Nicole M. Nowlin - Portland, OR
Attorney at Cosgrave Vergeer Kester LLP
Personal Injury & Property Damage Liability Lawyers in Portland, OR
900 SW Fifth Avenue 24th Floor Portland, OR 97204
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
24
Years
Experience
Portland Personal Injury & Property Damage Liability Lawyer
Updated: 03/10/2026
Areas of Practice
- Personal Injury & Property Damage Liability
- Professional Liability
- Arbitration & Mediation
- Coverage Opinions & Litigation
Attorney Information
Overview
Nicole has defended individuals and businesses in a wide variety of complex litigation matters over her 22-year legal career, including trucking and automobile liability, liquor liability, legal malpractice, and hospitality and hotel-related claims. She is a strong advocate for her clients and an experienced and effective trial/arbitration attorney. Nicole is often retained to defend cases which are of a sensitive nature, such as defending businesses in vicarious liability claims involving sexual assaults by employees and agents.
In addition to her tort/casualty litigation practice, she also specializes in insurance coverage matters and routinely counsels and represents insurance companies regarding disputed claims, coverage lawsuits, and the drafting of policy language.
Nicole also serves as an arbitrator in court-annexed arbitration cases for Multnomah and Washington Counties and on underinsured and uninsured motorist arbitration panels.
Nicole began her legal career in Los Angeles working as an associate in a large health care law firm. She defended doctors and hospitals in medical malpractice claims, with a special emphasis in defending birth injury suits.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- "Rising Star" for insurance coverage in the Oregon publication of Super Lawyers, 2009 - 2012
Other Sources of Feedback About Nicole M. Nowlin
Included on the 2026 Oregon Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2013 Oregon Super Lawyers list
- 2012 Oregon Super Lawyers list
- 2011 Oregon Super Lawyers list
- 2010 Oregon Super Lawyers list
- 2009 Oregon Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
-
Willamette University College of Law,
Salem,
Oregon, 2002
Law Review: Willamette Law Review, Form Editor
-
Willamette University College of Law,
Salem,
Oregon, 2002
-
Non Legal Education
-
Linfield College, 1999
B.A.
Major: Political Science
Major: History
-
Linfield College, 1999
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Partner
Classes and Seminars
-
“It’s Not Just a Two-Way Street: Shattering Glass Ceilings and Beyond”, Panelist, ALFA International Insurance Law Roundtable, June 15, 2017, “It’s Not Just a Two-Way Street: Shattering Glass Ceilings and Beyond”, Panelist, ALFA International Insurance Law Roundtable, June 15, 2017
-
“Defending Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Cases”, State Farm Insurance claim professionals, February 9, 2017
-
“2016 Changes to Oregon UIM and PIP Laws”, Oregon Mutual Insurance Company claim professionals, September 13, 2016
-
“Loose Lips Sink Ships – Effective Use of Social Media”, Panelist, ALFA International Insurance Law Roundtable, June 12, 2015
-
“Social Media in Claims Handling and Litigation”, State Farm Insurance claim professionals, June 19, 2014
-
“Social Media in Claims Handling and Litigation”, Presented to Oregon Mutual Insurance claim professionals, May 15, 2014
- “To Defend or Not to Defend? Weighing the Potential Consequences of Not Defending Your Insured”, Presenter, ALFA International Insurance Law Practice Group Tele-Seminar, February 19, 2013
Published Works
Articles
-
“Oregon’s Lack of Compulsory Counterclaims”, Client Update, ALFA International, Insurance Practice Group, Property and Casualty Insurance Sub-Group, Winter 2015
-
“2015 Oregon Insurance Compendia“, ALFA International Insurance Practice Group Annual Update, June 2015
-
“Senate Bill 411 Brings Significant Changes to Oregon UM/UIM and PIP Coverage”, Cosgrave Insurance Practice Group Update, May 2015
-
“Diversity, Inclusion & Equality in the MBA”, Multnomah Lawyer, January 2015
-
“Leaving Alleged Defamatory Material On The Internet Likely Does Not Trigger Coverage Under Later Insurance Policies”, Client Update, ALFA International, Insurance Practice Group, Property and Casualty Insurance Sub-Group, May 2014
- “Online Defamation: Multiple Coverage – Triggering Events or a Single Publication?”, Feature Article, The Verdict, Oregon Association of Defense Counsel Magazine, Issue 1, 2014
- “Eclipsing New Heights: Scaling the Skyscrapers of EPLI, Professional Liability and Insurance Defense”, Course Book Editor, 2014 ALFA International EPLI & Professional Liability Seminar
- “Staying Ahead of the Curve: Practical Updates, Guidance, and Strategies for Insurance Professionals”, Course Book Editor, 2013 ALFA International Insurance Law Roundtable
- “AFLA International Client Update”, Property and Casualty Sub-Group of Insurance Practice Group
Bar Admissions
- California, 2002
- Oregon, 2005
- U.S. District Court District of Oregon
- U.S. District Court Central District of California
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court Central District of California
Specialties and Certifications
- Arbitrator, Multnomah County and Washington County court-annexed arbitrations
- Arbitrator, underinsured and uninsured motorist arbitration panels
Other Affiliations
- Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, Member
- Multnomah County Bar Association, Member
- Oregon Women Lawyers, Member
- ALFA International Insurance Practice Group Steering Committee, Member
Photo
Contact
900 SW Fifth Avenue
24th Floor
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: (503) 323-9000
Fax: (503) 323-9019
Email: Send a message
Disclaimer
Your Profile? Update Now
When viewing a listing, consider the state advertising restrictions to which lawyers and law firms must adhere, as well as our FindLaw.com Legal Directory disclaimer. Some lawyers publish comparative information regarding the services that they provide which may be subject to specific comparative communications restrictions.