Stephanie’s practice focuses on insurance coverage litigation. She advocates for her clients in declaratory judgment actions and mediations. As a litigator, Stephanie brings to her coverage practice a broad background in cases related to commercial transportation, product liability, general negligence, premises liability, toxic and mass tort, and contracts.
Stephanie has experience handling all aspects of pre-trial practice, including preparing clients for testifying at arbitration or trial, arguing pre-trial and dispositive motions, managing e-discovery investigations, and taking and defending depositions of fact and independent expert witnesses. Her experience includes drafting pleadings, discovery requests and responses, settlement agreements, “Daubert” and “Frye” motions, dispositive motions, pre-trial motions, trial briefs, witness examination outlines, and arbitration and mediation submissions.

Remaining committed to fostering an inclusive environment and promoting changes to meet the demands of our evolving community, Stephanie is a member of the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

Memberships

• Chicago Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association

Awards & Rankings

• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America (Insurance Law), 2022 – present
• Business Edition of Women in the Law, Best Lawyers®, 2022
• CALI Award for Excellence in Criminal Law and Trial Advocacy II
• Chicago-Kent Bar and Gavel Inductee, 2018
• Edmund Burke Award in Forensic Oratory, 2018
• Regional Champion and Region’s Highest-Scoring Brief, National Moot Court Competition, 2017-2018
• Regional Champion, ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition, 2016-2017

Before Nicolaides

Stephanie was formerly an associate at a Chicago-based law firm where she represented insurance companies and corporate clients in civil matters related to transportation, toxic tort, product liability, premises liability, medical malpractice, and general negligence.
 
During law school, Stephanie was the Vice President of the Chicago-Kent Moot Court Honor Society. She competed in nationally-ranked moot court competitions across the country and coached junior members. Stephanie was also a student representative for the Illinois State Bar Association.

Outside Nicolaides

Stephanie loves to garden, spend time with her family and dog, and cheer for the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks.