HON. LESLIE C. NICHOLS (Ret.) is a distinguished mediator, arbitrator, and referee with a prestigious 25-year judicial career in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. Specializing in alternative dispute resolution, he stands out for his deep expertise across a wide spectrum of civil, family, and probate matters, leveraging his extensive background as a former Presiding Judge to facilitate fair and efficient resolutions.
With a career marked by leadership roles—including serving as Assistant Presiding Judge and two elected terms as Presiding Judge—Judge Nichols brings a seasoned, impartial perspective to each case. His approach is informed by hands-on experience presiding over complex litigation, settlement conferences, and high-stakes disputes, making him particularly well-suited for cases involving businesses, professionals, individuals, and public agencies seeking authoritative and thoughtful mediation or arbitration services.
Services Offered
- Mediation
- Arbitration
- Judicial Reference (Referee)
- Settlement Conferences
- Accounting & Taxation Dispute Resolution
- Business & Contract Disputes
- Complex Litigation
- Eminent Domain Cases
- Employment Disputes
- Family Law Mediation and Arbitration
- Intellectual Property Disputes
- Land Use and CEQA Matters
- Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Disputes
- Personal Injury and Catastrophic Injury Mediation
- Wrongful Death Cases
- Probate, Estates, and Trusts Disputes
- Professional Liability Matters
- Civil Rights Cases
- Consumer Dispute Resolution
- Real Property Disputes
Judge Nichols is highly regarded for his work across Santa Clara County and is available for assignments throughout California. His background includes unification of trial courts and service in multiple judicial divisions, underscoring his capability and reliability in handling multifaceted legal disputes.
