Profile
As a Director in Murphy Pearson’s San Francisco office, Nicole draws on her two decades background in business and executive coaching to help clients navigate complex litigation and employment matters. While her practice encompasses a broad spectrum of legal fields, she offers a compassionate, client-centered approach, ensuring her clients feel informed and empowered throughout the litigation process.
Drawing on her prior experience in human resources and her legal practice, Nicole has represented a diverse range of employers, including one of the country’s largest commercial manufacturers, a major fast-food franchisee, and numerous health-care and substance treatment centers. Her experience includes resolving complex claims involving class-action wage-and-hour disputes and PAGA actions. She has also represented many large and small employers, both as a litigator and as a consultant, to help them reduce risk in general employment practices under FEHA, UNRUH, and ensure compliance with both state and federal statutes.
In addition, Nicole has represented several escrow companies, real estate brokerages, and individual realtors for both buyers and sellers. Her practice also includes representing many contracting companies and subcontractors in cases including claims of negligence and breach of contract, as well as complex construction defect. Finally, Nicole has also represented attorneys in various professional liability matters.
Prior to practicing law, Nicole was a Vice President, Senior Human Resources Consultant, for Wells Fargo Bank, Inc. In that role, she provided nationwide personnel support for the Private Investment Group (nearly 2,000 team members) in areas such as employee relations, labor law, succession planning, management learning and development, executive coaching, benefits, compensation design, and organizational development.
Nicole has been a member of the Bar Association of San Francisco Legal Ethics Executive Committee for the past three years.
Experience
Litigation
- Represented insured attorneys in various malpractice litigation matters related to real estate, family law, and trust and estate matters.
- Represented large manufacturing employer in wage and hour claims, as well as PAGA claims, and employment practices claims under FEHA and federal statutes.
- Represented major contractor in multiple cases involving breach of contract related to several large projects in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, resulting in successful settlement.
- Represented building subcontractor in complex construction defect matter.
Affiliations
- Technology4Life, a 501(c)(3) fiscal project specializing in teaching older adults how to use technology
- Co-founder
- Instructor – designed and delivered more than 200 technology courses in locations throughout Marin County
- Girl Scouts of America
- Volunteer
Presentations
Nicole has extensive experience presenting for such organizations as the Rotary Clubs throughout Marin, Marin County Senior Fair, Well Connected (online education platform), and she has conducted several employee trainings on topics such as communications, performance evaluations, and diversity. In addition, she has been a technology instructor designing and developing hundreds of training courses through the College of Marin and the nonprofit Technology4Life.
Education
J.D., University of California, Hastings College of the Law
B.A., English Literature, Middlebury College, Summa Cum Laude
Continuing Education, Religious Studies, Stanford University