Practice Areas
Education
Michigan State University College of Law, J.D., 2006
The Ohio State University, B.A., 2003, Criminology and Political Science
Bar and Court Admissions
U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
All Michigan State Courts
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Nichole Jongsma Derks
Nichole joined Foster Swift in 2009 as a member of the General Litigation Group. She was formerly an associate at the Reynolds Law Firm and accompanied Frank Reynolds when he moved to Foster Swift. Her practice focuses in the areas of criminal defense, domestic relations, family law and criminal prosecution for municipalities.
Nichole has extraordinary courtroom experience for an associate attorney. She handles all types of criminal cases in state and federal courts. Additionally, she represents parents seeking to maintain their rights and assists parties through divorce, child custody, and adoption situations. Nichole also assists with USCIS applications and matters before the U.S. Immigration Court. She sustains relationships with a wide range of experts which are key in helping her to achieve optimal results for clients. It's for these reasons that Nichole is such a sought after criminal defense lawyer in Lansing.
She has published several articles for the Ingham County Bar Association, the American Bar Association and other publications.
Born in Zeeland, Michigan, Nichole spent her undergraduate years at Ohio State University, where she majored in Criminology and Political Science. She received her juris doctorate from the Michigan State University College of Law.
News
- Changing Family Units Create Demand for Parent-Child Law Practice, February 26, 2010
- Nichole J. Derks Joins Foster Swift, January 1, 2009
Speaking Engagements
- Ask a Lawyer, Michigan Township Association, January 26, 2011
- Domestic Violence, Resources, and Impact on Families, "In Her Shoes" Radio Show, July 17, 2010
- Criminal Deferrals and Expungement, Ingham County Criminal Law Seminar, May 2010
- Proposed Legislation to Eliminate No-Fault Divorce in Michigan, Michael Patrick Shiels in the Morning Show, March 1, 2010
- Child Custody and Parenting Time Nuts and Bolts, Foster Swift Family Law In House CLE, February 26, 2009
- Practical Pointers for Plea Hearings, Ingham County Court Appointed Counsel Training, January 24, 2009
Publications
- Municipalities Given Greater Flexibility To Share Services, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, January 2012
- Proposed Legislation Would Allow Local Municipalities to Prosecute “Super Drunks”, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, November 2011
- Will Medical Marijuana Users be Effectively Barred From Driving?, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, April 2011
- Municipal Prosecutions of Drunk Driving Under the New “Super Drunk” Law, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, October 2010
- Recent Events Regarding the Medical Marijuana Act – A Flurry of Activity Tries to Clarify Foggy Law, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, October 2010
- Michigan’s New Texting Ban Effective July 1, 2010, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, July 2010
Memberships & Affiliations
Legal Affiliations:
- State Bar of Michigan
- District E Character and Fitness Committee
- Standing Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence and Practice
- Ingham County Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association, Western Michigan Chapter
- American Bar Association
Industry & Professional Associations:
- American Inns of Court, Michigan State University Chapter
- Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan
- Women Lawyers Association of Michigan
- ATHENA Women's Interest Network
- Lansing Teen Court Program, Volunteer Honorary Judge
