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

Presentations

Co-Presenter, CDF Webinar Series, November 2024

New California Employment Laws and Developments for 2025

Co-Presenter, CDF Webinar Series, November 2021

New California Employment Laws and Developments for 2022

Co-Presenter, Sacramento Hotel Association, March 2021

New California Laws and Developments the Hotel Industry Should Know

Women Presidents' Organization, January 2021

New California Laws and Developments

Co-Presenter, CDF Webinar, June 2020

Return to the Workplace - A Comprehensive Review of What California Employers Need to Know

Sacramento Hotel Association, January 2019

New Laws for 2019

Sacramento Hotel Association, December 2017

Key Developments from 2017 and Tips to Prepare for 2018

Sacramento Hotel Association, December 2016

New Laws for 2016

BLR, February 2016

Employee Termination & Resignation: Managing Final Pay Issues and Knowing Employers' Rights and Obligations When the Employment Relationship Ends

SEAC, August 2015

Managing and Addressing Employee Performance in A Post-Complaint Workplace

SEAC, August 2015

Steps Employers Can Take To Be Prepared To Respond to Administrative Agency Complaints and Lawsuits

CDF Client On-Site Training, May 2014

Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

California Employer Advisor™ Webinar, October 2013

AB 1825 Harassment Training

CDF Client On-Site Training, May 2013

Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

Business & Legal Resources (BLR®), April 2013

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

Why CDF

Our clients can rest assured that our attorneys will protect their time, protect their dime and protect their peace of mind, so they can focus on maintaining productive and rewarding workplaces to remain competitive and successful in their marketplace. CDF - Attorneys you can Trust. Experience you can Trust. Results you can Trust.

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