Who I Am

My name is Nicole A. Davidson. I am an attorney licensed in California and Florida. Since 2003, I have dedicated my practice to trusts & estates. I help people like yourself create, implement, and maintain a comprehensive estate plan. When the time comes to administer your trust and/or estate, I am available to guide your selected decision-maker through the process of collecting your assets, settling your debts, and distributing your remaining property to your intended beneficiaries, in accordance with your wishes. Similarly, if you find yourself designated as fiduciary of a trust and/or estate, I can help you interpret your responsibilities and navigate the settlement process.

I am not your typical lawyer. First, I am a good listener. I will help you identify and understand your options so that you can make an informed decision. Second, I personally return phone calls and emails in a timely manner. You will never be handed over to an underling who lacks experience. You can count on me to answer your questions and address your concerns in plain English. I will keep you apprised of developments and outstanding action items. Third, if I don’t have the expertise you need and deserve, I will be candid with you. If I can, I will help you make the right connection. When we enter an attorney-client relationship, you can trust that I will my honor my ethical duties: Loyalty, care, confidentiality, and zealous representation.

These responsibilities are so inherent that, just a year out of law school, I could not turn down the opportunity to hang my own shingle. At the time, I was billing countless, thankless hours at an environmental litigation firm. Over a rare lunch outside the office, some friends shared their trusts & estates horror stories: Incompetent and unresponsive attorneys soliciting improper gifts, stealing clients, and even absconding with client funds! Confident in my moral compass and technical skills, I spent the next three months holed up in the law library, interviewed other attorneys, and took every available trusts & estates continuing education course. Back then, the estate tax exemption was a mere $1 million. I started small, preparing estate plans for young families in the evenings and on weekends. I kept my day job, just in case. Within a couple years, I gained the education and experience necessary to design and implement more complex estate plans. I learned how to administer trusts and probate estates. For my business clients, I prepared succession plans and formed entities as a means of asset protection. Most importantly, I built a sustainable, referral-based practice that allowed me to exit litigation, start a family, and live a meaningful life.

Education

  • University of San Diego, School of Law, J.D., Emphasis in Tax Law, 2001
  • Eckerd College, B.S., Psychology, With High Honors, 1999

Experience

  • Law Office of Nicole A. Davidson, Attorney/Owner, March 2003 – Present
  • LexisNexis, Expert Author, Oct. 2012 – Sept. 2023
  • The Arnold Law Practice, Associate Attorney, Feb. 2004 – Nov. 2004
  • Envision Law Group, Contract Attorney, May 2002 – Feb. 2004
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, Judicial Extern, The Honorable Thomas Whelan, Aug. 2001 – Dec. 2001
  • San Diego District Attorney’s Office, Certified Law Clerk, Preliminary Examination Division, June 2001 – Aug. 2001
  • University of San Diego School of Law, Director, Pro Bono Legal Advocates, Aug. 2000 – May 2001
  • San Diego Mediation Center, Volunteer Mediator, Aug. 2000 – May 2001
  • University of San Diego Tax Clinic, Taxpayer Advocate, Aug. 2000 – Dec. 2001
  • University of San Diego, School of Law, Teaching Assistant for Property and Lawyering Skills I, Aug. 2000 – May 2001
  • University of San Diego, School of Law, Restraining Order Clinic Volunteer, Aug. 1999 – May 2000
  • Trial Practices, Inc. (a trial consultancy firm), Summer Intern, 1999

Awards

  • Member, San Diego Law Review
  • Publication: Internet Gambling: Should Fantasy Sport Leagues Be Prohibited?, 39 SAN DIEGO L. REV. 281-347 (2002)
  • Alec Cory Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service
  • Highest Grade in Class, Biotechnology Law
  • Honors Grade, Lawyering Skills I and II

Community Service

  • Rancho Romero PTA, Executive Board Member, 2015 – 2017
  • San Ramon Valley Little League, Head Coach, 2014 – 2017
  • Diablo Valley College Foundation, Board Member, 2007 – 2008
  • Contra Costa County Bar Association, President Solo & Small Practice Section, 2005 – 2007

Professional Memberships

  • American Bar Association’s Real Property, Probate & Trust Section
  • California Lawyer Association’s Trusts & Estates Section
  • California State Bar
  • Florida State Bar