Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC

Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC
Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC

Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC

Firm Overview

Main Office

Main Office
4700 Homewood Ct. Suite 220
Raleigh, NC 27609

Phone

(919) 341-2636

Employment

Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC
M. Jackson Nichols

Jack Nichols was born in Quantico, Virginia, and grew up in Charlotte, N.C. He has lived in Raleigh since 1978. He concentrates on public policy development and advocacy, administrative law, and civil litigation. His practice is augmented by his extensive government service, including elective office to the Board of Commissioners (1990-1994) of Wake County, the state's second largest county. He has taught Administrative Law and Constitutional Law at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Campbell University School of Law. He served as Deputy Legislative Liaison for Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., from 1983-1985, and worked in state government from 1978-1985 as legal counsel to the Secretaries of Administration and Human Resources.

Mr. Nichols represents ten state occupational licensing boards, and he has also represented clients before regulatory bodies such as the North Carolina Utilities Commission, North Carolina Banking Commission, North Carolina Industrial Commission, and the State Personnel Commission. Mr. Nichols has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America in Administrative Law since 2006 and as a "Super Lawyer" in North Carolina Super Lawyersince 2006. Mr. Nichols has also been recognized by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly as a 2014 Leader in the Law.

Practice

Public Policy, Administrative, Regulatory and Compliance, Professional and Occupational Licensing, Labor and Employment, Government, and Commercial Litigation

Education

Duke University, M.A. Public Policy, 1977
Wake Forest University School of Law, J.D., 1977
Davidson College, B.S., 1973

Admissions

North Carolina Bar
Eastern, Middle and Western Districts, U.S. District Court
Fourth Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals
U.S. Supreme Court

Selected Experience

Serves as general counsel for N.C. Board of Nursing, N.C. Social Work Certification and Licensure Board, N.C. Board of Architecture, N.C. Board of Funeral Services, and N.C. Board of Opticians.
Serves as general counsel to numerous nonprofit boards, including Planned Parenthood Health Systems, Wake County SmartStart, North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE), N.C. Medical Society, N.C. Foundation for Public School Children, and Foundation for Nursing Excellence.
Represented clients before numerous occupational licensing boards including N.C. Real Estate Licensing Commission, N.C. Board of Pharmacy, N.C. Board of Psychology, N.C. Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, N.C. Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy, N.C. Board of Occupational Therapy, N.C. Board of Examiners for Engineers and Land Surveyors, and N.C. Board of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.
Represented N.C. Board of Dental Examiners against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in In the Matter of N.C. Board of Dental Examiners, Docket No. 9343.
Represented clients in over 100 hearings of the Office of Administrative Hearings.
Counsel of Record in over 60 appellate cases.
Litigated employment cases involving sexual harassment, EEOC claims, retaliation, and whistleblowers.
Litigated commercial cases involving Unfair Trade Practice claims, violation of non-compete agreements, violations of the N.C. Trade Secrets Act, professional defamation, and product disparagement.

Leadership & Public Service

Publicly elected member, Wake County Board of Commissioners, 1990-1994.
Chair, N.C. Bar Association Administrative Law Section, 1994-1995; Membership Services Committee, 2000-2002.
Regular presenter at Council on Legislative, Enforcement and Administration Regulation (CLEAR).
Co-Founder and legal counsel for Planned Parenthood of Greater Raleigh.
Co-Founder, board chair, and legal counsel Wake County SmartStart.
Scoutmaster and Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America, Occoneechee Council.
President, Occoneechee Council, BSA, 1997-1999.
Member, Wake Medical Center Board of Directors, 2009-2014.

Honors

Recognized by Best Lawyers in America in Administrative Law
Recognized as a Super Lawyer by North Carolina Super Lawyers.
Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell.*
* CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedure's standards and policies.

Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC
M. Jackson Nichols

Jack Nichols was born in Quantico, Virginia, and grew up in Charlotte, N.C. He has lived in Raleigh since 1978. He concentrates on public policy development and advocacy, administrative law, and civil litigation. His practice is augmented by his extensive government service, including elective office to the Board of Commissioners (1990-1994) of Wake County, the state's second largest county. He has taught Administrative Law and Constitutional Law at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Campbell University School of Law. He served as Deputy Legislative Liaison for Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., from 1983-1985, and worked in state government from 1978-1985 as legal counsel to the Secretaries of Administration and Human Resources.

Mr. Nichols represents ten state occupational licensing boards, and he has also represented clients before regulatory bodies such as the North Carolina Utilities Commission, North Carolina Banking Commission, North Carolina Industrial Commission, and the State Personnel Commission. Mr. Nichols has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America in Administrative Law since 2006 and as a "Super Lawyer" in North Carolina Super Lawyersince 2006. Mr. Nichols has also been recognized by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly as a 2014 Leader in the Law.

Practice

Public Policy, Administrative, Regulatory and Compliance, Professional and Occupational Licensing, Labor and Employment, Government, and Commercial Litigation

Education

Duke University, M.A. Public Policy, 1977
Wake Forest University School of Law, J.D., 1977
Davidson College, B.S., 1973

Admissions

North Carolina Bar
Eastern, Middle and Western Districts, U.S. District Court
Fourth Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals
U.S. Supreme Court

Selected Experience

Serves as general counsel for N.C. Board of Nursing, N.C. Social Work Certification and Licensure Board, N.C. Board of Architecture, N.C. Board of Funeral Services, and N.C. Board of Opticians.
Serves as general counsel to numerous nonprofit boards, including Planned Parenthood Health Systems, Wake County SmartStart, North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE), N.C. Medical Society, N.C. Foundation for Public School Children, and Foundation for Nursing Excellence.
Represented clients before numerous occupational licensing boards including N.C. Real Estate Licensing Commission, N.C. Board of Pharmacy, N.C. Board of Psychology, N.C. Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, N.C. Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy, N.C. Board of Occupational Therapy, N.C. Board of Examiners for Engineers and Land Surveyors, and N.C. Board of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.
Represented N.C. Board of Dental Examiners against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in In the Matter of N.C. Board of Dental Examiners, Docket No. 9343.
Represented clients in over 100 hearings of the Office of Administrative Hearings.
Counsel of Record in over 60 appellate cases.
Litigated employment cases involving sexual harassment, EEOC claims, retaliation, and whistleblowers.
Litigated commercial cases involving Unfair Trade Practice claims, violation of non-compete agreements, violations of the N.C. Trade Secrets Act, professional defamation, and product disparagement.

Leadership & Public Service

Publicly elected member, Wake County Board of Commissioners, 1990-1994.
Chair, N.C. Bar Association Administrative Law Section, 1994-1995; Membership Services Committee, 2000-2002.
Regular presenter at Council on Legislative, Enforcement and Administration Regulation (CLEAR).
Co-Founder and legal counsel for Planned Parenthood of Greater Raleigh.
Co-Founder, board chair, and legal counsel Wake County SmartStart.
Scoutmaster and Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America, Occoneechee Council.
President, Occoneechee Council, BSA, 1997-1999.
Member, Wake Medical Center Board of Directors, 2009-2014.

Honors

Recognized by Best Lawyers in America in Administrative Law
Recognized as a Super Lawyer by North Carolina Super Lawyers.
Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell.*
* CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedure's standards and policies.

Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC
Catherine Lee

Catherine E. Lee's legal practice focuses on employment law, administrative law, civil litigation, and contract disputes, with an emphasis on matters involving state occupational licensing boards and public employment.

Ms. Lee was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ms. Lee received a Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science with highest distinction in 2003. She attended law school at The University of Texas School of Law, where she received her JD with honors in 2006 and served as Co-Editor in Chief, Texas Journal of Women and the Law (2005-2006).

A member of the North Carolina Bar Association and the American Bar Association, in 2009, she received the N.C. Bar Association's Charles F. Blanchard Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. She served as a N.C. State Bar Delegate to the ABA's House of Delegates from 2009-2011, and has served as the Division Director and Secretary for the Young Lawyers Division of the N.C. Bar Association.

Practice

Labor and Employment, Administrative, Regulatory, Contract Disputes, Civil Litigation

Education

The University of Texas School of Law, JD, with honors, 2006
Co-Editor in Chief, Texas Journal of Women and the Law, 2005-2006
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA, with highest distinction, 2003

Admissions

North Carolina Bar
Fourth and Sixth Circuits, U.S. Court of Appeals
U.S. District Courts, Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
The U.S. Supreme Court

Leadership & Public Service

Member of the North Carolina Bar Association Board of Governors, 2015-2018.
Secretary for the Young Lawyers Division of the N.C. Bar Association, 2014.
N.C. State Bar Delegate to the ABA's House of Delegates from 2009-2011.
Member of the N.C. Bar Association Administrative Law Section Council.

Honors

N.C. Bar Association's Charles F. Blanchard Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, 2009.
Recognized as an outstanding young lawyer since 2012 by inclusion on the North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, which selects not more than 2.5 percent of North Carolina attorneys based on their high peer recognition and professional achievement.
Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell.*

* CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedure's standards and policies.

Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC
Catherine Lee

Catherine E. Lee's legal practice focuses on employment law, administrative law, civil litigation, and contract disputes, with an emphasis on matters involving state occupational licensing boards and public employment.

Ms. Lee was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ms. Lee received a Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science with highest distinction in 2003. She attended law school at The University of Texas School of Law, where she received her JD with honors in 2006 and served as Co-Editor in Chief, Texas Journal of Women and the Law (2005-2006).

A member of the North Carolina Bar Association and the American Bar Association, in 2009, she received the N.C. Bar Association's Charles F. Blanchard Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. She served as a N.C. State Bar Delegate to the ABA's House of Delegates from 2009-2011, and has served as the Division Director and Secretary for the Young Lawyers Division of the N.C. Bar Association.

Practice

Labor and Employment, Administrative, Regulatory, Contract Disputes, Civil Litigation

Education

The University of Texas School of Law, JD, with honors, 2006
Co-Editor in Chief, Texas Journal of Women and the Law, 2005-2006
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA, with highest distinction, 2003

Admissions

North Carolina Bar
Fourth and Sixth Circuits, U.S. Court of Appeals
U.S. District Courts, Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
The U.S. Supreme Court

Leadership & Public Service

Member of the North Carolina Bar Association Board of Governors, 2015-2018.
Secretary for the Young Lawyers Division of the N.C. Bar Association, 2014.
N.C. State Bar Delegate to the ABA's House of Delegates from 2009-2011.
Member of the N.C. Bar Association Administrative Law Section Council.

Honors

N.C. Bar Association's Charles F. Blanchard Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, 2009.
Recognized as an outstanding young lawyer since 2012 by inclusion on the North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, which selects not more than 2.5 percent of North Carolina attorneys based on their high peer recognition and professional achievement.
Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell.*

* CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedure's standards and policies.

Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC
Anna Baird Choi

Anna Baird Choi is a native of Raleigh. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with degrees in Economics and Political Science in 1990 and earned her law degree from Campbell University in 1994. Her practice focuses on administrative law and regulatory law. She served as the first law clerk at the N.C. Office of Administrative Hearings (1994-1997) and as Assistant Attorney General in the N.C. Department of Justice (1997-2000).

Since 2002, Ms. Choi has served as counsel to the N.C. Licensing Board for General Contractors. She advises the General Contractor's Board and eight other occupational licensing boards represented on all matters including licensing, minimum qualifications, rulemaking, disciplinary actions, and personnel issues. Additionally, she represents individuals and businesses before other N.C. licensing boards and agencies. Representative professions and businesses include: real estate brokers, plumbers, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, pharmacists, retail pharmacies, and licensed child care facilities. Ms. Choi currently serves as a Commissioner on the N.C. Rules Review Commission. She is also the former Chair for the Administrative Law Council of the N.C. Bar Association.

Practice
Administrative, Regulatory, Labor and Employment, Regulatory Compliance, Professional and Occupational Licensing, Public Policy

Education
Campbell University School of Law, J.D., 1994
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., 1990

Admissions
North Carolina Bar
Eastern District of North Carolina, U.S. District Court
Western District of North Carolina, U.S. District Court
U.S. Supreme Court

Selected Experience
Counsel for the N.C. Licensing Board for General Contractors, N.C. Board of Nursing, N.C. Social Work Certification and Licensure Board, N.C. Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators, and N.C. Board of Funeral Services.
Represents clients before numerous occupational/professional licensing boards including N.C. Real Estate Commission, N.C. Board of Pharmacy, N.C. Medical Board, and N.C. Board of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.
Represents child care centers before the N.C. Division of Child Development.
Serves as independent hearing officer in personnel grievances filed by State employees.

Leadership & Public Service
Tenth Judicial District Bar and Wake County Bar Association Board of Directors, Member, 2015-present.
N.C. Bar Association, Administrative Law Section Chair, 2013-2014.
N.C. Rules Review Commission, Commissioner, 2012-2014.
Helene Foundation, Board Member, 2013-present.
Marbles Kids Museum, Board of Directors Member, 2007-2012.
Junior League of Raleigh, Member, 1996 to present. Past leadership positions include:
Vice President of Training;
Annual Fund Chair;
Government Relations and Public Affairs Chair;
Training Chair; and
Membership Development Chair.
N.C. Society Daughters of the American Revolution, State Parliamentarian, 2009-present.
Wake County Courthouse KidsCenter, Board of Directors Member and Board Secretary, 2000-2004.
Wake County Commission for Women, Commissioner, 2002-2003.
Capital City Clauses, Board of Directors and Board Treasurer, 1999-2001.

Honors
Listed with Best Lawyers as one of only 13 North Carolina lawyers in the Administrative Law practice area.
Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell.*

* CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedure's standards and policies.

Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC
Anna Baird Choi

Anna Baird Choi is a native of Raleigh. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with degrees in Economics and Political Science in 1990 and earned her law degree from Campbell University in 1994. Her practice focuses on administrative law and regulatory law. She served as the first law clerk at the N.C. Office of Administrative Hearings (1994-1997) and as Assistant Attorney General in the N.C. Department of Justice (1997-2000).

Since 2002, Ms. Choi has served as counsel to the N.C. Licensing Board for General Contractors. She advises the General Contractor's Board and eight other occupational licensing boards represented on all matters including licensing, minimum qualifications, rulemaking, disciplinary actions, and personnel issues. Additionally, she represents individuals and businesses before other N.C. licensing boards and agencies. Representative professions and businesses include: real estate brokers, plumbers, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, pharmacists, retail pharmacies, and licensed child care facilities. Ms. Choi currently serves as a Commissioner on the N.C. Rules Review Commission. She is also the former Chair for the Administrative Law Council of the N.C. Bar Association.

Practice
Administrative, Regulatory, Labor and Employment, Regulatory Compliance, Professional and Occupational Licensing, Public Policy

Education
Campbell University School of Law, J.D., 1994
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., 1990

Admissions
North Carolina Bar
Eastern District of North Carolina, U.S. District Court
Western District of North Carolina, U.S. District Court
U.S. Supreme Court

Selected Experience
Counsel for the N.C. Licensing Board for General Contractors, N.C. Board of Nursing, N.C. Social Work Certification and Licensure Board, N.C. Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators, and N.C. Board of Funeral Services.
Represents clients before numerous occupational/professional licensing boards including N.C. Real Estate Commission, N.C. Board of Pharmacy, N.C. Medical Board, and N.C. Board of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.
Represents child care centers before the N.C. Division of Child Development.
Serves as independent hearing officer in personnel grievances filed by State employees.

Leadership & Public Service
Tenth Judicial District Bar and Wake County Bar Association Board of Directors, Member, 2015-present.
N.C. Bar Association, Administrative Law Section Chair, 2013-2014.
N.C. Rules Review Commission, Commissioner, 2012-2014.
Helene Foundation, Board Member, 2013-present.
Marbles Kids Museum, Board of Directors Member, 2007-2012.
Junior League of Raleigh, Member, 1996 to present. Past leadership positions include:
Vice President of Training;
Annual Fund Chair;
Government Relations and Public Affairs Chair;
Training Chair; and
Membership Development Chair.
N.C. Society Daughters of the American Revolution, State Parliamentarian, 2009-present.
Wake County Courthouse KidsCenter, Board of Directors Member and Board Secretary, 2000-2004.
Wake County Commission for Women, Commissioner, 2002-2003.
Capital City Clauses, Board of Directors and Board Treasurer, 1999-2001.

Honors
Listed with Best Lawyers as one of only 13 North Carolina lawyers in the Administrative Law practice area.
Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell.*

* CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedure's standards and policies.

Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC
Christina D. Cress

Position: Senior Associate
Email: christina@ncl-law.com

Originally from small town Florida, Christina fell in love with North Carolina when she moved to Chapel Hill in 2010 to attend law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Save for traveling, she hasn't left the state since. Before law school, Ms. Cress graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a Master of Arts in International Business.

Immediately prior to joining Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC, Ms. Cress served as a Staff Attorney at the North Carolina Utilities Commission, where she spent the majority of her time advising the Commission regarding the implementation of regulatory structures to govern new State energy programs created by the passage of House Bill 589 (S.L. 2017-192), "Competitive Energy Solutions for NC."

Before joining Commission Staff, Ms. Cress served as in-house counsel to the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service and, for a time, the Interim Executive Director. At the Board, she prosecuted alleged violations of the Board's Practice Act, advised the Board on compliance with State and federal law, and served as the Board's Ethics Liaison, Rulemaking Coordinator, Records Custodian, and Legislative Liaison.

Immediately after law school, Ms. Cress spent her first two years in practice defending insurance companies and their insured clients from a variety of civil litigation claims. During this time, she single-chaired a three-day Wake County Superior Court jury trial, seven District Court bench trials, and litigated numerous cases from the pleadings phase through adjudication or settlement.

Outside of the office, Christina usually is immersed in reading for her book club or playing with her rescue dog, George the beagle mix.

License

Bar Number: 45963
North Carolina, 2013

Education

University of Florida
B.S., 2010

University of Florida
M.A., 2010

University of North Carolina School of Law
J.D., 2013

Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC
Christina D. Cress

Position: Senior Associate
Email: christina@ncl-law.com

Originally from small town Florida, Christina fell in love with North Carolina when she moved to Chapel Hill in 2010 to attend law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Save for traveling, she hasn't left the state since. Before law school, Ms. Cress graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a Master of Arts in International Business.

Immediately prior to joining Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC, Ms. Cress served as a Staff Attorney at the North Carolina Utilities Commission, where she spent the majority of her time advising the Commission regarding the implementation of regulatory structures to govern new State energy programs created by the passage of House Bill 589 (S.L. 2017-192), "Competitive Energy Solutions for NC."

Before joining Commission Staff, Ms. Cress served as in-house counsel to the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service and, for a time, the Interim Executive Director. At the Board, she prosecuted alleged violations of the Board's Practice Act, advised the Board on compliance with State and federal law, and served as the Board's Ethics Liaison, Rulemaking Coordinator, Records Custodian, and Legislative Liaison.

Immediately after law school, Ms. Cress spent her first two years in practice defending insurance companies and their insured clients from a variety of civil litigation claims. During this time, she single-chaired a three-day Wake County Superior Court jury trial, seven District Court bench trials, and litigated numerous cases from the pleadings phase through adjudication or settlement.

Outside of the office, Christina usually is immersed in reading for her book club or playing with her rescue dog, George the beagle mix.

License

Bar Number: 45963
North Carolina, 2013

Education

University of Florida B.S., 2010


University of Florida M.A., 2010


University of North Carolina School of Law J.D., 2013


Firm Overview

Main Office

Main Office
4700 Homewood Ct. Suite 220
Raleigh, NC 27609

Phone

(919) 341-2636

Employment

Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC
M. Jackson Nichols

Jack Nichols was born in Quantico, Virginia, and grew up in Charlotte, N.C. He has lived in Raleigh since 1978. He concentrates on public policy development and advocacy, administrative law, and civil litigation. His practice is augmented by his extensive government service, including elective office to the Board of Commissioners (1990-1994) of Wake County, the state's second largest county. He has taught Administrative Law and Constitutional Law at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Campbell University School of Law. He served as Deputy Legislative Liaison for Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., from 1983-1985, and worked in state government from 1978-1985 as legal counsel to the Secretaries of Administration and Human Resources.

Mr. Nichols represents ten state occupational licensing boards, and he has also represented clients before regulatory bodies such as the North Carolina Utilities Commission, North Carolina Banking Commission, North Carolina Industrial Commission, and the State Personnel Commission. Mr. Nichols has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America in Administrative Law since 2006 and as a "Super Lawyer" in North Carolina Super Lawyersince 2006. Mr. Nichols has also been recognized by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly as a 2014 Leader in the Law.

Practice

Public Policy, Administrative, Regulatory and Compliance, Professional and Occupational Licensing, Labor and Employment, Government, and Commercial Litigation

Education

Duke University, M.A. Public Policy, 1977
Wake Forest University School of Law, J.D., 1977
Davidson College, B.S., 1973

Admissions

North Carolina Bar
Eastern, Middle and Western Districts, U.S. District Court
Fourth Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals
U.S. Supreme Court

Selected Experience

Serves as general counsel for N.C. Board of Nursing, N.C. Social Work Certification and Licensure Board, N.C. Board of Architecture, N.C. Board of Funeral Services, and N.C. Board of Opticians.
Serves as general counsel to numerous nonprofit boards, including Planned Parenthood Health Systems, Wake County SmartStart, North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE), N.C. Medical Society, N.C. Foundation for Public School Children, and Foundation for Nursing Excellence.
Represented clients before numerous occupational licensing boards including N.C. Real Estate Licensing Commission, N.C. Board of Pharmacy, N.C. Board of Psychology, N.C. Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, N.C. Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy, N.C. Board of Occupational Therapy, N.C. Board of Examiners for Engineers and Land Surveyors, and N.C. Board of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.
Represented N.C. Board of Dental Examiners against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in In the Matter of N.C. Board of Dental Examiners, Docket No. 9343.
Represented clients in over 100 hearings of the Office of Administrative Hearings.
Counsel of Record in over 60 appellate cases.
Litigated employment cases involving sexual harassment, EEOC claims, retaliation, and whistleblowers.
Litigated commercial cases involving Unfair Trade Practice claims, violation of non-compete agreements, violations of the N.C. Trade Secrets Act, professional defamation, and product disparagement.

Leadership & Public Service

Publicly elected member, Wake County Board of Commissioners, 1990-1994.
Chair, N.C. Bar Association Administrative Law Section, 1994-1995; Membership Services Committee, 2000-2002.
Regular presenter at Council on Legislative, Enforcement and Administration Regulation (CLEAR).
Co-Founder and legal counsel for Planned Parenthood of Greater Raleigh.
Co-Founder, board chair, and legal counsel Wake County SmartStart.
Scoutmaster and Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America, Occoneechee Council.
President, Occoneechee Council, BSA, 1997-1999.
Member, Wake Medical Center Board of Directors, 2009-2014.

Honors

Recognized by Best Lawyers in America in Administrative Law
Recognized as a Super Lawyer by North Carolina Super Lawyers.
Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell.*
* CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedure's standards and policies.

Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC
M. Jackson Nichols

Jack Nichols was born in Quantico, Virginia, and grew up in Charlotte, N.C. He has lived in Raleigh since 1978. He concentrates on public policy development and advocacy, administrative law, and civil litigation. His practice is augmented by his extensive government service, including elective office to the Board of Commissioners (1990-1994) of Wake County, the state's second largest county. He has taught Administrative Law and Constitutional Law at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Campbell University School of Law. He served as Deputy Legislative Liaison for Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., from 1983-1985, and worked in state government from 1978-1985 as legal counsel to the Secretaries of Administration and Human Resources.

Mr. Nichols represents ten state occupational licensing boards, and he has also represented clients before regulatory bodies such as the North Carolina Utilities Commission, North Carolina Banking Commission, North Carolina Industrial Commission, and the State Personnel Commission. Mr. Nichols has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America in Administrative Law since 2006 and as a "Super Lawyer" in North Carolina Super Lawyersince 2006. Mr. Nichols has also been recognized by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly as a 2014 Leader in the Law.

Practice

Public Policy, Administrative, Regulatory and Compliance, Professional and Occupational Licensing, Labor and Employment, Government, and Commercial Litigation

Education

Duke University, M.A. Public Policy, 1977
Wake Forest University School of Law, J.D., 1977
Davidson College, B.S., 1973

Admissions

North Carolina Bar
Eastern, Middle and Western Districts, U.S. District Court
Fourth Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals
U.S. Supreme Court

Selected Experience

Serves as general counsel for N.C. Board of Nursing, N.C. Social Work Certification and Licensure Board, N.C. Board of Architecture, N.C. Board of Funeral Services, and N.C. Board of Opticians.
Serves as general counsel to numerous nonprofit boards, including Planned Parenthood Health Systems, Wake County SmartStart, North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE), N.C. Medical Society, N.C. Foundation for Public School Children, and Foundation for Nursing Excellence.
Represented clients before numerous occupational licensing boards including N.C. Real Estate Licensing Commission, N.C. Board of Pharmacy, N.C. Board of Psychology, N.C. Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, N.C. Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy, N.C. Board of Occupational Therapy, N.C. Board of Examiners for Engineers and Land Surveyors, and N.C. Board of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.
Represented N.C. Board of Dental Examiners against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in In the Matter of N.C. Board of Dental Examiners, Docket No. 9343.
Represented clients in over 100 hearings of the Office of Administrative Hearings.
Counsel of Record in over 60 appellate cases.
Litigated employment cases involving sexual harassment, EEOC claims, retaliation, and whistleblowers.
Litigated commercial cases involving Unfair Trade Practice claims, violation of non-compete agreements, violations of the N.C. Trade Secrets Act, professional defamation, and product disparagement.

Leadership & Public Service

Publicly elected member, Wake County Board of Commissioners, 1990-1994.
Chair, N.C. Bar Association Administrative Law Section, 1994-1995; Membership Services Committee, 2000-2002.
Regular presenter at Council on Legislative, Enforcement and Administration Regulation (CLEAR).
Co-Founder and legal counsel for Planned Parenthood of Greater Raleigh.
Co-Founder, board chair, and legal counsel Wake County SmartStart.
Scoutmaster and Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America, Occoneechee Council.
President, Occoneechee Council, BSA, 1997-1999.
Member, Wake Medical Center Board of Directors, 2009-2014.

Honors

Recognized by Best Lawyers in America in Administrative Law
Recognized as a Super Lawyer by North Carolina Super Lawyers.
Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell.*
* CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedure's standards and policies.

Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC
Catherine Lee

Catherine E. Lee's legal practice focuses on employment law, administrative law, civil litigation, and contract disputes, with an emphasis on matters involving state occupational licensing boards and public employment.

Ms. Lee was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ms. Lee received a Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science with highest distinction in 2003. She attended law school at The University of Texas School of Law, where she received her JD with honors in 2006 and served as Co-Editor in Chief, Texas Journal of Women and the Law (2005-2006).

A member of the North Carolina Bar Association and the American Bar Association, in 2009, she received the N.C. Bar Association's Charles F. Blanchard Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. She served as a N.C. State Bar Delegate to the ABA's House of Delegates from 2009-2011, and has served as the Division Director and Secretary for the Young Lawyers Division of the N.C. Bar Association.

Practice

Labor and Employment, Administrative, Regulatory, Contract Disputes, Civil Litigation

Education

The University of Texas School of Law, JD, with honors, 2006
Co-Editor in Chief, Texas Journal of Women and the Law, 2005-2006
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA, with highest distinction, 2003

Admissions

North Carolina Bar
Fourth and Sixth Circuits, U.S. Court of Appeals
U.S. District Courts, Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
The U.S. Supreme Court

Leadership & Public Service

Member of the North Carolina Bar Association Board of Governors, 2015-2018.
Secretary for the Young Lawyers Division of the N.C. Bar Association, 2014.
N.C. State Bar Delegate to the ABA's House of Delegates from 2009-2011.
Member of the N.C. Bar Association Administrative Law Section Council.

Honors

N.C. Bar Association's Charles F. Blanchard Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, 2009.
Recognized as an outstanding young lawyer since 2012 by inclusion on the North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, which selects not more than 2.5 percent of North Carolina attorneys based on their high peer recognition and professional achievement.
Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell.*

* CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedure's standards and policies.

Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC
Catherine Lee

Catherine E. Lee's legal practice focuses on employment law, administrative law, civil litigation, and contract disputes, with an emphasis on matters involving state occupational licensing boards and public employment.

Ms. Lee was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ms. Lee received a Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science with highest distinction in 2003. She attended law school at The University of Texas School of Law, where she received her JD with honors in 2006 and served as Co-Editor in Chief, Texas Journal of Women and the Law (2005-2006).

A member of the North Carolina Bar Association and the American Bar Association, in 2009, she received the N.C. Bar Association's Charles F. Blanchard Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. She served as a N.C. State Bar Delegate to the ABA's House of Delegates from 2009-2011, and has served as the Division Director and Secretary for the Young Lawyers Division of the N.C. Bar Association.

Practice

Labor and Employment, Administrative, Regulatory, Contract Disputes, Civil Litigation

Education

The University of Texas School of Law, JD, with honors, 2006
Co-Editor in Chief, Texas Journal of Women and the Law, 2005-2006
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA, with highest distinction, 2003

Admissions

North Carolina Bar
Fourth and Sixth Circuits, U.S. Court of Appeals
U.S. District Courts, Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
The U.S. Supreme Court

Leadership & Public Service

Member of the North Carolina Bar Association Board of Governors, 2015-2018.
Secretary for the Young Lawyers Division of the N.C. Bar Association, 2014.
N.C. State Bar Delegate to the ABA's House of Delegates from 2009-2011.
Member of the N.C. Bar Association Administrative Law Section Council.

Honors

N.C. Bar Association's Charles F. Blanchard Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, 2009.
Recognized as an outstanding young lawyer since 2012 by inclusion on the North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, which selects not more than 2.5 percent of North Carolina attorneys based on their high peer recognition and professional achievement.
Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell.*

* CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedure's standards and policies.

Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC
Anna Baird Choi

Anna Baird Choi is a native of Raleigh. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with degrees in Economics and Political Science in 1990 and earned her law degree from Campbell University in 1994. Her practice focuses on administrative law and regulatory law. She served as the first law clerk at the N.C. Office of Administrative Hearings (1994-1997) and as Assistant Attorney General in the N.C. Department of Justice (1997-2000).

Since 2002, Ms. Choi has served as counsel to the N.C. Licensing Board for General Contractors. She advises the General Contractor's Board and eight other occupational licensing boards represented on all matters including licensing, minimum qualifications, rulemaking, disciplinary actions, and personnel issues. Additionally, she represents individuals and businesses before other N.C. licensing boards and agencies. Representative professions and businesses include: real estate brokers, plumbers, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, pharmacists, retail pharmacies, and licensed child care facilities. Ms. Choi currently serves as a Commissioner on the N.C. Rules Review Commission. She is also the former Chair for the Administrative Law Council of the N.C. Bar Association.

Practice
Administrative, Regulatory, Labor and Employment, Regulatory Compliance, Professional and Occupational Licensing, Public Policy

Education
Campbell University School of Law, J.D., 1994
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., 1990

Admissions
North Carolina Bar
Eastern District of North Carolina, U.S. District Court
Western District of North Carolina, U.S. District Court
U.S. Supreme Court

Selected Experience
Counsel for the N.C. Licensing Board for General Contractors, N.C. Board of Nursing, N.C. Social Work Certification and Licensure Board, N.C. Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators, and N.C. Board of Funeral Services.
Represents clients before numerous occupational/professional licensing boards including N.C. Real Estate Commission, N.C. Board of Pharmacy, N.C. Medical Board, and N.C. Board of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.
Represents child care centers before the N.C. Division of Child Development.
Serves as independent hearing officer in personnel grievances filed by State employees.

Leadership & Public Service
Tenth Judicial District Bar and Wake County Bar Association Board of Directors, Member, 2015-present.
N.C. Bar Association, Administrative Law Section Chair, 2013-2014.
N.C. Rules Review Commission, Commissioner, 2012-2014.
Helene Foundation, Board Member, 2013-present.
Marbles Kids Museum, Board of Directors Member, 2007-2012.
Junior League of Raleigh, Member, 1996 to present. Past leadership positions include:
Vice President of Training;
Annual Fund Chair;
Government Relations and Public Affairs Chair;
Training Chair; and
Membership Development Chair.
N.C. Society Daughters of the American Revolution, State Parliamentarian, 2009-present.
Wake County Courthouse KidsCenter, Board of Directors Member and Board Secretary, 2000-2004.
Wake County Commission for Women, Commissioner, 2002-2003.
Capital City Clauses, Board of Directors and Board Treasurer, 1999-2001.

Honors
Listed with Best Lawyers as one of only 13 North Carolina lawyers in the Administrative Law practice area.
Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell.*

* CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedure's standards and policies.

Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC
Anna Baird Choi

Anna Baird Choi is a native of Raleigh. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with degrees in Economics and Political Science in 1990 and earned her law degree from Campbell University in 1994. Her practice focuses on administrative law and regulatory law. She served as the first law clerk at the N.C. Office of Administrative Hearings (1994-1997) and as Assistant Attorney General in the N.C. Department of Justice (1997-2000).

Since 2002, Ms. Choi has served as counsel to the N.C. Licensing Board for General Contractors. She advises the General Contractor's Board and eight other occupational licensing boards represented on all matters including licensing, minimum qualifications, rulemaking, disciplinary actions, and personnel issues. Additionally, she represents individuals and businesses before other N.C. licensing boards and agencies. Representative professions and businesses include: real estate brokers, plumbers, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, pharmacists, retail pharmacies, and licensed child care facilities. Ms. Choi currently serves as a Commissioner on the N.C. Rules Review Commission. She is also the former Chair for the Administrative Law Council of the N.C. Bar Association.

Practice
Administrative, Regulatory, Labor and Employment, Regulatory Compliance, Professional and Occupational Licensing, Public Policy

Education
Campbell University School of Law, J.D., 1994
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., 1990

Admissions
North Carolina Bar
Eastern District of North Carolina, U.S. District Court
Western District of North Carolina, U.S. District Court
U.S. Supreme Court

Selected Experience
Counsel for the N.C. Licensing Board for General Contractors, N.C. Board of Nursing, N.C. Social Work Certification and Licensure Board, N.C. Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators, and N.C. Board of Funeral Services.
Represents clients before numerous occupational/professional licensing boards including N.C. Real Estate Commission, N.C. Board of Pharmacy, N.C. Medical Board, and N.C. Board of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.
Represents child care centers before the N.C. Division of Child Development.
Serves as independent hearing officer in personnel grievances filed by State employees.

Leadership & Public Service
Tenth Judicial District Bar and Wake County Bar Association Board of Directors, Member, 2015-present.
N.C. Bar Association, Administrative Law Section Chair, 2013-2014.
N.C. Rules Review Commission, Commissioner, 2012-2014.
Helene Foundation, Board Member, 2013-present.
Marbles Kids Museum, Board of Directors Member, 2007-2012.
Junior League of Raleigh, Member, 1996 to present. Past leadership positions include:
Vice President of Training;
Annual Fund Chair;
Government Relations and Public Affairs Chair;
Training Chair; and
Membership Development Chair.
N.C. Society Daughters of the American Revolution, State Parliamentarian, 2009-present.
Wake County Courthouse KidsCenter, Board of Directors Member and Board Secretary, 2000-2004.
Wake County Commission for Women, Commissioner, 2002-2003.
Capital City Clauses, Board of Directors and Board Treasurer, 1999-2001.

Honors
Listed with Best Lawyers as one of only 13 North Carolina lawyers in the Administrative Law practice area.
Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell.*

* CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedure's standards and policies.

Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC
Christina D. Cress

Position: Senior Associate
Email: christina@ncl-law.com

Originally from small town Florida, Christina fell in love with North Carolina when she moved to Chapel Hill in 2010 to attend law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Save for traveling, she hasn't left the state since. Before law school, Ms. Cress graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a Master of Arts in International Business.

Immediately prior to joining Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC, Ms. Cress served as a Staff Attorney at the North Carolina Utilities Commission, where she spent the majority of her time advising the Commission regarding the implementation of regulatory structures to govern new State energy programs created by the passage of House Bill 589 (S.L. 2017-192), "Competitive Energy Solutions for NC."

Before joining Commission Staff, Ms. Cress served as in-house counsel to the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service and, for a time, the Interim Executive Director. At the Board, she prosecuted alleged violations of the Board's Practice Act, advised the Board on compliance with State and federal law, and served as the Board's Ethics Liaison, Rulemaking Coordinator, Records Custodian, and Legislative Liaison.

Immediately after law school, Ms. Cress spent her first two years in practice defending insurance companies and their insured clients from a variety of civil litigation claims. During this time, she single-chaired a three-day Wake County Superior Court jury trial, seven District Court bench trials, and litigated numerous cases from the pleadings phase through adjudication or settlement.

Outside of the office, Christina usually is immersed in reading for her book club or playing with her rescue dog, George the beagle mix.

License

Bar Number: 45963
North Carolina, 2013

Education

University of Florida
B.S., 2010

University of Florida
M.A., 2010

University of North Carolina School of Law
J.D., 2013

Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC
Christina D. Cress

Position: Senior Associate
Email: christina@ncl-law.com

Originally from small town Florida, Christina fell in love with North Carolina when she moved to Chapel Hill in 2010 to attend law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Save for traveling, she hasn't left the state since. Before law school, Ms. Cress graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a Master of Arts in International Business.

Immediately prior to joining Nichols, Choi & Lee, PLLC, Ms. Cress served as a Staff Attorney at the North Carolina Utilities Commission, where she spent the majority of her time advising the Commission regarding the implementation of regulatory structures to govern new State energy programs created by the passage of House Bill 589 (S.L. 2017-192), "Competitive Energy Solutions for NC."

Before joining Commission Staff, Ms. Cress served as in-house counsel to the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service and, for a time, the Interim Executive Director. At the Board, she prosecuted alleged violations of the Board's Practice Act, advised the Board on compliance with State and federal law, and served as the Board's Ethics Liaison, Rulemaking Coordinator, Records Custodian, and Legislative Liaison.

Immediately after law school, Ms. Cress spent her first two years in practice defending insurance companies and their insured clients from a variety of civil litigation claims. During this time, she single-chaired a three-day Wake County Superior Court jury trial, seven District Court bench trials, and litigated numerous cases from the pleadings phase through adjudication or settlement.

Outside of the office, Christina usually is immersed in reading for her book club or playing with her rescue dog, George the beagle mix.

License

Bar Number: 45963
North Carolina, 2013

Education

University of Florida B.S., 2010


University of Florida M.A., 2010


University of North Carolina School of Law J.D., 2013


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