Nicholas M. Krebs represents and advises clients as an attorney in the Commercial Litigation and Construction Practice Groups at GRSM. His practice focuses on the defense of companies and professionals in the Construction and Real Estate industries, including complex claims for construction defects, products liability, professional negligence, breach of contract, and related claims in litigation and arbitration.  In addition, his experience includes representing and advising clients in the hospitality, restaurant, retail, financial, medical, and entertainment industries across a diverse range of claims and venues. 

Nicholas routinely handles all aspects of litigation and arbitration, navigating his clients through the legal process to achieve successful, lasting, and efficient results. As an advocate both inside and out of the courtroom, he draws upon his intimate understanding of judicial decision making and civil procedure to produce winning strategies in disputes large and small. Beyond dispute resolution, his practice also includes counseling businesses, executives, and professionals on compliance, risk management, and transactional issues. Nicholas takes pride in developing solutions that address his clients’ legal and business needs, through exceptional service and communication. 

Prior to entering private practice, Nicholas clerked for judges in the Los Angeles County Superior Court where he was responsible for the daily law and motion calendars in the nation’s largest trial court system. His training also included externships with federal judges on the Central District of California and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals while in law school. His prior work includes award-winning and peer-reviewed publications in national journals, pro bono legal services for indigent veterans in the Los Angeles area, and as a leader with local bar associations.   

In addition to his legal practice, Nicholas maintains an active presence in his community, including as a volunteer with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to assist the food insecure. He enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and exploring the great outdoors. 
 

Admissions

• California
• District of Columbia
• U.S. District Courts, California
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Memberships

• Los Angeles County Bar Association
• Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Association, Chairperson (2019-2021)

Community Involvement

• Los Angeles Regional Food Bank 
• Equal Justice America Fellow at Public Counsel, Center for Veterans’ Advancement, 2014 

• Defended complex commercial and residential construction defect claims against general contractors and developers involving bridge and road infrastructure projects, mixed-use projects, and California’s SB-800 building standards in large single-family home developments alleging significant Cost of Repair damages 
• Secured dismissal of claims against crane manufacturer through favorable settlement in federal products liability litigation asserting design defects and significant personal injury damages 
• Prevailed on Motion for Summary Judgment in defense of construction client against owner alleging damages for defective and incomplete work in connection with water and mold abatement services
• Obtained significant attorney’s fees award after prevailing on anti-SLAPP motion concerning client’s negative Yelp review
• Argued and prevailed on Motions to Dismiss, Discovery Motions, Motions to Continue Trial, and other procedural motions before Courts and Arbitrators 
• Deposed and defended key witnesses for both in-person and through virtual depositions in construction, employment, and personal injury cases and arbitrations
• Negotiated cost-effective settlements for collections matters involving breach of contract for non-payment and  ADA-accessibility claims involving tenants and owners offering public accommodations
• Spearheaded background investigations, accident reconstructions, computer forensics investigations for litigation claims and internal investigations 
• Managed and organized e-discovery databases and platforms for large and complex productions of electronically stored information and documents during litigations and arbitrations
• Defended national companies and brands on claims involving breach of contract, unfair competition, and negligence on a consumer class-action and commercial disputes
• Secured favorable results in defense of homeowner’s associations against claims of breach of contract and selective enforcement of the Codes, Covenants, and Restrictions, over-assessment of dues, breach of fiduciary duty, and slander of title claims
• Prepared and negotiated commercial contracts, including but not limited to construction contracts, master services agreements, real estate disclosures and sale documents, intellectual property transfers and licensing, and entity formation 

Publications

• Updated Guidance for Construction Projects in Los Angeles County, GRSM COVID-19 Hub (2020)
• Essential Construction Projects In California: Can You Keep Working And How?, GRSM COVID-19 Hub (2020)
• Contemplating Compliance: AB 3018 and the Skilled and Trained Workforce Requirements, Construction Claims Magazine (2020)
• AB 3018 and the Skilled and Trained Workforce Requirements in California, GRSM Construction Law Blog (2019) 
• A Lawyer’s Guide to Skiing the American West, GRSM, Product and General Liability Publications (2019) 
• Drones! UAS Innovations Soar in the Entertainment Industry, California Locations Conference Magazine, California Film Commission (2015)
• British Cures for American Foreclosure Woes: A Comparative Analysis of Foreclosure Law in the United States and United Kingdom, 15 Chicago-Kent Journal of International and Comparative Law 67 (2015)
• Covering Losses: SoundExchange’s Role in the Next Generation of Artists, 30 Entertainment and Sports Lawyer 7 (2013)