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