Biography
Nicole Valentine earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a pre-law emphasis from the University of Central Florida, graduating in 2001. She obtained her law degree from McGeorge School of Law in 2005, graduating with recognition on the Dean’s list during her last semester. Ms. Valentine was admitted to the California State Bar in 2006.
Nicole began her legal career as an assistant public defender with Richard Ciummo and Associates from 2006 to 2013, where she tried several cases to verdict. Most recently, she served as the managing attorney for the Professional Licensing Division at Goyette, Ruano & Thompson in Gold River, supervising attorneys and support staff. She is a skilled attorney with a strong background in professional licensing defense and criminal defense of licensed professionals. Nicole has successfully defended clients before various regulatory boards, achieving closures of complaints, dismissals of accusations, and non-disciplinary citations and fines.
Ms. Valentine is licensed to practice law in the Eastern District of California and is a member of the National Council of Jewish Women in Sacramento.
Nicole began her legal career as an assistant public defender with Richard Ciummo and Associates from 2006 to 2013, where she tried several cases to verdict. Most recently, she served as the managing attorney for the Professional Licensing Division at Goyette, Ruano & Thompson in Gold River, supervising attorneys and support staff. She is a skilled attorney with a strong background in professional licensing defense and criminal defense of licensed professionals. Nicole has successfully defended clients before various regulatory boards, achieving closures of complaints, dismissals of accusations, and non-disciplinary citations and fines.
Ms. Valentine is licensed to practice law in the Eastern District of California and is a member of the National Council of Jewish Women in Sacramento.
Education
- McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, Sacramento, California
- Juris Doctorate - 2005
- Honors: Dean’s List, Fall 2005
- Honors: Mentored a Sacramento High School student as part of a criminal justice program in partnership with UOP McGeorge School of Law
- University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
- B.A., Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a Pre-Law Emphasis - 2001
- Honors: Bright Futures Scholarship
- University of Northampton, Northampton, UK
- International Study Abroad, Summer Semester - 1999
Bar Admission
- California, 2006
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of California
Professional Associations
- State Bar of California
- National Council of Jewish Women, Sacramento
Current Employment Position
- Sr. Associate Attorney
Past Positions
- Goyette, Ruano & Thompson, Gold River, California, Managing Attorney, Professional Licensing Division, 2013 to 2025
- Richard Ciummo and Associates, Auburn, California, Assistant Public Defender, 2006 to 2013