Nicole is a partner at Johnson Newlon, & DeCort, P.A. Nicole practices in the areas of commercial, real estate, business, civil, and complex litigation. She advises private and public corporate clients on a broad range of commercial litigation matters. Nicole provides litigation support to both private and public companies, and individuals, corporations and their associated persons.
Nicole has represented clients in arbitration and litigation matters, administrative investigations, proceedings before state and federal regulatory agencies and self-regulatory organizations, and in state, federal, and appellate courts. Nicole has defended matters involving heath care fraud, environmental crimes, and qui tam actions.
Nicole is rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer rating for professional excellence and ethical standing. She has also been named as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers in Business litigation, an honor given to less than 2% of all of Florida’s practicing attorneys. Nicole has appeared frequently on CNBC, and on local television and radio, to comment on a variety of legal issues.
Nicole is very active in the community. Nicole serves as a Trustee for Pasco Hernando State College and she previously served as a City Commissioner for the City of Dade City. Nicole serves on the Board of the Federal Bar Association Federal Litigation Section and is a past Chair of the Section. Nicole is a Past President of The Tampa Bay Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. Though born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Nicole was raised here in the Tampa/Dade City area, where she currently lives with her husband William and her twin boys, Nicholas and Zachary.
Education
- Stetson University College of Law
J.D. magna cum laude, (Class Rank, 2nd)
Certificate of Concentration: Advocacy
Honors Program Graduate; Stanley Milledge Award Recipient;
Victor O. Wehle Trial Advocacy Award
National Order of Barristers
Member: Trial Team, Moot Court Board, and Stetson Law Review - University of South Florida
M.B.A. - University of South Florida
B.A., Finance
Admissions
- The Florida Bar
- U.S. District Court, Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
Experience
- Carlton Fields (Summer Associate/Law Clerk, 2003-2004)
- Fowler White (2004-2007)
- Shutts & Bowen (2007-2014)
Involvement
- Trustee, Pasco Hernando State College (2023-present)
- Dade City Rotary (Noon Club) Social Chair (2015-2017); President Nominee (2016-2017); President (2017-2018); Past President (2018-2019); Assistant Governor Area 5 (2018-2021); Secretary (2019-2022); Board Member (2016-2022)
- The Florida Bar Federal Court Practice Committee (Appointed 2015-2021);
- Federal Bar Association (National) Federal Litigation Section, Secretary/Treasurer (2016-2018); Board Member (2015-present); Vice Chair (2018-2020); Chair (2020-2022); Immediate Past Chair (2022-present).
- Fellow of the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association (2021-present)
- Federal Bar Association (Local) Tampa Bay Chapter, Member (2004-present); Board of Directors (2006-2008); Communications (2008-2010); Treasurer (2011-2012); Vice President (2012-2013); President (2014-2015); Immediate Past President (2015)
- Hillsborough County Bar Association Member (2004-present); Co-Chair of Young Lawyer’s Division Pro Bono Committee (2006-2008)
- Women Lawyers of Pasco (2016- present)
- City of Dade City Commissioner (2016-2020)
- The Tampa Connection Class of 2008
- Commission on the Status of Women (Pasco) (2016-2019)
- Merit Selection Panel, Middle District of Florida (2016-2017)
- Empowering Pasco’s Veterans (2019-2022); Secretary (2019-2022)
- Academy At The Farm PTO Board (2018-2022); Treasurer (2019-2022)
- Pasco Education Volunteer (2010-2011)
- Pasco High School Advisory Committee (2012-2014)
- Tampa Bay Inn of Court (2005-2007)
- East Pasco YMCA Board of Directors (2009-2013)
