Overview
Nicole's practice is focused primarily on labour and employment; however she also does investigations and advises clients on administrative law and regulatory matters. Thanks to her previous experience as in house counsel, business and industrial experience, and creative problem-solving style, Nicole is a trusted advisor to clients from a broad range of sectors including forest products, transportation, manufacturing, agribusiness and food production, retail, universities and health authorities.
Nicole also has many years of experience sitting on corporate and not-for-profit boards, and regularly advises boards on matters relating to corporate governance, board and senior leadership assessment and renewal, and fiduciary obligations of officers and directors. She is the former managing partner of Miller Thomson’s Vancouver office and member of the firm’s Executive Committee.
Nicole has been named in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory of leading lawyers for Employment Law, and recognized in Best Lawyers in Canada for Employment Law and Corporate Governance. She has been a speaker and author on various topics for the BC Law Society, Canadian Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education Society, Canadian Association of Counsel for Employers (CACE), and Chartered Professionals in Human Resources, BC & Yukon. She was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2013.
Professional achievements & leadership
- Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Employment Law, 2019
- The Best Lawyers in Canada, Corporate Governance Practice, 2016-2021; Labour and Employment Law, 2020 – 2021
- Queen’s Counsel, 2013
- President’s Award–Teck Resources Ltd., 1997
- Past-Chair, Miller Thomson LLP’s Inclusion and Diversity Committee, and BC representative for Law Society’s Justicia Project, and Law Firm Diversity & Inclusion Network
- The Minerva Foundation for BC Women Board of Directors, 2017-present
- Vancouver Board of Trade: Women Leadership Circle Advisory Council, 2012-2014; Co-Vice-Chair, 2013-2014
- CBA, National Women Lawyers Forum — 2015 Leadership Conference Organizing Committee, 2014-2015
- CBA, BC Branch, Women Lawyers Forum Executive, Chair, 2012-2014; member, 2009-2016
- UBC Investment Management Trust Inc., Board of Directors, 2005-2009
- British Columbia Transmission Corporation, Board of Directors, 2003-2007
- UBC Board of Governors, 2002-2008
Thought leadership
- Author, “Corporate Governance” (Chapter 33A), Due Diligence Deskbook, Continuing Legal Education, 2006 – 2019 editions
- Co-author, chapter on BC Law and Practice, How to Hire and Fire in 99 Jurisdictions, Multilaw, 2013 edition
- Past contributor on labour, employment and diversity issues in: CBA, BC’s Bar Talk, Metro Vancouver Board of Trade’s Sounding Board, The Lawyers Weekly, Continuing Legal Education, BC, Miller Thomson’s Labour & Employment Communique and Blog.
Community involvement
- The Minerva Foundation for BC Women Board of Directors, 2017-present
- UBC Alumni Chancellor Search Committee, 2014-2015
- Ethno BC, Business Council of British Columbia, 2014-2015
- CBA, National Women Lawyers Forum — 2015 Leadership Conference Organizing Committee, 2014-2015
- CBA, BC Branch, Women Lawyers Forum Executive, Chair, 2012-2014; member, 2009-2016
- Vancouver Board of Trade: Women Leadership Circle Advisory Council, 2012-2014; Co-Vice-Chair, 2013-2014
- UBC President’s Strategic Advisory Council, 2007-2013
- UBC Investment Management Trust Inc., Board of Directors, 2005-2009
- British Columbia Transmission Corporation, Board of Directors, 2003-2007
- UBC Board of Governors, 2002-2008
Professional memberships
- Chartered Professionals in Human Resources, BC & Yukon
- Canadian Association of Counsel for Employers (“CACE”)
Bar admissions & education
- British Columbia Bar, 1983
- LL.B., University of British Columbia, 1982
- Executive Program, Richard Ivey School of Business, 1995
- Mediating Disputes, Program on Negotiation, Harvard Law School, October 2020
