Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Castronovo.
Hi Nicole, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I currently work throughout courthouses in Southern California as a criminal defense attorney. I work on high-profile media cases representing first responders in criminal cases.
I started my career answering phones at age 20 in a law firm and now at the ripe old age of 37, I can proudly say I have 17 years of legal experience- 11 years as a legal assistant and six years as a lawyer.
While I worked my way though college, I held a variety of odd jobs in addition to my law firm gig. Some of those included – a television extra (my claim to fame being on Entourage), I worked doing promotions of vodka and protein drinks, I modeled, catered and I even once worked as a wedding photographer.
After working through college, I saved money for a few years and attended law school. During law school, I held some memorable internships including one at the Weinstein Company and at the Orange County District Attorney’s Homicide Unit.
Some of my recent successes have been a full acquittal on a felony vehicular manslaughter case, an acquittal after a jury trial for the first officer-involved shooting charged in 20 years in LA and a hung jury on a vehicular manslaughter case.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a windy road, but I made it.
I was raised in the Valley and dreamed of moving to New York after high school. My father got diagnosed with cancer in my senior year so I decided to stay close to home and attend Cal State Northridge. When my father died my last semester of college, I dropped out and did not return for three years.
While I was at CSUN I thought I potentially wanted to be a lawyer. Before I invested so much time and money into grad school, I decided I should first work in a law firm and decide if it was for me. So at age 20, I took a job as a receptionist in a law firm and I haven’t looked back.
After 8 years of working as a legal assistant, I saved the money to attend law school. During my time as an attorney I have had three kids and at one point became a single mom after my first two. Going through that experience gave me an awe for single mothers I will never forget. There is nothing more heavy than knowing that everyone is truly counting on you.
Three weeks ago, I was in trial in Long Beach while I was pregnant with my third son. While I was picking a jury, my uterus ruptured and I had to be rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. Through the quick work of my work colleague and Long Beach Fire – my baby and I miraculously survived. After my procedure, doctors told me I was minutes away from cardiac arrest. I now have a beautiful baby boy and the trial resulted in a hung jury 10-2 in favor of acquittal.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I love to collaborate with others – it is probably my favorite part of my job. The exchange of ideas with people who will be completely honest with me is vital to my success.
Support to me is checking in. I am so lucky to have a circle of friends who send me texts and encouraging words throughout the week that really get me through.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Nic_rachel_
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-castronovo-esq-28498076
Image Credits
Jamie.the photographer @ instagram
