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Nicole Vasquez Schmitt

Nicole Vasquez Schmitt

Partner

One PPG Place
Suite 3200
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
T 412.730.4233
nicole.vasquezschmitt@nelsonmullins.com
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Nicole focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation, government investigations, and white-collar defense. She brings a valuable combination of private‑practice and federal prosecutorial experience, having practiced as a law firm associate, served as an Assistant United States Attorney, and returned to private practice as a partner at Nelson Mullins, where she now advises clients in...

Nicole focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation, government investigations, and white-collar defense. She brings a valuable combination of private‑practice and federal prosecutorial experience, having practiced as a law firm associate, served as an Assistant United States Attorney, and returned to private practice as a partner at Nelson Mullins, where she now advises clients in high‑stakes matters.

Earlier in her career, Nicole practiced as a senior litigation associate at large firms, gaining experience in commercial litigation, investigations, and regulatory matters and developing a strong foundation in case strategy, motion practice, and client counseling. Nicole then entered public service as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Pennsylvania, where she prosecuted a broad range of federal criminal cases, including cybercrime, national security, fraud, public corruption, civil rights, environmental, and financial crimes. In that role, Nicole led investigations from inception through indictment and trial, worked closely with law enforcement agencies, and handled all aspects of jury trials, evidentiary hearings, and sentencing proceedings.

Most notably, Nicole was a member of the prosecution team in the three-month federal trial arising from the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, the worst antisemitic mass shooting in U.S. history. Nicole also served as part of the multiagency team responsible for the criminal investigation into the 2024 assassination attempt on then‑presidential candidate Donald J. Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.  

In recognition of her work at the Department of Justice, Nicole was awarded the Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service, the Department of Justice’s highest honor.

Nicole Vasquez Schmitt

high‑stakes matters.

Earlier in her career, Nicole practiced as a senior litigation associate at large firms, gaining experience in commercial litigation, investigations, and regulatory matters and developing a strong foundation in case strategy, motion practice, and client counseling. Nicole then entered public service as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Pennsylvania, where she prosecuted a broad range of federal criminal cases, including cybercrime, national security, fraud, public corruption, civil rights, environmental, and financial crimes. In that role, Nicole led investigations from inception through indictment and trial, worked closely with law enforcement agencies, and handled all aspects of jury trials, evidentiary hearings, and sentencing proceedings.

Most notably, Nicole was a member of the prosecution team in the three-month federal trial arising from the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, the worst antisemitic mass shooting in U.S. history. Nicole also served as part of the multiagency team responsible for the criminal investigation into the 2024 assassination attempt on then‑presidential candidate Donald J. Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.  

In recognition of her work at the Department of Justice, Nicole was awarded the Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service, the Department of Justice’s highest honor.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience  

  • Assistant United States Attorney, Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Pennsylvania (2018–2026)
  • Litigation Associate, Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C., Pittsburgh PA (2015–2018)
  • Litigation Associate, Milbank LLP, New York, NY (2008-2015)
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience  

  • Assistant United States Attorney, Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Pennsylvania (2018–2026)
  • Litigation Associate, Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C., Pittsburgh PA (2015–2018)
  • Litigation Associate, Milbank LLP, New York, NY (2008-2015)

Media

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Recognitions

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • Outstanding Service Award, Western District of Pennsylvania (2025)
  • Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service (highest award given by the Department of Justice to recognize employee achievement) (2024)
  • Outstanding Performance Award, Law Enforcement Agency Directors (LEAD) (2022; 2024)

Nicole focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation, government investigations, and white-collar defense. She brings a valuable combination of private‑practice and federal prosecutorial experience, having practiced as a law firm associate, served as an Assistant United States Attorney, and returned to private practice as a partner at Nelson Mullins, where she now advises clients in... high‑stakes matters.

Earlier in her career, Nicole practiced as a senior litigation associate at large firms, gaining experience in commercial litigation, investigations, and regulatory matters and developing a strong foundation in case strategy, motion practice, and client counseling. Nicole then entered public service as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Pennsylvania, where she prosecuted a broad range of federal criminal cases, including cybercrime, national security, fraud, public corruption, civil rights, environmental, and financial crimes. In that role, Nicole led investigations from inception through indictment and trial, worked closely with law enforcement agencies, and handled all aspects of jury trials, evidentiary hearings, and sentencing proceedings.

Most notably, Nicole was a member of the prosecution team in the three-month federal trial arising from the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, the worst antisemitic mass shooting in U.S. history. Nicole also served as part of the multiagency team responsible for the criminal investigation into the 2024 assassination attempt on then‑presidential candidate Donald J. Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.  

In recognition of her work at the Department of Justice, Nicole was awarded the Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service, the Department of Justice’s highest honor.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience  

  • Assistant United States Attorney, Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Pennsylvania (2018–2026)
  • Litigation Associate, Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C., Pittsburgh PA (2015–2018)
  • Litigation Associate, Milbank LLP, New York, NY (2008-2015)

Education

  • Hofstra University School of Law, JD, magna cum laude (2008)
    • Hofstra Law Review, Associate Editor
    • Citation of Excellence in Housing Rights Clinical Course
    • Latino Law Students Association Networking Chair
  • Carnegie Mellon University, BFA, with honors (2005)

Admissions

  • Pennsylvania
  • New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Practice Areas

Industries

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • Outstanding Service Award, Western District of Pennsylvania (2025)
  • Attorney General’s David Margolis Award for Exceptional Service (highest award given by the Department of Justice to recognize employee achievement) (2024)
  • Outstanding Performance Award, Law Enforcement Agency Directors (LEAD) (2022; 2024)