Nicole co-leads the ElevateNext business, which provides the practice of law capability for Elevate, and co-founded ElevateNext Law LLP, which is is certified as a Women's Business Enterprise by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council. ElevateNext focuses on business as usual portfolios -- run the company, not bet the company matters, blending high-quality legal expertise with people/process/technology to significantly lower legal spend and substantially increase efficiency, without compromising outcomes. Nicole is nationally known as an innovator in the legal industry, having founded Valorem Law Group in 2008 to pioneer the alternative fee movement. Valorem was named “One of the 22 Best Firms at AFAs” by BTI Consulting in 2016. Prior to forming Valorem, Nicole practiced for 15 years at an AmLaw 100 firm in Chicago, where she was a partner in the litigation department. She represents clients in federal and state courts and in arbitrations across the country. She was named a “2019 Notable Gen X Leader in Law” by Crain’s Chicago Business Magazine. In 2017, Nicole was named one of the “Most Influential Women Attorneys in Chicago” by Crain’s Publishing. Nicole was previously named “One of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Illinois” by Illinois SuperLawyers and one of “Forty Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch” by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company. Nicole is a certified arbitrator through the American Arbitration Association. She is also a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management.