Lisa Nicolls’ practice focuses on all aspects of general civil litigation with an emphasis on construction and business law, which includes the representation of contractors, subcontractors, developers, owners and design professionals. Lisa’s construction practice includes, but is not limited to, contract drafting, bid protests, contractor licensing issues, and prosecution and defense of claims for payment (including stop notices, mechanics liens, and payment bond claims) and for extra work, delays, and loss of productivity. Lisa has successfully handled numerous complex construction disputes and has extensive experience in mediation, arbitration and trial of such matters.
Lisa received her B.S., with honors, in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, in 2000 and was awarded her J.D. in 2004 from the University of California, Davis. Lisa is listed in the 2013 through 2024 editions of Northern California Super Lawyers and in Sacramento/Sactown Magazine’s Top Lawyers List 2015 through 2020 for excellence in construction litigation and in 2022 and 2024 for excellence in construction law.
Education
- University of California, Davis School of Law
J.D., 2004 - University of California, Davis
B.S., with honors, 2000
Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior
Admissions
- State Bar of California
- United States District Courts for the Eastern, Northern and Central Districts of California
Leadership
- President, Board of Directors, Region Business (2021)
- Member, Board of Directors, Region Business (2015 to present)
- Member, Board of Directors, Association of General Contractors Delta Sierra District (2019 to present)
- Member, Board of Directors, National Association of Women in Construction, Sacramento Chapter (2019 to present)
- Member, Board of Directors, Placer County Contractors Association (2014, 2015)
- Member, Board of Directors, North State BIA Associates Council (2014, 2015)
- Member, Board of Directors, El Dorado Builders’ Exchange (2012, 2013)
- Team Captain, Relay For Life of Natomas (2009, 2010, 2012)
- Fight Back Chair, Relay For Life of Natomas (2010)
- Graduate, Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce Leadership Sacramento Program (2010)
- Volunteer Judge, National Ethics Trial Competition, Sacramento (2008)
Memberships
- Region Business
- Associated General Contractors of California
- National Association of Women in Construction
- Placer County Contractors Association
- Sacramento County Bar Association, Construction Law Section
Speaking Engagements
- Speaker, “Breaking the Glass Ceiling Panel,” HER Women’s Conference, Folsom, CA (November 17, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, “Supply Chain Woes: Contract Considerations, Claims, & Risk Management Strategies,” Zoom Webinar (June 10, 2021)
- Speaker, “2019 Legislative Update: Recent Changes and Beyond,” National Association of Women in Construction (2019)
- Speaker, “Public Works Bid Protests: What We Can Learn From Recent Years,” Associated General Contractors of California Fall Conference (2017)
- Panelist, “Construction Lien Law in California,” Lorman Education Services (2014)
- Speaker, “Legal Update: Critical Changes That Could Cost You Your Money Or Your Freedom,” Placer County Contractors Association, Roseville (2013)
- Speaker, “Understanding Contract Provisions,” El Dorado Builders’ Exchange, (2012); Placer County Contractors Association, Roseville (2013); Valley Contractors Exchange, Chico (2013)
- Speaker, “Mechanic’s Liens and Related Remedies”: Valley Contractors Exchange, Marysville (2011), Chico (2013) and Oroville (2015); El Dorado Builders’ Exchange, Cameron Park (2011); Placer County Contractors Association, Roseville (2011); Yuba City (2012); Placerville (2012)
- Panelist, “California Public Works/Construction Contracts from Bidding to Completion,” Lorman Education Services (2008-2009)
Publications
- “Meet the New Requirements for Contractors Under AB 830,” Co-author (January 2022)
- “Construction Update: California Warns Act Quickly Against Unlicensed Contractors,” Co-author (July 2021)
- “AB 1701: The New Law that Expands Prime Contractor Liability for Subcontractor Wage Payment Issues,” Co-author, Placer County Contractors Association (January 2018)
- “Legal Update: More Risks to General Contractors who Hire Unlicensed Subcontractors,” Co-author, Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange Construction Quarterly (October 2013)
- “Legal Update: Under new laws effective January 1, 2012, when can a public entity withhold retention of greater than 5% and should it exercise its right to do so?,” Co-author (January 2012)
- “Legal Alert: New Legislation Signed By Governor Brown Affecting Prime Contractors, Subcontractors, Suppliers and Public and Private Owners,” Co-author (November 2011)
- “The Preliminary 20-Day Notice: What You Need to Know about One of the Most Important Forms Out There,” Co-author, (September 2011)
- “Advice to Contractors During Difficult Times: Zealously Protect Your Collection Rights by Using the Proper Forms and Heeding Deadlines,” Co-author (August 2011)
- “Think You are Properly Licensed? Think Again! A Common Situation in which a Contractor is Not Properly Licensed and the Severe Consequences that Can Result,” Co-author (July 2011)
- “Caution: Oral Change Orders on Public Projects are Usually Not Enforceable,” Co-author (June 2011)
- “Unconditional Waivers and Releases upon Payment: How To Avoid Waiving Your Rights When an Owner or Prime Contractor Demands One before Payment is Made,” Co-author (May 2011)
- “California’s Mechanic’s Lien Laws,” Co-author (April 2011)
- Listed as a Super Lawyer in Northern California Super Lawyers, Construction Litigation (2013-2024)
- Fellow, Construction Lawyers Society of America
- Named in Sacramento/Sactown Magazine’s Top Lawyers List, Construction Law (2022-2024)
- Named in Sacramento/Sactown Magazine’s Top Lawyers List, Construction Litigation (2015-2020)
- Nonprofit Resource Center, Look of Success Business Award Recipient (2010)
