Overview
Nicole Atkinson is a litigation shareholder who co-leads Gunster's Professional Liability Defense group. She also co-chairs the firm's Women's Leadership Forum and serves on the firm's Associate Compensation & Retention Committee. Nicole represents clients in a variety of litigation and estate and trust matters. She has a broad range of experience at the trial and appellate levels in federal and state courts throughout the country. Her practice includes defending accountants and lawyers in professional liability cases, handling complex business litigation matters, contract disputes, real estate disputes, product liability litigation, intellectual property litigation and estate and trust litigation. Nicole has been recognized by Chambers USA in general commercial litigation, and by The Best Lawyers in America® in commercial litigation, real estate litigation, and estate and trust litigation.
In addition to her active law practice, Nicole is a leader in the firm and the community. She is active in the Palm Beach County Bar's Judicial Relations Committee, formerly chairing the committee, and also serves on the Professionalism Committee. Additionally, she co-chairs the board of the Women's Foundation of Florida, serves on the Palm Beach United Way Allocation Committee and serves as Vice President of the Palm Beach Hospice Foundation.
Honors
- Florida Trend, "Legal Elite Notable - Women Leaders in Law," 2023
- Chambers & Partners, Litigation: General Commercial, 2023-24
- The Best Lawyers in America®
- Commercial Litigation, 2011-25
- Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants, 2025
- Real Estate Litigation, 2011-22
- Trusts & Estates Litigation, 2011-22
- South Florida Business & Wealth (SFBW), Prestigious Women Awards, 2024
- Palm Beach Illustrated, "Top Lawyers"
- Business Litigation, 2018, 2020, 2024
- Legal Malpractice Law, 2021-23
- Jupiter Magazine, “Top Lawyers”, Legal Malpractice Law, 2021, 2023
- Florida Super Lawyers, “Rising Star,” 2009, 2011-13
- AV Rated as independently determined by Martindale-Hubbell
- Highest score on the Florida Bar Examination, Fourth DCA, February 1999
News & Insights
- “How Social Media Concerns Apply to Corporate Counsel,” Association of Corporate Counsel of America Seminar, 2014
- “Malpractice and Related Issues,” Lorman Education Services
- “Arguing Preemption in the 11th Circuit Post-Levine,” Product Liability Law 360, September 15, 2009
- “Challenging Expert Witness Testimony in Florida Products Liability Cases Under Frye,” Florida Bar Journal, 2007
Speaking Engagements
Publications
Involvement
Professional Associations & Memberships
- Women's Foundation of Florida, Raise the Bar 2022, Board Chair
- Women’s Foundation of Palm Beach County, Board of Directors
- Palm Beach County Bar Association
- Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County, Professionalism Panel Member, 2013-14
- Professionalism Committee, 2013-14
- Judicial Relations Committee
- Chair, 2012-13
- Co-Chair, 2011-12
- Corporate Counsel Committee, 2010-12
- Judicial Spokesperson Sub-Committee, Chair, 2010-11
- Craig S. Barnard, American Inn of Court LIV, Board of Trustees, 2010-11
- Defense Research Institute: Drug and Medical Device Committee and Product Liability Committee
- Florida Association for Women Lawyers
Civic & Community Service
- Hospice Foundation of Palm Beach County, Palm Beach Membership, Vice President of the Board, 2010-16
- Town of Palm Beach United Way
- Board of Trustees, 2013-16
- Allocation Committee, 2003-16
- Women’s Foundation of Florida, Raise the Bar Event
- Co-Chair, 2011-22
- Committee Member, 2023-present
Education
- University of Florida College of Law, J.D., with honors, 1998
- Universite de Montpellier, Montpellier, France, Summer 1998
- University of Florida, B.S., with honors, 1995
Admissions
- Florida, 1999
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2007
- U.S. Court of Appeals
- Eleventh Circuit, 2000
- U.S. District Court
- Middle District of Florida, 2000
- Northern District of Florida, 1999
- Southern District of Florida, 1999
