Nicole L. Simmons

Of Counsel
Phoenix
Nicole Simmons is a Phoenix real estate and tribal law attorney who handles a wide range of commercial real estate transactions across the country. Nicole assists commercial, tribal and energy clients with acquisitions, leases, fee-to-trust transitions, land swaps, federal housing and Economic Development Administration grant-related due diligence, and curatives related to large-scale wind and solar projects across private, state, federal and tribal lands. Her experience includes (i) negotiating and preparing purchase and sale agreements, leases, architectural and other design agreements, easements, restrictive covenants, and other real estate related documentation; (ii) assisting energy developers in acquiring, leasing and developing energy projects in Arizona that includes identifying curatives necessary for development, and preparing and negotiating easements, surface use agreements, crossing agreements, and other curatives under state, federal law and tribal law; and (iii). Nicole has also provided outside general counsel services to various tribal entities and their Boards that includes advice regarding commercial, real estate, and labor and employment, gaming and general tribal law matters in state, tribal and federal forums across the country.

Professional Highlights

Judicial Clerkships

Arizona Court of Appeals, Judge Don Kessler

Professional Activities

Thurgood Marshall Inn of Court

AWLA Member and current Judicial Appointments Committee Vice-Chair and former Committee Chair

Professional Anti-Harassment and Ethics Trainer within Indian Country (2019 - Present)

Ladder Down Leadership Institute

Recognition & Accomplishments

Phoenix Magazine, 'Top Lawyer' - Real Estate Law and Tribal Law, 2022

Speaking Engagements

"Legality of Sports Gambling: Betting on the Future," Pima County Bar Association CLE Webinar

“ESG Today,” Association of Corporate Counsel

Board Memberships & Community Service

Arizona Women’s Lawyer’s Association, Judicial Appointment Committee, former Chair

Founder & CEO of Playing It Forward

President of the Ahwatukee Custom Estates Association Board

Track coach, the Truth Track Tribe

Credentials 

Education

Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law (J.D., 2011)

Arizona State University (B.S. 2002)

Admissions

Navajo Nation

Swinomish Nation

U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit

U.S. District Court, District of Arizona

Arizona State Courts