Nicole was born and raised into humble roots in Sioux Falls, SD and is a first generation lawyer. Her father grew up in a family of farming, and her mother grew up in a family focused on running a business. Nicole’s family ingrained in her at a young age the importance of working hard and she brings those values of never giving up to her cases both in and out of the courtroom. Her practice  consists of strategic critical thinking, compassionate guidance, and zealous advocacy.

Before opening her own law office in spring 2018, Nicole gained extensive experience working from 2013-2018 for 5 different law firms in North Carolina, Minnesota and South Dakota.

In Nicole’s law career, she has trial experience taking a variety of cases to jury trial and having successfully won acquittals in both federal and state court at the felony and misdemeanor level. Nicole has also litigated countless custody and divorce cases, advocating for parental rights and to ensure clients end up with their fair share of the marital estate. Whatever the fight—Nicole does not back down and brings to the table considerable experience.

In addition to litigating full time and owning her own business, Nicole spends her free time with her husband and kids. She enjoys running, reading and watching movies.

Representative Cases/Outcomes:

• 49REC11000328 - won contempt for client (mom) against dad in a custody case and attorney fees granted (2017)

• 49CIV18-000600- 3 day grandparent visitation trial (2018)

• 41CRI19-000232- succeeded on a motion to suppress the evidence, Court held the search was unlawful; state dismissed Possession of Controlled Substance indictment (2020)

• 41CRI19-447- court trial- Not Guilty by Insanity verdict and Acquittal on a class 6 felony (Court did not order any continued supervision) (2021)

• 62CIV21-000017- court trial- Nicole represented dad that had minimal visitation and Court granted motion and ordered dad gets primary custody (2021)

• 41CRI21-000201- jury trial- Distribution of Controlled Substance (2021)

• 66CRI20-000304 - Rape 2nd degree charge with a part II of 3 plus priors - got state to dismiss part II and reduce to a class 3 Felony (2021) 

• 49CIV13-003102- court trial- represented mom and resisted dad’s motion to modify custody; Judge denied dad’s motion and continued primary custody with Nicole’s client (2021)

• 41CRI21-000843- jury trial - Rape 2nd degree- 7.5 hour jury verdict (2022) overturned; Supreme Court opinion Van der Weide 24 SD 18 - order new trial (2024)

• 41CRI21-000357- jury trial on class 5 felony- Not Guilty verdict for Nicole’s client- Acquittal (2022)

• 49CIV22-544 - Nicole successfully got client off the sex offender registry (2022)

• 4:22 CR-40071- jury trial in federal court- Nicole’s client was charged with Distribution resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (a 20 year federal mandatory minimum sentence) received a Not Guilty Verdict and Acquittal (2022)

• 41DIV20-000045 - court trial- represented dad arguing for shared physical custody (2022-2023)

• 4:21-cr-40078- four day jury trial in federal court on Conspiracy to Distribute and Money Laundering (2023)

• 62DIV23-000007- contested interim hearing and won temporary alimony (2023)

• 41CRI23-000119 - jury trial - Stalking - Not Guilty Acquittal (2023)

• 49CRI23-007368- Nicole’s client was charged with Rape 2nd degree and she pushed until State fully dismissed (2024)

• 49CIV24-189 ex parte emergency custody granted for 6 week old baby, Nicole’s client (dad) got sole physical and legal (2024)

• 66CIV19-301 ex parte emergency custody granted for Nicole’s client (mom) (2024)

• Between March 2018- April 2024: tried 16 social security disability appeals to a hearing before administrative law judge and received favorable outcomes on 13 of them

Awards:

• 30 Under 30 University of South Dakota Alumni Association, 2019

• Sioux Falls Tribute to Women in Leadership, nominee in Community Service, 2019

• SD Young Lawyers Association, Lawyers Assisting Youth to Take Responsibility Award, 2019

• South Dakota Trial Skills, National Institute for Trial Advocacy, 2018

Leadership Positions:

• State Bar Women in law Committee (2018-2024)

• Sioux Falls Juvenile Diversion Board (2019-2023)

• Solo and Small Firm Committee (2019-2023)

• Second Circuit Women in Law, Vice President (2019-2020) and Treasurer (2018-2019)

• Sioux Council board member (2018-2021)

• South Dakota Trial Lawyers Board of Governors (2018-2020)