Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
5.0 /5.0
15 Client Reviews
$ 300-300 per hour
PRO
Nicole J. Griese
also known as Nicole Vanhove
About Nicole
Biography
Nicole's practice focuses on strategic critical thinking, compassionate guidance, and zealous advocacy. The best case is the well-prepared one.
Nicole was born and raised into humble roots in Sioux Falls, SD and is a first generation lawyer in her family. Her father grew up in a family of farmers, and her mother grew up in a family focused on 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 2018, Nicole gained extensive experience working from for 5 different law firms in North Carolina, Minnesota and South Dakota.
In Nicole’s law career, she has extensive trial experience taking a variety of cases to jury trial and having successfully won acquittals in both federal and state court at the felony 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. Finally, Nicole’s experience includes recovering six figures in settlements for clients in personal injury claims. 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 two children. She enjoys running, reading and watching movies.
Compassionate with clients, relentless in the pursuit of justice.
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
Family
33%
Criminal Defense
32%
DUI and DWI
10%
Divorce and Separation
10%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Contingency
33%-33%
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2018
Licenses
Licensed in South Dakota for 9 years
State: South Dakota
Acquired: 2016
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Nicole online.
Nicole J. Griese's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 11 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by paul | October 6, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Super Professional
Att. Nicole was very professional and timely. Responded and returned calls very quickly.
Posted by Brenda | August 30, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Divorce
I used Nicole Griese for my divorce. She was knowledgeable, compassionate, direct and looked at all avenues. However painful, my divorce was, the load was lightened by having Nicole represent me.
Posted by Lori | March 24, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Breath of Fresh Air
We recently had an urgent need for a lawyer to help us deal with a family crisis. After many sleepless nights, we were referred to Nicole. She was a breath of fresh air, during a time of extreme duress for our family. She immediately made us feel at ease, and gave us hope that there was a "light at t...
Posted by anonymous | March 3, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Highly recommend
We hired Nicole to represent our son who had a temporary protection order placed against him. Nicole was very thorough in investigation our case, and found many of the accusations against our son to be false. With Nicole's help our sons case dismissed. We were very pleased with the outcome of our c...
Posted by Courtney & Nick | February 21, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Great attorney
Nicole was always one step ahead, very thorough when it came to my case! I was very pleased with the outcome! If you ever need a attorney who goes above and beyond Nicole is the one!!
Nicole J. Griese's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Nicole is a passionate and dedicated attorney that strives for the absolute best results for her clients."
"Nicole has created a thriving practice due to her drive to help her clients."
"I’ve had the pleasure of working under Nicole, and her expertise in both criminal and family law is truly impressive. She brings a strong sense of leadership to our team, combined with a deep commitment to her clients. Nicole’s ability to navigate complex legal issues with clarity and precision is remarkable, making her a formidable advocate in and out of the courtroom. I highly recommend her to anyone in need of a dedicated and skilled attorney."
"Nicole and I attended law school together. We participated in a legal clinic where we practiced as student attorneys with the oversight of a licensed attorney. Nicole ensures her clients are always informed of all their legal options and breaks down even the most cumbersome legal information in a way that is easy to understand. She is an amazing advocate for each of her clients. I endorse this attorney."
"I strongly endorse Nicole. She is dedicated to getting the best results for her clients."
"Nicole is a thoughtful and dedicated advocate. I would recommend her without reservation for any matter."
"Nicole is intelligent, thoughtful, and a zealous advocate for every client. Her thorough preparation and dedication is evident when she is in the courtroom. I endorse Nicole without hesitation."
"Nicole is a zealous advocate for her clients. I highly recommend her in all areas of law. She is a compassionate and assertive advocate."
"Nicole and I represented co-defendants on felony charges. She got a fantastic result for her client (a reduction in charges to a misdemeanor and a suspended jail sentence with restitution), and did that after confronting the prosecutor with the weaknesses in their case and with their evidence. I told her she set the standard in that case for me to try to reach, and I meant it. Nicole is a zealous advocate for her clients and not afraid to stand up for them or fight for them. I endorse this attorney."
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Experience
Honors
2025
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2024
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2021
Top 10 Attorney, Attorney and Practice Magazine
2020
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2019
Women in Law Top 40 - South Dakota, National Alliance of Women in Law
2019
2019 Top 10- South Dakota, American Jurist Institute
2019
Top 10- South Dakota, American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys
2019
"30 under 30", University of South Dakota Alumni Association
2018
Criminal Law Rising Star, American Institute of Legal Advocates
2018
LAY TRACS Recognition, South Dakota Young Lawyers Association
2018
10 Best, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
2018
South Dakota Bar Trial Skills, National Institute for Trial Advocacy
2018
Pro Bono Service Award 2018, South Dakota Bar Association
2017
Top 10 Under 40 Personal Injury Attorneys, National Academy Of Personal Injury Attorneys
2014
Pro Bono Honor Highest Distinction, Charlotte School of Law
Work Experience
2018 - Present
Attorney, Griese Law Firm, P.C.
2017 - 2018
Attorney, Eich Law Office, Prof. LLC
2016 - 2017
Associate Attorney, King Law Firm, P.C.
2015 - 2016
Paralegal/Law Clerk, King Law Firm, P.C.
2014 - 2014
Intern, Lopez Law Firm, Prof LLC
2014 - 2015
Law Clerk, Dennis J. Holisak Law Office
2014 - 2014
Volunteer Student Attorney, Mecklenburg County Public Defender's Office
2013 - 2013
Extern, Law Office of Beth Sibley, PLLC
2013 - 2013
Extern, The Law Office of Camille Blanton, LLC
Associations
2018 - Present
United States District Court, District of South DakotaMember
2017 - Present
South Dakota Second Circuit Bar AssociationMember
2016 - Present
South Dakota Young Lawyers AssociationMember
2016 - Present
South Dakota State BarMember
2019 - 2020
Second Circuit Women In LawVice President
2018 - 2023
Sioux Empire Teen Court diversion programVolunteer Judge
2018 - 2019
Women to the WorkforceMentor
2018 - 2020
South Dakota Trial Lawyers AssociationBoard of Governors
2018 - 2019
Second Circuit Women in LawTreasurer
2018 - 2022
Sioux CouncilBoard of Directors
2017 - 2021
American Association for JusticeMember
Sample of Legal Cases
41CRI23-119 State v. S.K.
Acquittal
US v. Johnson, 4-22 CR22-40071
Acquittal
In the Matter of L.M.
49CIV22-544
41CRI21-357 State v. Y.H.
Acquittal
41CRI21-843 State v. K.V.W.
Remand for New Trial
49CIV13-3102 L.N. vs. L.O.
Favorable
62CIV21-17 B.W. vs M.R.
Granted Motion to Modify Custody
41CRI19-447
Acquittal
41cri19-232 STATE V. M.F.
Dismissed
P.W. vs. Social Security Administration
Favorable
Y.G. v. M.S. CIV17-934
successfully settled outside of trial
G.J. v. at fault party and underinsured claim
successfully settled outside of litigation
E.N. v. A.M.
successfully settled outside of litigation
Claimant v. Employer and Insurer, SDDOL 18/19
Settled case outside of hearing
A.S. v. H.S. 49DIV16-354
Bench trial
62TPO18-000003 | K.G.H. vs. B.D.M.
Successfully Dismissed Protection Order Against My Client
44CRI17-000078 | STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA vs. C.K.T.
Successfully Dismissed Entire Complaint-DUI 1st offense
T.A. v. K.M. (Geico); T.A. v. Nationwide
Successfully recovered money for injured victim of 2 separate car accidents
44CRI17-000070 | STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA vs. W.S.G.
Successfully Dismissed All 4 Felony Charges, reduced offenses to minor misdemeanor charge and Granted Suspended Imposition of Sentence
30CIV17-000004 | Z.D.B. vs. K.P., L.P., and K.P.
Successfully Recovered Money for Plaintiff in a Settlement Outside of Trial
49CIV15-002167 | S.B. and L.B. vs. T.E. and T.E.
Successfully Recovered Money for Injured Plaintiff in Settlement at Mediation
49CIV16-000914 | N. R. S. vs. D.C. & C.D.I.
Successfully Settled Workers Comp Case at Mediation by Recovering Money for Injured Worker
49CIV16-002764 | P.F. and S.F. vs. J.R.A. and J.M.A.
Successfully Recovered Money for Injured Plaintiff in Settlement Outside of Trial
49REC11000328 | SD EX REL, & BROOKS VS. SISIC
Successfully Dismissed Motion and was Granted Judgment for Attorney Fees
49CIV16-002145 | T.E. vs. N.P.
Successfully Granted Paternity, Joint Legal Custody and Established Parenting Time Schedule
Education
2014
Charlotte School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2011
University of South Dakota
Bachelor Science
N/A
University of Minnesota Law School
visiting student-Fall 2014
Speaking Engagements
2022
Staying Organized
Lawyer Organizational Skills
2021
Law School Orientation
Mental Health in the Legal Profession
2018
Youth Attorney Training
Getting in to the Field of Law
2018
Sam Masten Appellate Competition
Actual Physical Control of Vehicle for DUI
2013
Domestic Violence Panel, October 9, 2013
Domestic Violence in Practice
Publications
2018
Law Blog on Eich Law Office Facebook Page
What is a Will and Where Should You Keep It?
2018
Law Blog on Eich Law Office Facebook page
What Do I Do If I've Been in A Motor Vehicle Accident?
2014
Charlotte School of Law Student Run Newspaper
The Charlotte Law Docket, Volume 7, Issue 7, February 2014
2014
Charlotte School of Law Student Run Newspaper, Volume 8, Issue 1, August 2014
Humanitarian Crisis: Tens of Thousands of Unaccompanied Children Migrate North to the U.S. from Central America
2014
Charlotte School of Law Student Run Newspaper, Volume 8, Issue 4, November/December 2014
OP-ED: My Experience "Visiting" at University of Minnesota Law
2013
Charlotte School of Law Student Run Newspaper
The Charlotte Law Docket, Volume 7, Issue 1, August 2013
2013
Charlotte School of Law Student Run Newspaper
The Charlotte Law Docket, Volume 7, Issue 2 September 2013
Languages
English
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