Nicole Phillis
Partner
Nicole Phillis defends businesses and individuals in federal and state litigation, with experience in shareholder disputes, consumer class actions, and contractual claims in the media and entertainment industries. Nicole also defends companies in the food and beverage industries against consumer class actions for unfair competition and false advertising.
A former 9th Circuit law clerk for the Honorable Milan D. Smith Jr., Nicole has briefed copyright, unfair competition, and false advertising appeals before the 9th Circuit. Nicole has also consulted on 9th Circuit appeals regarding employment and discrimination-related disputes. Nicole is a member of DWT's food and beverage industry group, serves as the co-chair of Project W's "Women in Cannabis" initiative, and sits on the leadership committee for DWT's cannabis industry group, where her practice focuses on cannabis-related advertising, media, and speech issues.
In her civic and political life, Nicole is an elected official in Santa Monica, serving as a commissioner on the Santa Monica Rent Control Board. Nicole maintains an active pro bono practice, which she has devoted primarily to representing immigrants seeking lawful status in the United States.
Admitted to Practice
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California, 2013
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U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 2014
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U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 2014
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U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 2014
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U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 2014
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U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 2013
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U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 2014
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U.S. District Court Central District of California, 2013
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U.S. District Court Northern District of California, 2013
Education
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J.D., Emory University School of Law, 2010
- Charles Watkins Scholar
- Order of the Coif
- Executive Articles Editor, Emory Law Journal
- Top 10% Oralist, Spring 2008 Legal Writing Competition Oral Advocacy Award
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B.A., Political Science and Women's Studies, Providence College, 2007
- Valedictorian
- Forand Scholar
- Honors Thesis distinction in Political Science, focusing on comparative empirical analysis of Latin American state stability
- Liberal Arts Honors Program Certificate
Memberships & Affiliations
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- Vice-chair of Communications, Cannabis Section, Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Firm Representative and Committee Member (IP, HR & Insurance and Legislative), California Cannabis Industry Association, 2019
- Co-chair, Women in Cannabis, Project W, 2019
- Convener, 50th Assembly District Election Meeting (ADEM), California Democratic Party, 2017, 2019
- Delegate, California Democratic Party State Convention, 2017-present
- Commissioner (elected 2014, 2018), Former Chair, Santa Monica Rent Control Board, 2014-present
- Commissioner, Vice Chair, Former Chair (appointed), Santa Monica Commission on the Status of Women, 2013-2018
- Housing Committee Member, Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights, 2013-present
Background
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- Associate, TroyGould PC, Los Angeles, 2016-2017
- Associate, Kendall Brill & Kelly LLP, Los Angeles, 2014-2016
- Associate, Munger Tolles & Olson LLP, Los Angeles, 2012-2014
- Law Clerk, Hon. Milan D. Smith, Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, El Segundo, Calif., 2011-2012
- Associate, Summer Associate, Jones Day, Atlanta, 2009, 2010-2011
- Field Placement Extern, U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, Atlanta, 2010