Nicole N. King
Counsel
Nicole has similarly obtained favorable client results as a member of many other trial teams, including a jury's return of a complete defense verdict. She has also handled appellate matters before the California Courts of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Nicole takes a methodical approach to resolving each of her cases by anticipating client needs, weighing risks, and creating project management systems, processes, and structures for case teams where none previously existed. She brings a growth mindset to her work, vigorously fostering a high-performance team culture, inspiring colleagues to collaborate in more effective and efficient uses of their time. This results in increased productivity of superior work product and reduced costs for her clients.
Nicole is integrated into every stage of the litigation process: dispositive motion practice, discovery (including taking and defending expert and fact witness depositions), court appearances and oral argument, managing experts, mediation, alternative dispute resolution proceedings, trial preparation, and trial.
Nicole serves on Venable's Los Angeles Hiring Committee, where she strives to ensure that the firm hires people from diverse backgrounds with unique perspectives to better reflect the modern world. Nicole also serves as the West Coast deputy chair of the Venable Success Network (VSN), the firm's affinity group designed to empower Black attorneys, by fostering and promoting strong professional networks and educational initiatives.
Experience
Experience
Government Experience
- Staff member, U.S. House of Representatives, Office of Representative Barbara Lee
Representative Matters
- Representing a vaccine manufacturer in nationwide litigation involving allegations that the vaccine was defective in its manufacture and/or warnings. Performing the day-to-day handling of the case and contributing to the overall litigation strategy and case management
- Representing a manufacturer of industrial and commodity chemicals in toxic tort litigation matters involving claims for personal injury and/or wrongful death damages based on allegations of occupational exposure to chlorine solvents. Contributing to overall litigation strategy and case management
- Representing a pharmaceutical manufacturer of an osteoporosis medication in nationwide litigation involving allegations that the medication causes osteonecrosis of the jaw and atypical femur fractures. Performing the day-to-day handling of the case and contributing to the overall litigation strategy and case management
- Representing a vaccine manufacturer in litigation involving allegations that the vaccine causes continual uncontrolled neuromuscular contractions, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and other symptoms of systemic autoimmune dysregulation. Contributing to the overall litigation and discovery strategy
- Represented a vaccine manufacturer in a nationwide mass tort multidistrict litigation (MDL) and statewide judicial council coordinated proceedings (JCCP) involving allegations that the vaccine did not prevent its intended virus, but rather increased the likelihood of contracting the virus if taken. Managed five bellwether cases and contributed to the overall litigation strategy and case management
- Represented a pharmaceutical manufacturer of a proton pump inhibitor medication in a nationwide mass tort MDL litigation involving allegations of kidney injuries. Managed two Wave 1 cases in discovery
- Represented a limited liability company and two high-net-worth public figures in a property dispute involving trespass and private nuisance claims. Led an expert development team, including managing land surveying, arborist, landscape architect, real estate valuation, and geology expert witnesses. Performed the day-to-day handling of the case and contributed to the overall litigation strategy and case management. The case resulted in a favorable settlement—a nearly 78 percent reduction in plaintiffs’ initial offer to compromise
- Represented a regional trade association in an administrative action involving a challenge to a proposed timber cutting provision in a federal government agency project aimed at reducing wildfire risk, slowing the speed of wildfire, providing safe and effective locations for fire suppression efforts, and reducing the potential for loss of life, property, and natural resources. Obtained summary judgment that was later affirmed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Represented a residential remodeling company in affirmative trade secret litigation, prosecuting federal and state statute claims for misappropriation of trade secrets
- Served on a trial team for a nine-week jury trial, where the plaintiff sought $25 million plus punitive damages against a CEO individually for alleged breach of fiduciary duty and fraud. After deliberating for four days, the jury returned a complete defense verdict
- Litigated and negotiated a favorable settlement in a product liability action after drafting a demurrer to all claims against the client, reducing the plaintiff's initial settlement demand by 95 percent
- Litigated and obtained a dismissal with prejudice in a wrongful death action involving claims for negligence and negligent supervision
- Litigated and obtained a dismissal order in favor of a consumer credit company in action brought under state email spam statutes, including California Business and Professions Code § 17529.5
- Represented a not-for-profit professional organization against breach of contract claims and in pursuit of counterclaims asserting theft and misappropriation of trade secrets. Led an expert development team (including managing, prepping, and deposing trade secrets, project management industry, damages, and virtual reality software expert witnesses) and contributed to overall litigation strategy and case management
- Represented a professional medical society in an insurance coverage dispute over breach of contract and fraud claims, securing coverage for attorneys' fees and settlement with the plaintiff for over $344,000
- Represented a co-trustee in an insurance coverage dispute in a trust and estate dispute, securing coverage for attorneys' fees and costs and settlement with the plaintiff amounting to $3.85 million
- Represented a design and manufacturing company in an insurance coverage dispute over breach of contract and business tort claims, securing coverage for attorneys' fees and settlement with the plaintiff amounting to $38,500
Insights
Insights
Credentials
Credentials
Education
- J.D. University of Southern California, Gould School of Law 2012
- Hale Moot Court Honors Program, Fox Rothschild LLP Written Advocacy Award for Best Brief/Respondent—First Amendment, 2010 – 2011
- USC Law Scholarship
- The Nassau Lawyers Association of Long Island Scholarship
- Public interest fellow, Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law
- B.A. Political Science cum laude The George Washington University 2007
- Dean's List (eight semesters)
- Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society
- The National Society of Collegiate Scholars
- Pi Sigma Alpha National Honor Society
Bar Admissions
- California
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Professional Memberships and Activities
- Fellow, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), 2024
- Member, Association of Business Trial Lawyers
- Member, Hiring Committee for Venable's Los Angeles office
- Graduate, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) Trial Academy, 2022
- Member, Board of Directors, Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law
Recognition
Recognition
- The Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, 2021 – 2024
Community
Community
Pro Bono
- First-chaired a winning bench trial in a divorce action for a pro bono client who had endured physical, sexual, and emotional abuse during the marriage and had been unauthorized to work in the United States. After a two-day trial, the judge ruled in the client's favor completely, issuing a judgment of dissolution of marriage, a finding of the client's claimed date of separation, and an award for spousal support