Meet the Team
Other Team Members
Nicole Castronovo
Associate
Nicole Castronovo was admitted to the California State Bar in May of 2017, and has
been admitted to the United States District Court, Central District, Northern District
and Eastern District. Ms. Castronovo is a graduate of California State University,
Northridge and Western State College of Law.
Background
From 2005 to 2012, Ms. Castronovo worked as a paralegal in the practice areas of civil
defense and criminal defense. In 2013, Ms. Castronovo began law school during
which time she clerked at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office in the Gang
and Homicide Units. After law school, Ms. Castronovo joined the firm of Rains Lucia
Stern St. Phalle & Silver where her practice included criminal defense, civil litigation,
administrative hearings, responding to critical incidents, and labor grievances with
an emphasis on representing peace officers and firefighters. Ms. Castronovo was
actively involved in a number of high-profile cases, with allegations ranging from
excessive force, perjury, falsification of field identification cards, and manslaughter.
In August 2023, Ms. Castronovo joined the firm of Seki Nishimura & Watase, LLP. Ms. Castronovo continues to concentrate her practice in the areas of criminal defense
and administrative hearings with an emphasis on law enforcement.
Practice areas
Currently Ms. Castronovo’s practice areas focus on her expertise in criminal defense
and representation of first responders in administrative discipline proceedings. Ms.
Castronovo also regularly lectures to law enforcement organizations regarding legal
issues.
Results
Ms. Castronovo has personally litigated multiple civil cases to settlement with
awards in excess of $1,000,000. In 2019, Ms. Castronovo had one of the top ten
personal injury verdicts in the state of California after reaching a settlement of
$4,750,000.00.
Nicole’s most recent trial resulted in a hung jury 10-2 in favor of acquittal for her client
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.
Nicole is regularly sought out for legal commentary including features on Newsmax,
Fox 11 and Epoch Times.
Professional Affiliations
N/A
Awards
While obtaining her undergraduate degree, Ms. Castronovo 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 where she participated in law review as
well as the mock trial team. Ms. Castronovo is also the recipient of the Wallace R.
Davis Public Service Award for her community volunteer work.
Ms. Castronovo has been selected by Superlawyers as a Rising Star. Rising Stars is a
designation of top-rated practicing attorneys selected through extensive evaluation.
She was awarded this distinction for 2020 – 2023.