Atty. Steven A. Nichols
Steve Nichols has over 30 years of experience as a construction and commercial law and litigation specialist, and is co-chair of Rutan’s Construction Law Group. He represents prime and specialty contractors, manufacturers and suppliers, institutional and private owners, developers, builders, design professionals, lenders, insurers, distributors, and others in business and construction law matters.
Profile Summary
About Steven A. Nichols at a glance
Steven A. Nichols is a construction attorney based in Irvine, California, practicing at Rutan & Tucker LLP. They have 46+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1980. Admitted to practice in California (1980). Educated at University of Southern California (J.D., 1980). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Construction Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serands clients in Irvine, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Steve Nichols has over 30 years of experience as a construction and commercial law and litigation specialist, and is co-chair of Rutan’s Construction Law Group
- He represents prime and specialty contractors, manufacturers and suppliers, institutional and private owners, developers, builders, design professionals, lenders, insurers, distributors, and others in business and construction law matters
- Steve has assisted clients in negotiating and drafting a wide array of construction and commercial agreements, and has extensive experience and an impeccable record as a courtroom trial lawyer, including matters involving large infrastructure projects, transit and highway projects, commercial structures, power plant construction and financing arrangements, public facility development and construction, manufacturing and other facilities
- He has extensive experience in state, federal and appellate courts, arbitration and mediation proceedings, and also serves as an arbitrator on the American Arbitration Association’s large complex case panel of arbitrators
- Most recently, Steve was selected as one of California’s Top 100 Lawyers chosen by the Daily Journal, and has also been voted by OC Metro as one of their “Top 25.” He achieved these honors for his exemplary courtroom victories, extensive construction law transactional experience, numerous large awards, and significant settlements including several large awards against the California Department of Transportation, among others
Practice Areas Explained
Steven A. Nichols's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Steven A. Nichols handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Steven A. Nichols is one of 40,689 construction attorneys indexed nationally. Browse construction attorneys in California →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in California
Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Irvine are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Irvine or all attorneys in California.
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