Nikki Marcotte

Associate Litigation

Chicago +1 312 862 1259

Nikki Marcotte

Overview

Nikki Marcotte is a litigation associate in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Their practice primarily centers on complex commercial litigation in both federal and state trial courts. They have a broad range of experience representing clients in matters involving white collar defense and government investigations, trade secrets, antitrust, contract disputes, employment defense litigation, toxic torts and product liability.

Judicial Law ClerkHonorable Melissa T. StandridgeKansas Supreme Court2020–2021

Judicial Law ClerkHonorable Melissa T. Standridge, Honorable Karen Arnold-Berger and Honorable G. Joseph PierronKansas Court of Appeals2019–2020

Nikki is incredibly passionate about pro bono work, focusing largely on prisoner civil rights litigation, wrongful incarceration claims and LGBTQ+ advocacy.

More

Thought Leadership

Publications

Author, “Navigating Illinois's Newly Admitted Attorney Requirements: A Guide for New Illinois Lawyers,” Young Lawyers Section Journal of the CBA Record, January/February 2023

Author, “Post-Dobbs Pro Bono Work: Chicagoland LGBTQ+ Advocacy Groups that Need Our Help,” Young Lawyers Section Journal of the CBA Record, September/October 2022

Speaking Engagements

Panelist, “LGBTQ+ Employment Protections Under Title VII and Illinois State Law,” Joint CBA LGBTQ+ and Employment Law Committees CLE, October 2023

Panelist, “We Are Here: Living and Lawyering Bisexuality,” Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession LGBTQ+ History Month Webinar, October 2023

Moderator, “Beyond the Binary,” National LGBTQ+ Bar Association's Lavender Law Conference, July 2023

Recognition

National Association of Women Lawyers 2024 Rising Attorney

Memberships & Affiliations

Chicago Bar Association

  • Editor-in-Chief, YLS Journal
  • CBA Editorial Board
  • YLS Executive Council
  • Vice Chair, CBA LGBTQ+ Committee

LAGBAC Chicago's LGBTQ+ Bar Association

Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association

Illinois State Bar Association

National LGBTQ+ Bar Association

National Association of Women Lawyers

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 2021Illinois
  • 2019Kansas
  • 2017Missouri

Courts

  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Education

  • University of Kansas School of LawJ.D.2017

    CALI Awards in Lawyering Skills I, Expert Witness Skills Workshop and Topics in Family Law

    Moot Court Council 

    Finalist, Wechsler First Amendment Moot Court Competition

    Student Director, Project For Innocence

    Chief Justice, KU Court of Parking Appeals

  • Kansas State UniversityB.A., Philosophy & French (Pre-Law Concentration)2010

    Dean's List 

    Pi Delta Phi National French Honor Society 

    Kansas State Foundation Scholar

    Philosophy Departmental Scholar

    Mock Trial Team

    Debate Team