Professional Overview

Nicole is a member of HCMP’s Land Use team, where she represents developers and property owners in securing land use approvals for development projects throughout the region. Her work spans a wide range of project types, including residential, commercial, mixed‑use, industrial, senior living, healthcare, educational, and religious facilities.

Nicole works closely with clients at all stages of the entitlement process to interpret and apply local land use codes and state statutes, helping translate regulatory requirements into clear, practical strategies. She is experienced in identifying and addressing issues early in the process to avoid unforeseen surprises and risks for her clients. Nicole is known for her thoughtful and solutions‑oriented approach. She combines careful attention to regulatory detail with an understanding of broader project objectives, allowing her to consistently achieve efficient and workable outcomes for her clients.

Nicole also effectively utilizes her natural ability to develop positive and collaborative relationships both within a developer-client team and with permitting jurisdictions. Nicole knows her clients are served best when decision makers not only respect her legal aptitude but also when they pick up the phone when she calls.

Articles and Presentations

  • Instructor, “Shoreline Management Act”, Seattle University School of Law (annually)
  • Moderator, “Permits on the Horizon: Streamlining the Process with City Officials,” NAIOP Meeting, Seattle, WA (September 26, 2024)
  • Speaker, “Big Deals for the South End,” NAIOP Meeting, Seattle, WA (March 16, 2022)
  • Speaker, “Permitting Strategies in the Northwest: Permitting 101,” The Seminar Group Webcast (December 1, 2021)
  • Panelist, “Recruitment, Retention, & Relationships,” NAIOP Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Webinar (February 25, 2021)

Professional and Civic Involvement

  • Urban Land Institute (ULI), Chair of Mission Advancement
  • National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP)
    • Government Affairs, Current Member and Past Co-Chair
    • Eastside Committee, Current Member
    • Developing Leaders Committee, Past Member
  • Washington State Bar Association, Environmental & Land Use Law Section, 2021 Mid-Year Seminar Co-Chair
  • Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
  • King County Bar Association

Honors / Awards / Prior Experience

  • Legal 500, Seattle Elite Lawyer, 2025
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® on the Ones to Watch List in Land Use and Zoning Law since 2021
  • Recognized in Washington State by Chambers USA as an “Up and Coming” in the area of Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use 2022
  • Named on the Washington Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers® Magazine
  • Named on the Top 10 Washington Attorneys list in Zoning/Land Use by Business Today 2023
  • Future Leader, Chambers Diversity & Inclusion Awards: North America 2021

Education

  • University of California, Berkeley (B.A., with Honors, 2007)
  • Seattle University School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2014)
    • Seattle University Law Review
    • Seattle University School of Law Dean’s Scholarship
    • King County Bar Association’s Diversity Fellowship

Personal

  • Pro bono work for the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
  • Pro bono work for the Promise of Justice Initiative