Nicole’s prior experience in the government and nonprofit sectors has shaped her approach to the law as a powerful tool for collaboration, protection, and innovation. This perspective allows her to devise creative, practical solutions for her clients without losing sight of their mission or business goals. Nicole’s previous judicial clerkship at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in California also gives her unique insight into judicial decision-making and litigation strategy, which benefits her clients both inside and outside the courtroom. Nicole prides herself on passionately advocating for her clients and proactively working with them to cultivate productive, cooperative workplaces.
When she is not practicing law, Nicole enjoys exploring the Twin Cities food scene, spending time outdoors with her husband and Shih Tzu, and traveling the world.
Key Practice Experience
- FLSA/wage-and-hour defense
- Class and complex litigation strategy
- ERISA compliance, counseling, investigations and class litigation
- Discrimination/retaliation defense, including administrative agency charge responses
- Compliance with emerging wage theft laws, including the Minnesota and Minneapolis wage theft statutes
- Non-compete and trade secret litigation
- Compliance with California employment laws and regulations
- Leave of absence and disability defense
- Executive agreements and severance
Key Industry Experience
- Retail
- Technology
- Healthcare
- Nonprofit
- Manufacturing
Representative Matters
- On behalf of a national medical equipment management company, interviewed putative class members to develop comprehensive defense against statewide claims of California wage-and-hour violations. A settlement has been reached in this case and is pending court approval.
- Successfully obtained dismissal of administrative charge alleging disability discrimination, retaliation, and failure to accommodate on behalf of national insurance administrator.
- Counseled small business through successful termination of its Chief Financial Officer, with mutually agreeable severance terms and release of claims.
Recognitions & Honors
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Pathfinder, 2021
- Law Clerk to the Honorable Julia W. Brand, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California, 2015-2018
- Member of the Year, Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association, 2018-2019
Publications and Presentations
- “‘Give Me Dignity By Giving Me Death’: Using Balancing to Uphold Death Row Volunteers’ Dignity Interests Amidst Executive Clemency,” Southern California Review of Law and Social Justice, Volume 23, 2014
Professional Associations
- Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association
- Executive Board Member, 2019-2020
- Membership Committee and Women’s Committee, 2018-2019
- National Employment Law Council
- Academy Fellow, 2019
- National Filipino American Lawyers Association
Community Engagement
- Advocates for Human Rights
- Pro Bono Asylum Attorney, 2019-present
- University of St. Thomas School of Law Mentor Externship Program
- Mentor, 2019-present
- Twin Cities Diversity in Practice
- Resurrecting EEO-1 Component 2: California Mandates Pay Data Reporting by March 31
- NJL Nominates Talented Attorneys to The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD)
- California Employers: Internet Reimbursement for Home-bound Employees
- EEOC Issues Updated ADA Guidance Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
- Convenient Summary of Minnesota “Stay at Home” Executive Order 20-20
- Minneapolis Wage Theft Update: Sample Wage Notice & Updated Poster
- City of Minneapolis Releases FAQs and Rules for Wage Theft Prevention Ordinance
- Has the Dust Settled? Interpreting Minnesota’s New Wage Theft Law in the Face of Constantly-Changing DOLI Guidance
- Minneapolis Employers: Here Are Your New Obligations Under the City’s Wage Theft Ordinance
- Minneapolis Passes Wage Theft Ordinance
- Minnesota DOLI Once Again Updates Wage Theft Q&A
- Minnesota DOLI Updates FAQs and Wage Theft Notice Example
- Minnesota DOLI Releases FAQ and Wage Notice Example for New Wage Theft Law
- Minnesota Enacts Sweeping Revisions to Wage-and-Hour Laws to Combat Wage Theft
- Nilan Johnson Lewis Welcomes Nicole Dailo