Nicole Valentine

Nicole Valentine

also known as Nicole Mullikin

4.9
Rating: 8.2

Licensed for 19 years

Medical malpractice Lawyer at Sacramento, CA
Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice, Licensing, Criminal Defense

2150 River Plaza Drive, Ste 250, Sacramento, CA

About Nicole

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Medical Malpractice 70%

I represent physicians and hospitals in medical malpractice claims.

70%
Licensing 25%

I represent professional licensees with reporting convictions, Accusations, hearings, and petitions to reinstate.

14 years

25%
Criminal Defense 5%

I represent licensed professionals facing felony, and misdemeanor charges

20 years

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 15 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 19 years

State: California

Acquired: 2006

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Low McKinley Baleria LLP

2150 River Plaza Drive, Ste 250, Sacramento, CA, 95833

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Nicole Valentine's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

169 Client Reviews

Showing 31 - 35 of 67 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by anonymous | February 02, 2021 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

DUI --> Wet Reckless and Citation and Fine from BRN

At the end of 2019, I was arrested for drunk driving. A few days later I retained Nicole for her services as she was recommended by a close friend. My BAC was 0.129 via blood and she was able to negotiate the DUI to a Wet Reckless with a ONE year informal probation order. I did one day of Sheriff ...Work Project and the three month DUI education class which I did over Zoom during the SAH order due to COVID. Within 30 days of conviction, the Wet Reckless was reported to the BRN and today, I received a Citation order from the BRN with a fine of $750. Nicole advised me to do CE pertaining to alcohol and substance abuse as well as have work performance evaluations as all of this was part of the mitigation packet that was submitted to the DA and BRN. This was the very result that Nicole predicted as she has done this was a very long time and she is knowledgeable in what she does. I could not thank her enough. If you're a RN in crisis for whatever reason and will be dealing with the BRN, please do yourself a favor and retain Nicole for her services.

Posted by Rachel | October 19, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Administrative Law

Diligence at it's best.

I just want to say that Nicole Valentine is the most diligent attorney and therefore my case was put on probation instead of revocation. Nicole really is awesome and I would totally refer her to any nurse who has legal issues to go to her for counsel. She represented me and the outcome was great. ... I cannot express the gratitude that I have to her for all her hard work she put out to assist me. She helped me save my nursing license and I therefore am grateful to her. Thank you, Nicole Valentine you rock!!!!

Posted by Nell | October 07, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

RN BSN CASE MANAGER/CARE COORDINATOR

Nicole was knowledgeable in the process of my case, available by email and phone for questions or comments I had; she was confident in her manner with dealing with a less than cooperative prosecutor; and ultimately was successful in the dismissal of my accusations. I would highly recommend Nicole for... defense with BRN accusations. Her staff with Goyette & Associates were also available and helpful when I called. They were responsive to my questions and requests to contact Nicole.

Posted by Kathryn | September 23, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Administrative Law

Nicole Valentine got my accusation DISMISSED!

I am so thankful that I found Nicole Valentine, a defense attorney at Goyette Law Firm. A former employer filed a complaint against my RN license to the Board of Registered Nursing. Because I strongly believed I had done nothing wrong, I initially spoke with the BRN investigator on my own, with...out representation by legal counsel. I realize now this was a big mistake. The investigator reported several of my statements out of context, left out several important statements in my defense, and in general painted a picture of a situation that was quite different from what really happened. While I wished I would have hired an attorney earlier, I definitely realized that I needed professional legal guidance when the BRN complaint was moved to a formal accusation. When I received that certified letter, I was absolutely devastated. It was like my whole world was crashing down. What would I do if my license was disciplined, or worse, revoked? This was my career, my passion, my livelihood at stake! I started doing research and found the RN Guardian website, where there was an array of helpful information. I submitted the details of my case and was contacted the next day. After reading several reviews, I requested Nicole, who contacted me soon after. Nicole Valentine was very knowledgeable, assertive, efficient, and professional from the very beginning. She listened attentively and reassured me without giving me any unrealistic expectations. After reviewing the discovery in detail, Nicole quickly figured out my defense strategy. While I hoped and prayed that this would all go away, my expectations for a full dismissal were low. I understood that less than one percent of BRN complaints were dismissed after reaching the point of a formal accusation. When the Board offered a $10k fine and a public letter of reprimand, I wasn’t sure what to do. Nicole explained some of the outcomes she had with other clients in these situations and compared with my case. She said she felt I had a strong case and encouraged me to fight for a full dismissal. I trusted her-- and that’s exactly what we did. Nicole always kept me up to date and considered many creative strategies of how we could go about defending my case. She was confident and willing to do whatever it took to get the best possible outcome. During the week of our scheduled hearing, Nicole shared some AMAZING NEWS. After she had reviewed some discrepancies with the Attorney General, the Board made the decision to officially withdrawal the accusation. Like magic, overnight, my license was FREE AND CLEAR. This whole experience has been life-changing, and in the end, I hold my RN license even more sacred than before. I worked hard to get it, and Nicole worked VERY hard to fight for it! In some ways, I wish I got to see Nicole in action at a hearing, but I am so thankful it never had to get to that point! If your nursing license is being investigated, remember: the BRN is NOT a group of nursing advocates. Do not talk to anyone without first calling Goyette & Associates and retaining Nicole Valentine! You won’t regret it! THANK YOU NICOLE!!!

Posted by anonymous | September 20, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Ethics & Professional Responsibility

BRN Investigation

I received a letter for the BRN that I was under investigation for an incident that occurred at my hospital with a patient. Nicole and all those who work with her were so great and helpful throughout the entire process. Nicole asks direct questions pertaining to the situation, fees are flat and not h...ourly which i preferred, and she is very responsive when needed. She has great connections and is familiar with many investigators at the BRN. She walks you step by step with how these investigations usually unfold and does not beat around the bush. She is so kind and even though my case closed without any intervention or disciplinary action, I still feel obligated to write about how incredibly supportive her and her staff were during the process.

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Nicole Valentine's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Nicole
Aaron Doyle headshot
Aaron Doyle

Licensing lawyer | Mar 10

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I wholeheartedly endorse Nicole. I have worked with her on opposing matters for the past several years and recently together as co-counsel. She is always well prepared, articulate and professional. Nicole is a true and zealous warrior for her clients."

Jamie Evan Silverstein headshot
Jamie Silverstein

Licensing lawyer | May 20

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. She is very bright, competent and she fights hard for her clients. She’s also a great communicator."

John William Thornton headshot
John Thornton

Licensing lawyer | May 20

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have referred several nurses in trouble with the BRN (DUI, stealing medications, etc.) to Nicole - all of them have been happy with her representation and results. I've been impressed enough to refer other lawyers to her. She works well with other attorneys to achieve a result that is good both on the criminal front and the licensing front."

View All Endorsements
Samuel Eugene Spital headshot
Samuel Spital

Administrative law lawyer

Jamie Evan Silverstein headshot
Jamie Silverstein

Criminal defense lawyer

John William Thornton headshot
John Thornton

DUI and DWI lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.2 (Excellent)

Work Experience

2025 - Present

Associate Attorney, Low McKinley Baleria, LLP

2013 - 2025

Managing Attorney of Professional Licensing Division, Goyette and Associates

2006 - 2013

Assistant Public Defender, Ciummo & Associates

2003 - 2005

Law Clerk, Protection & Advocacy, Inc.

Associations

2016 - Present

National Council of Jewish Women

Member

2005 - Present

California Public Defenders Association

Member

2016 - 2018

National Council of Jewish Women

Board Member

Education

2005

McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific

JD - Juris Doctor

2001

University of Central Florida

BA - Bachelor of Arts

N/A

University of Northampton

Semester Abroad

Speaking Engagements

2023

Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses Annual Convention What to Do When a Nurse is Caught Diverting Controlled Substances

2022

ASMN Annual Convention

What to Do When a Nurse is Under Investigation

Languages

English

Activity

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