Nicole S. Frank
Senior Counsel
Overview
Nicole Frank is an experienced trial and appellate attorney. Nicole’s practice encompasses a variety of complex commercial and financial litigation, appellate practice, and legal ethics. Nicole’s past clients range from Fortune 100 corporations facing significant exposure, to start-ups reimagining an industry, to individuals pursuing human rights. Most recently, Nicole worked as a senior litigator at the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility. In that capacity, she investigated and prosecuted complex, high-level lawyer discipline cases. Nicole has briefed and argued several complex attorney discipline cases before the Minnesota Supreme Court. Her current focus spans a variety of industries and practice areas including professional responsibility, commercial litigation, appellate practice, construction, employment, and insurance defense.
Prior to entering private practice, Ms. Frank served as a law clerk of the Minnesota Court of Appeals. During her clerkship, she gained insight into how to effectively frame legal issues on appeal to focus the analysis and argue persuasively. As former language arts teacher, Nicole enjoys the challenge of presenting complex issues in a clear manner. Nicole enjoys providing pro bono legal services to individuals and nonprofits including on issues related to civil rights, environmental law, and immigration. Nicole is an arts and humanities enthusiast. She enjoys walking her Golden Retriever around the area lakes.
Education & Admissions
Education
- University of St. Thomas School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2008
Law Journal, Publications Editor - University of Minnesota, Post-Baccalaureate Licensure Program, Secondary English Education
- University of Minnesota, B.A., French Studies and English
Bar Admissions
- State of Minnesota
- State of North Dakota
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Supreme Court of the United States
Professional & Civic
Minnesota State Bar Association, Member
North Dakota State Bar Association, Member
National Association of Bar Counsel, 2018-2023
Accolades
- Pro Bono Award, Robins Kaplan LLP, 2015
- Minnesota State Bar Association North Star Lawyer for pro bono service, 2013-2015
- Conservation Award (Team of Attorneys), Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, 2011
Publications
Seminars
- Frequent public speaker to local bar sections and professional organizations on legal ethics, lawyer discipline, and professionalism
- Ethics du Jour: (1) the Perils of Dishonesty; and (2) Assessing When to Withdraw, 20th District Ethics Committee Annual Meeting (July 27, 2022)
- Counselor at Law: Ethical Considerations for Lawyers Whose Clients Have Increased Stress and Mental Health Challenges, Anoka County Bar Association (Co-presenter) (January 12, 2022)
- 2020 in Review – An update on ethics, Minnesota State Bar Association, Tax Section (March 24, 2021)
- Ethical Considerations and Stress in Non-Traditional Legal Roles, Minnesota CLE (Co-presenter) (July 30, 2020)
- Ethics for the Trial Lawyer, Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, 2019 Trial Techniques Seminar (August 17, 2019)
- Should I Stay or Should I Go? Conflicts of Interest and Withdrawing from Representation, 20th District Ethics Committee Annual Meeting (June 24, 2019)
- Appellate Practice: The Ethical Implications of Technology on Appeal, Minnesota CLE (Co-presenter) (March 8, 2019)
