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Nicole R. Kardassakis has joined Payne & Fears LLP as an associate attorney. She will practice within the Employment Law Group and will be based in the firm’s Los Angeles office.
Nicole is skilled in defending employers in all stages of employment actions, including discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, Private Attorneys General Act (“PAGA”) claims, wage-and-hour claims, and Department of Fair Employment and Housing (“DFEH”) charges.
“We are so pleased for Nicole Kardassakis to join the Payne & Fears Employment Law Group,” said Amy R. Patton, Co-Chair of Payne & Fears’ Employment Law Practice Group. “She joins us with six years of experience and will add depth to our Employment Law practice and to our or Los Angeles office.”
Nicole comes to Payne & Fears after working as an associate with Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith LLP, where she handled matters on behalf of corporate and insurance clients. While there, Nicole established an attorney mentoring program and pro bono partnership in the Los Angeles office.
Nicole graduated cum laude from Cornell University, and earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School. At Harvard Law, Nicole served as Managing Editor of Harvard Law & Policy Review and assisted with article selection for the Harvard Human Rights Journal. She received the Dean’s Scholar Award in the American Jury course.
Get to know Nicole . . .
What activities do you enjoy outside of work?
Soaking up the sun on a run or bike ride, trying a new recipe, reading a good book, catching up with friends, and quiet moments with my cats.
Why did you join Payne & Fears LLP?
Even before I interviewed, I knew that Payne & Fears is a highly regarded firm with an exceptional reputation. During the interview process, I was impressed by how welcoming and kind the attorneys and staff were. This combination made joining Payne & Fears an easy decision!
People would be surprised if they knew . . .
I have a bit of a green thumb, which means I have somehow ended up with a number of “rescue” orchids from friends and family.