Nicole Rodriguez Van Dyk

Litigation

Los Angeles

Nicole Rodriguez Van Dyk is a seasoned litigator who has been practicing law since 2008. Her journey into the legal field began as an argumentative child, often told she "should be a lawyer," a suggestion that resonated and stuck with her.

"Looking at my choice more deeply, however, I have always enjoyed telling a story, marshalling evidence, and sticking up for people -- and that passion did not dissipate through the years," she said.

She has amassed extensive litigation and trial experience advising clients as they navigate the unique challenges of parallel criminal, civil and regulatory proceedings.

In one recent matter, Van Dyk achieved the complete dismissal of charges for a client after a multi-year process of showing the court through a series of evidentiary hearings that the government had extensively invaded the client's attorney-client privilege and thereby violated the right to counsel and due process. People v. Ahmed, et al., 16CF1351 (O.C. Sup. Ct., filed June 20, 2016).

Kareem Ahmed was the lead defendant in a 17-defendant, $300 million healthcare fraud prosecution in Orange County.

"The result in that case was a testament to using systematic investigation to construct piece by piece what the government had done, which documents it had reviewed, and ultimately presenting the narrative in a persuasive way," Van Dyk said.

In another significant matter, Van Dyk played a pivotal role in the U.S. Private Vaults cases, where she fought for the rights of over 30 individuals against unlawful seizures and searches by the FBI.

After seizing and searching the property under the pretext of an inventory search, the government sought to forfeit the property of our clients and many more innocent people who had rented boxes to store property -- including many who had stored their life savings and family heirlooms.

"I am proud that we were able to challenge the process and help so many people stand up for their rights," Van Dyk said.