 1998
CLIENT WINS
- Jury trial of a collection case on behalf of a creditor involving usurious interest rate. Prevailed for plaintiff.
- Bench trial of a collection case on behalf of a creditor involving the Fair Credit Billing Act. Prevailed for plaintiff.
- Participated in defending a community of faith involving claims of childhood sexual abuse. Favorable settlement during jury trial.
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- Jury trial of an admitted liability transportation law matter. Plaintiff claimed that a low speed impact caused him to suffer from a traumatic brain injury and other personal injuries. Favorable verdict for defendant.
- Bench trial of an admitted liability transportation law matter. Plaintiff claimed that a low speed impact caused her to suffer from debilitating personal injuries. Favorable verdict for defendant.
- Division I of the Washington Court of Appeals upheld summary judgment of plaintiff creditor’s claims.
- Rosas v. Corporation of the Catholic Archbishop of Seattle, 598 F.3d 668 (9th 2010): A former Catholic seminarian from Mexico who was engaged in a ministerial placement alleged that he was owed overtime pay for work he performed. The U.S. District Court dismissed his claim, concluding it as barred by the ministerial exception. Prevailed on judgment on the pleadings. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed.
- Defense Research Institute (DRI)
- Claims and Litigation Management Alliance, Seattle Chapter, Board Member (2020-Present)
- Seattle Ladder Down, Class of 2016
- Washington Women Lawyer, KC Chapter Immediate Past President (2017); Board Member (2010-2017)
- Mother Attorneys Mentoring Association Seattle, Member
- Washington Defense Trial Lawyers, Member
- Invited speaker on Traumatic Brain Injury Claims with Liberty Mutual, April 2024
- Panelist, Litigation in a Virtual Realm: Best Practices for Navigating Ethics in a Digital Age, Seattle CLM Fall Education Symposium, October 2023
- Selected for inclusion in Washington Super Lawyers (2013-2024 – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants)
- Selected for inclusion in Top 50 Women Washington Super Lawyers, 2023
- Named as a “Rising Star” in Washington Super Lawyers (2012 – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants)
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America©(2024-2025 — Personal Injury Litigation, Defendants)
- KCWWL Chapter Member of the Year Award (2013 and 2016)