abOUT gABRIELLE
After earning a bachelor’s degree in English, Ms. Nicolet worked as both a professional writer and juvenile probation officer. Ultimately, she decided to combine her writing skills with her passion for criminal justice and began a career in criminal defense. Ms. Nicolet became a licensed attorney after working in state and federal criminal defense for more than six years.
In 2018, Ms. Nicolet was accepted into the Law Office Study Program, a four-year apprenticeship program through the State Bar of California that allows participants to pursue their legal education by studying under a licensed attorney or judge in lieu of attending law school. Ms. Nicolet studied under Elizabeth Grossman, a respected Bay Area-based criminal defense attorney with 40+ years of experience. After completing over 3,500 hours of legal study and hands-on training, Ms. Nicolet completed the program in 2022. She successfully passed the California Bar Exam on her first attempt in February 2023.
Prior to earning her law license, Ms. Nicolet worked as a Paralegal at the Law Offices of Elizabeth Grossman, a private firm specializing in criminal and Title IX defense, as well as civil rights cases. In addition, she worked for the Alameda County Public Defender’s Office in Oakland where she supported the felony trial team, including both the homicide and investigations divisions. Ms. Nicolet was also a Senior Paralegal at Ramsey & Ehrlich LLP, a boutique white collar and general federal criminal defense firm. Upon Ismail Ramsey's appointment to United States Attorney for the Northern District of California, Ramsey & Ehrlich was dissolved and Ms. Nicolet then continued in her role at the newly created firm, Ehrlich & Craig LLP. Ms. Nicolet's most recent role was as a Criminal Defense Attorney for Cardoza Law Offices.
Ms. Nicolet is an advocate for criminal justice and prison reform and has been a volunteer at San Quentin State Prison since 2015. She began volunteering as a Reentry Advisor with California Reentry Program, helping participants prepare for their parole board hearings and release from prison. Since 2017, she has been co-facilitating Prison to Employment Connection (P2EC), a prison-based job readiness program. In 2023, she was appointed Program Director of P2EC and is currently in the process of expanding the program to other prisons in California.
Bar Admissions:
- California
Affiliations:
- Member, California Public Defenders Association
- Member, California Lawyers Association
- Member, Alameda County Bar Association
Education:
- Law Office Study Program, State Bar of California
- Paralegal Certificate, University of the Pacific
- Bachelor of Arts in English, Northern Illinois University (Summa Cum Laude)