Cheryl Nicolson founded the firm on a simple principle; to serve clients in only the areas where we have substantial experience and provide legal service that is better and more cost-effective than that provided by our competitors. While an alumna of both large and mid-sized national and regional law firms, Ms. Nicolson decided she could best deliver outstanding, focused service to clients in a more cost-effective manner, by starting her own firm with hand-picked, top-notch lawyers who share her professional values and commitment to client service.
The firm is delivering on that commitment to client service by aggressively focusing on two fronts. First, we believe we are never too experienced to learn something new. We keep abreast of legal and technological developments, constantly on the look-out for creative applications that provide our clients with strategic legal advantages and better service. Second, we control overhead and costs. This allows us to control rates, resulting in more cost-effective service for our clients.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.”
Maya Angelou
(American poet and World Renaissance Woman, b.1928)
As an emerging woman-owned law firm, Nicolson Associates is sensitive to diversity issues both within the firm and in the communities we serve nationwide. Recognizing that a diversity of ideas, backgrounds and experiences promotes an inclusive culture, Nicolson Associates endeavors to recruit, hire, promote and retain—on the basis of demonstrative initiative and talent—individuals representing diverse backgrounds without regard to race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or national origin.
At Nicolson Associates, we understand the lifestyle issues our attorneys and staff members face and we have adopted flexible work schedules in appropriate cases. By understanding the many roles our attorneys and staff fulfill each day (e.g., professional, parent, child, sibling, coach, volunteer, etc.), we have developed a workplace culture that allows our attorneys and staff to excel in all of these roles.
We also participate in various pro bono and community service activities. Nicolson Associates is a proud supporter of the Advancing Civics Education (A.C.E.) program sponsored by the Philadelphia Bar Association and the School District of Philadelphia. The A.C.E. program is designed to enhance 9th grade World History curriculum in public high schools throughout Philadelphia. Teams of judges and lawyers volunteer their time to lead the in-class interactive activities which are designed to encourage students to be active and responsible citizens by helping them to think critically about themselves and the world around them. In addition, one of our attorneys has volunteered as a camp counselor with Camp Dost, a pediatric oncology camp in Millville, Pennsylvania since 1996. This year, she is serving as the Assistant Director.
As we grow, our vision for the future is to continue to promote diversity in our workplace and in the communities which we serve. In addition, our vision for the future includes efforts to develop a diverse service/supplier base by partnering with certified minority and women owned service providers. At Nicolson Associates we recognize that diversity fosters a positive and creative environment that attracts talented individuals, encourages our attorneys and staff to maximize their potential and enhances our ability to respond quickly and cost effectively with creative solutions to the evolving and changing needs of our clients.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT OF POLICY
Nicolson Associates is an equal employment opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We want to have the best and most talented available people in every job. The Firm’s policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition including genetic characteristics, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or any other condition deemed unlawful by federal, state or local laws. It also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having those characteristics.
Nicolson Associates’ policy of nondiscrimination applies to all personnel and employment practices, including: hiring, promotion, transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising, layoff or termination, compensation, benefits, performance management, selection for training, educational programs, and other similar employment decisions.
Nicolson Associates is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in the Firm’s operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of the Firm.