Nicole R. Castronovo is an associate in the Rains Lucia Stern St. Phalle & Silver, PC (“RLS”) Legal Defense Practice Group. She represents peace officers in criminal investigations and prosecutions, administrative investigations, disciplinary appeals, and also responds to critical incidents. Nicole has experience as a civil litigator in a variety of areas. She has personally litigated multiple cases to settlement with awards in excess of $1,000,000.

Nicole’s most recent trial resulted in a hung jury 10-2 in favor of acquittal of a former CHP officer who was charged with vehicular manslaughter. The officer was too injured to return to work. The prosecution decided not to retry the case. Another recent victory includes the full acquittal of the first law enforcement officer to be charged in Los Angeles County with manslaughter in twenty years for an on-duty shooting.

Prior to joining RLS, Nicole clerked at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office in its Gang and Homicide Units, and spent several years working at a criminal defense firm in the Los Angeles area.

Nicole received a Bachelor of Arts in History from California State University Northridge. While obtaining her undergraduate degree, she was the recipient of a Telly Award, Addy Award and a Student Emmy Award. Nicole graduated Magna Cum Laude from Western State College of Law. At Western State, Nicole served as the President of the Public Service Committee and Vice President of the Student Bar Association. Nicole was a board member of the Law Review and a member of the mock trial competition team.

Disclaimer: Any results set forth herein are based upon the facts of that particular case and do not represent a promise or guarantee.