
Nicole A. Legrottaglie
Partner
About Nicole
Representing employers and management in labor and employment matters in California state and federal courts, Nicole A. Legrottaglie aggressively defends her clients in a broad range of employment claims, with a particular focus on single plaintiff matters, high-stakes class actions, PAGA representative actions, and complex wage and hour litigation. She regularly defends employers facing substantial financial exposure, reputational risk, and procedurally complex litigation. Nicole brings a strategic and tactical approach to class action defense, employing early case evaluations, aggressive motion practice, and settlement positioning to protect her clients’ interests and control litigation costs.
In addition to her employment litigation practice, Legrottaglie has significant experience in traditional labor law. She has effectively represented management in union disputes and has successfully handled unfair labor practice charges and administrative hearings before the National Labor Relations Board. Her labor work includes union grievances, labor arbitrations, and advising both unionized and non-unionized employers on collective bargaining, labor relations, and union avoidance strategies. Nicole has a strong track record in arbitration proceedings, where she has successfully defended clients before arbitrators on a range of labor and employment matters.
Nicole is a skilled litigator who has drafted and argued numerous motions and briefs—from discovery to complex dispositive motions—in both state and federal court. She has taken a significant number of depositions, prepared key witnesses, conducted internal investigations, managed pre-trial matters, and resolved disputes through negotiation and mediation.
Beyond litigation, Nicole provides preventive advice and compliance counseling to employers of all sizes. She regularly advises on wage and hour compliance, workplace policies, disciplinary decisions, terminations, and strategies to prevent discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Her practical, business-focused guidance makes her a trusted resource for employers navigating California’s evolving employment landscape.
Areas of Practice
- Wrongful Termination and Workplace Tort Litigation
- EEO Litigation
- Workplace Solutions, Advice and Training
- Class Actions
- PAGA Litigation
- Wage and Hour Issues
- Traditional Labor Law Unions and the NLRB
- Internal Investigations
Education
University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, J.D., 2010
- Junior Barristers Club, Vice President, 2008–2010
Manhattan College, B.A., Government and Legal Studies, 2007
Publications
Presentations
New California Employment Laws and Developments for 2025
New California Employment Laws and Developments for 2022
New California Laws and Developments the Hotel Industry Should Know
New California Laws and Developments
Return to the Workplace - A Comprehensive Review of What California Employers Need to Know
New Laws for 2019
Key Developments from 2017 and Tips to Prepare for 2018
New Laws for 2016
Employee Termination & Resignation: Managing Final Pay Issues and Knowing Employers' Rights and Obligations When the Employment Relationship Ends
Managing and Addressing Employee Performance in A Post-Complaint Workplace
Steps Employers Can Take To Be Prepared To Respond to Administrative Agency Complaints and Lawsuits
Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
AB 1825 Harassment Training
Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
Employee Termination & Resignation: Managing Final Pay Issues and Knowing Employers' Rights and Obligations When the Employment Relationship Ends
Written Opinions
Medic Ambulance Service, 370 NLRB No. 65 (2021)
Recognitions
ProVisors, 2022 - present
Listed, Best Lawyers®, Employment Law (Management) and Litigation (Labor & Employment), Sacramento, CA, 2022 - 2024
Wage and Hour Defense Institute (WHDI), Northern California Representative, 2018 - 2022
American Bar Association, Section of Labor and Employment Law - Employment Rights and Responsibilities Committee, 2014 - present
Sacramento County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section, 2010 - present
Women Lawyers of Sacramento, 2011 - 2021