After distinguishing herself in law school with multiple awards and graduating with honors, Nicole has spent the better part of the last decade distinguishing herself as a trial lawyer and teacher of trial practice. She represents clients in high stakes business litigation, plaintiff's legal malpractice, and catastrophic personal injury cases. Nicole understands the impact that litigation can have on a client's life, and her advocacy for her clients is empowered by her empathy and passion for being a trial lawyer. She balances the demands of all of her clients by being organized, analytical, and precise. Moreover, Nicole prepares a case from the start as though it will proceed to trial, always keeping in mind the ultimate goal of the client.
Nicole represents clients in state and federal court in and outside of Colorado. She has tried cases to juries, to judges, and through arbitration, but also strives to reach early resolution where doing so serves the best interests of her clients. Nicole has published and presented on various subjects, from the impact a contract may have on the claims a party may assert to the ethical considerations for practicing lawyers to the ways in which to manage litigation costs in document intensive cases. Nicole has made her presence known in the following cases:
After Dave Repsher, a flight nurse, suffered full thickness burns to over 90 percent of his body when a helicopter on which he was a crewmember crashed, Nicole labored on the product liability case filed against the helicopter manufacturer and helicopter operator. In addition to her work on liability issues, she and Murray Ogborn worked in partnership to focus on the damages portion of the case, which resulted in a $100 million settlement for their clients Dave and Amanda Repsher.
Nicole took a lead position in a nation-wide mass tort involving claims against hundreds of defendants for dental malpractice in the treatment of children. The cases also included charges of fraud, violation of the corporate practice of medicine laws, and conspiracy. She issued a white paper on the corporate practice of medicine/dentistry and successfully defeated multiple motions to dismiss, for bifurcation, for change of venue, and for summary judgment. The matter resolved with settlements exceeding $40 million in favour of the children.
When the wind down of a government construction project resulted in a six-figure dispute between joint venturers, Nicole provided substantial assistance in forcing the close-up of the business to the financial benefit of her client.
Nicole assisted her client in establishing liability and damages against an attorney in a legal malpractice action, which pushed the matter into mediation and resulted in a settlement even before the client had to file a complaint or incur added costs and attorney fees.
Nicole has been named a SuperLawyers Rising Star and National Trial Lawyers 40 Under 40. Nicole is an active member of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association and an editor of the Association's publication, Trial Talk. She is also actively involved in the international Society of Primerus Law Firms and an editor of its young lawyer publication, Stare Decisis. Nicole has also published chapters on the ethics of contacting current and former employees and the inner workings of legal malpractice lawsuits in Lawyers' Professional Liability in Colorado, (CLE in Colorado, Inc.).
Nicole not only practices trial law, she teaches it. During law school, Nicole excelled as a member of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law National Trial Team, where she won the championship round of a Regional competition and competed on the national level. She won multiple awards and scholarships recognizing her exceptional ability to advocate--a trait from which her clients continue to benefit. Shortly after graduating from law school in 2010, Nicole was invited to teach trial practice as an adjunct professor at the Sturm College of Law. Over the years, she has coached the University of Denver law school's National Trial Team and taught Trial Practicum and Day One: Civil Practice Lab, classes which focus on the practice of civil litigation and advocacy in the courtroom.
Nicole is married to Nick Quintana, a Colorado native and finance professional. The couple has two children that ensure their time away from work is spent focused on active endeavors. Nicole is an avid hiker, Pilates enthusiast, and soccer fan. In rare moments of downtime, she enjoys movies and reading.
Business Litigation
Legal Malpractice
Product Liability/Personal Injury
University of Denver Sturm College of Law, J.D., Order of St. Ives
University of Colorado at Boulder
Colorado
United States District Court for the District of Colorado
"Privilege Logs in Document Intensive Cases: A Categorical Approach" (Trial Talk, Vol. 65, Issue 5, Sept 2016)
Assesses an alternative approach to document by document privilege logs in document intensive cases in order to manage litigation costs and attorney time and provides legal basis for doing so.
Your Place or Mine?: The Burden of Proving Collectability of an Underlying Judgment in a Legal Malpractice Action
"Contacts with Represented Parties and Their Current and Former Employees," Lawyers' Professional Liability in Colorado (CBA-CLE) March, 2016 (Co-Authored with Michael Cross). This new Chapter in Colorado's premier treatise on professional liability explores the ethical and legal implications of contacting current and former employees of corporate parties involved in litigation.
"Is it a Breach of Contract or a Business Tort? Why it Makes a Difference in Business Litigation," CTLA Convention, Summer 2013
Commercial clients oftentimes become embroiled in business disputes that involve contracts, as well as common law duties. This article exposed the potential pitfalls a lawyer may encounter if unaware of the impact a contract may have on tortious conduct.
"Coming Soon To A Courtroom Near You: Considerations Of A Trial Lawyer Regarding Cameras In The Courtroom," CTLA Trial Talk Magazine, February/March 2011
Federal courts instituted a pilot project in which court-run cameras were placed in federal courtrooms. The article addressed considerations for trial lawyers in those courtrooms, as well as the potential impact a permanent program could have on jury trials and public awareness.
Nicole has become well-versed in managing and litigating high dollar, document intensive cases. In addition to representing her clients, Nicole is on the Editorial Committee for the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association premier publication and is also an editor for the Primerus Young Lawyers publication. She attended the American Association of Justice Ultimate Trial College to further her analytical and trial skills. Nicole was selected for membership in National Association of Distinguished Counsel (recognizing less than 1% of practicing attorneys in the United States as the "Nation's Top Attorneys")
International Society of Primerus Law Firms
American Association of Justice
Colorado Bar Association
Denver Bar Association
Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
Co-Chair, Construction Defect Task Force, 2011, 2012, 2013
"Privilege Logs in Document Intensive Cases: A Categorical Approach," CTLA Summer Convention, 2016
"The Language of Social Media and Electronic Discovery: A Layman's Guide," CTLA Seminar "Do Not Be Afraid: Using Technology and Social Media Today," Summer 2011
This presentation provided a tutorial overview of common technological language with which lawyers are faced in the age of technology and electronic discovery.
"Med Pay v. PIP: The Same, Yet Different," CTLA Convention, Summer 2009
When Colorado repealed it no-fault insurance statute, Medical Payments insurance coverage became even more important. This presentation addressed the similarities and differences between the prior no fault coverage and the current medical payments coverage that insurance companies must offer their insureds.
"Writing Effective Demand Letters," CTLA Convention, Summer 2007
Many insurance companies employ insurance software in order to place a value on personal injury claims. This presentation addressed what information and format is most beneficial to lawyers and their clients in order to maximize the valuation of clients' injuries.
Nicole and her husband are volunteers for Brent's Place, a Children's Hospital Colorado housing facility for immune compromised cancer patients and their families. Brent's Place provides a living environment that is essential to healing and recovery. Volunteers spend an evening with the children and their families in order to prepare them a home cooked meal while away from their own homes.
