Attorney Profiles

Joel P. Nichols has been an associate attorney of Deno, Millikan, Dale, Decker, Petersen & Nichols, PLLC for five years. In February, 2007, Joel became a partner in the firm. Mr. Nichols enjoys representing individuals in criminal defense, personal injury, employment, small business and family matters.

Joel grew up in Washington State, and attended Seattle Pacific University and the University of Washington where in 1998 he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. In August 1992, he earned his Juris Doctor degree, graduating from the University of Puget Sound School of Law. Joel is a member of the Washington State and Snohomish County Bar Associations, and is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.

Joel's law practice emphasizes criminal defense, defense of DUI/DWI charges, employment law and personal injury practice, representing the interests of the injured. Joel is active in advancing the rights of individuals in these areas. In 2006, Joel successfully completed training for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Student Course in Las Vegas, Nevada. Joel is an active member of the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (WACDL), the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD), Washington State Trial Lawyer's Association (WSTLA), and the Washington Employment Lawyer's Association (WELA).

Joel's interest in employment law is long standing. During the years from 1999 through 2002, he was the Director of the Unemployment Law Project in Seattle, helping indigent workers obtain unemployment benefits. During this time, he also served on the Unemployment Insurance Advisory Committee of the Washington State Employment Security Department. In 2005-2006, Joel was the Employment Section Chair of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association. Joel has taught at numerous seminars on employment issues. He volunteers for the SCBA family law clinic and the KCBA Homelessness and Newcomer's Project.

In addition to the practice of law, Mr. Nichols enjoys golfing, music, acting, fishing and coaching his daughter's baseball team.