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Sarah Rebecca Nichols
About Sarah
Biography
Ms. Nichols is an attorney with more than 20 years of experience in HR/employment law. She provides effective legal representation and advice to employees. Her advice is measured, concise and tailored based upon the needs of the client.
A subject matter expert, aware of trends in business and law, her solutions are innovative but always practical.
Born in the US and raised in Australia, Sarah Nichols, founder of Nichols Law, grew up loving time on the beach and in the outback. She has been a business owner and a partner in a The American Lawyer 100 law firm with offices across the globe.
Sarah represents individuals in relation to their discrimination, retaliation, and wage and hour claims. She assists employees negotiating their exits from their employers. She is a tough and conscientious advocate for her clients and believes having experience on both sides makes her a better attorney.
Sarah is a skilled public speaker, author, coach, and HR expert. She has taught at both Berkeley and Hastings Law Schools and is a member of the Berkeley Center on Comparative Equality and Anti-Discrimination Law. Sarah is a frequent speaker for associations as well as private employers and provides compliance and liability prevention training for managers. She is passionate about different cultures in the workplace, closing the pay gap and involved in the community through her support for Equal Rights Advocates.
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 650-800 per hour
Contingency
40%-50%
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 21 years
State: California
Acquired: 2004
No misconduct found
Location
Nichols Law, PC 415-504-3095
9 Pier, Ste 100, San Francisco, CA, 94111
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Sarah Rebecca Nichols's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
15 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Business
Posted by Marzena | April 05, 2020 | Business
Quick and helpful
During this outbreak, we (like everyone else) are trying to understand what we can and can't do to keep our business running, while being fair (and within the law) with employees. Sarah was able to give me quick and insightful advice that helped us make some of these difficult decisions.
Sarah Rebecca Nichols's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have known Sarah for several years. She is a tough, experienced Aussie attorney who is dedicated to her clients and ensuring they obtain the best outcome in their matter. She is a tenacious litigator and conscientious coach, known for being highly responsive to her clients and colleagues. Sarah is an exceptional employment attorney, and one of my first points of contact for all employment-related issues."
"I needed an urgent consult on behalf of a valued client, and Sarah was able to take my call and provide sound guidance with hardly any advance notice. Really appreciated her immediate availability and professional demeanor, and my client was incredibly grateful for Sarah's counsel."
"Sarah is a very smart and compassionate advocate with a great sense of humor. She is also very practical and knowledgeable about employment law issues. I admire her passion for justice as well as her genuine efforts to empower people all around her. She is truly a positive force in our legal community."
"Sarah is a smart, dedicated and effective litigator who fights hard for her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Nichols is very responsive and has excellent resources. She is also very helpful."
"I endorse Sarah Nichols as an excellent labor/employment attorney and fellow Boss Lady. She is has the training and experience of a big law firm, but offers the personal touch of a small business. Clients are in good hands with Sarah as their attorney."
"Sarah has the superb training of top employment defense firms but now offers the personal attention of a small business through her law firm, Nichols Law. Plaintiffs and Defendants are in good hands with Sarah!"
"I worked with Sarah on several cases and can unequivocally state she is highly knowledgeable, personable and committed to her clients. She is an excellent and experienced attorney. She's also a fantastic, friendly and terrific person who is a pleasure to be around. I highly recommend Sarah."
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Experience
Honors
2023
2023 Best Lawyers of America, Best Lawyers in America
2023
Best Law Firms, Best Lawyers
2022
2022 Edition of Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers
2022
2022 Northern California Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers
2022
Best Lawyers: Employment Law, Best Lawyers
2022
2023 Best Law Firms, U.S. News – Best Lawyers®
2021
2021 Northern California Super Lawyer, California Super Lawyers
2021
2021 Top Women Attorneys in Northern California, San Francisco Magazine
2021
Best Lawyers In America California 2021, Best Lawyers
2001
Zoe Hall Memorial Scholarship, University of Sydney
Work Experience
2018 - Present
Owner, Nichols Law, P.C.
2013 - 2016
Lecturer of Law, Uc Berkeley School Of Law
2011 - 2012
Adjunct Fellow, Hastings College Of Law
2010 - 2018
Partner, Ogletree Deakins
2008 - 2010
Employment Attorney, Littler Mendelson
2007 - 2008
Employment Attorney, Fisher & Phillips
2005 - 2007
Global Equity Associate, Baker & McKenzie, LLP
2003 - 2005
Employment & Litigation Legal Assistant, Morrison Foerster, LLP
2002 - 2004
Volunteer Advocate, San Francisco Legal Aid Society Employment Law Center
2002 - 2003
Litigation Paralegal, Epstein, Englert, Staley, & Coffey
2000 - 2001
Law Clerk, Blake Dawson Waldron, Attorneys
1998 - 2000
Summer Associate & Law Clerk, Phillips Fox, Attorneys
Associations
2020 - Present
California Employment Lawyers AssociationMember
2019 - Present
Berkeley Center on Comparative Equality and Anti-Discrimination LawMember
2007 - Present
Bar Association of San Francisco, Labor and Employment Law SectionMember
2007 - Present
San Francisco Barristers Club International Practice SectionVice Chair
2006 - Present
American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law, International Labor Law CommitteeMember
2004 - Present
State Bar of California, Labor and Employment Law SectionMember
2004 - Present
American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law SectionMember
2013 - 2019
Youth SpeaksBoard Member
2006 - 2007
Lawyers’ Club of San Francisco, Inn of CourtMember
2006 - 2007
Technology, Media and Communications Network of AdvanceCo-chair
Sample of Legal Cases
Knox et al v. Contra Costa County et al
Lyman v. IDEO, L.P.
Doherty v. FX PALO ALTO LABORATORY, INC. (FXPAL); FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.; FX GLOBAL, INC.
Education
2001
University of Sydney
JD - Juris Doctor
1998
University of Sydney
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2023
The Real Property Law Section 2023 Health and Wellness Retreat
Panelist on Strategies for Thriving as Women Lawyers in a Post-Pandemic World
2022
Startup Experts Fireside Chat
Panel on Compensation and the New California Law
2019
SF Employer Advisory Council - AB 5 Presentation
California Assembly Bill 5
2019
Financial Executives International: Diversify Your Portfolio
Panel on Diversity & Inclusion in the Workforce
2019
Bank of SF: Top 10 HR Issues Facing Nonprofits
Top 10 HR Issues Facing Nonprofits
2014
Barrister's Club of SF
San Francisco Family Friendly Workplace Ordinance & Other Local Ordinances
Publications
2018
National Law Review
California’s Salary History Ban: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
2016
2016
2014
2000
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can you sue your employer for emotional distressed ?
12 Jun 2020
Q&A
Is asking for sex over snapchat even when she says no illegal?
12 Dec 2019
Q&A
Can an employer require a doctor's note for me to return to work?
29 Mar 2019