Bio
Leveraging her background in languages and linguistics, Allison Nichols helps clients find their voice. By distilling complex concepts and legal jargon into plain English, Allison presents compelling arguments cleanly, efficiently, and powerfully. Clients and colleagues alike value her skills as a cohesive writer, effective editor, and self-proclaimed “writing nerd”—just don’t get her started on the Oxford comma.
The loudest voice is rarely the most effective. Allison should know—she spent two years clerking for a federal district judge. During her tenure, the court handled more than a dozen trials and four Ninth Circuit sittings (by designation), as well as numerous dispositive motions, temporary restraining orders, and class action enforcement issues. In other words, Allison knows what works and what doesn’t in the courtroom. Known for exhibiting “grace under fire,” she relies on her calm, matter-of-fact, and always prepared demeanor to achieve results for her clients.
Allison enjoys being a generalist, but she currently focuses her practice on class actions, complex commercial litigation, and white collar defense and investigations.
Experience
Clerkships
Hon. Jack Zouhary, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (2016-2018)Credentials
Education
University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 2013, cum laude
Georgetown University, B.A., French & Government, 2010, magna cum laude
Al-Akhawayn University, Ifrane, Morocco, Summer 2009
Institut d’Etudes Politiques, Paris, France, Spring 2009
Bar Admissions
Illinois
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
Professional Memberships
American Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
Languages Spoken & Fluency
French, ProficientArabic, Basic
Publications & Presentations
Community Service
Allison feels an ethical obligation to use her professional skills for public service. She undertakes a wide variety of pro bono representations, ranging from prisoners in Section 1983 cases to minors in child welfare and private custody disputes. She also assists in enforcing a consent decree on behalf of a class of children in foster care in Illinois (co-counsel with the ACLU).
Beyond the legal arena, Allison is a proud mentor (of a recent high school graduate!) with LINK Unlimited Scholars. She also serves on the Young Professionals Board of Cathedral Counseling Center, a member agency of Episcopal Charities and Community Services.