Nicholas M. Krebs represents and advises clients as a Partner 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, arbitration, and trials. He also guides public entities and private clients across a diverse range of other claims and venues.
- Secured complete dismissal of federal RICO claims and associated causes of action against construction management firm on multi-billion dollar public works project at the preliminary motion to dismiss stage, including an award of attorneys’ fees’ and costs for violations of his client’s constitutional rights
- Defended complex commercial and residential construction defect claims, including claims for professional negligence against engineers, architects, developers, general contractors, and subcontractors from large bridge and road infrastructure public works projects, to mixed-use commercial projects, as well as residential developments alleging multi-million dollar costs of repair damages
- Secured complete dismissal of product liability claims against crane manufacturer through favorable settlement terms in federal litigation asserting design and manufacturing defects that allegedly caused significant personal injury damages
- Won summary judgment for large contractor against residential owner who failed to pay for the work performed and had alleged that contractor’s defective and incomplete work resulted in water and mold injuries
- Obtained early dismissal for global confectionary company who was incorrectly named as a defendant in a litigation alleging significant damages before having to formally respond in the case
- Won discovery abuse and terminating sanctions motions for professional services client against statutory violation and unfair business practices causes of action, resulting in complete dismissal of the case
- Argued and prevailed on numerous Motions to Dismiss, Discovery Motions, Motions to Continue Trial, and other procedural motions before Courts and Arbitrators
- Obtained dismissals and significant attorneys’ fees awards after prevailing on anti-SLAPP motions concerning clients’ free speech rights and rights to petition the government
- Deposed and defended hundreds of witnesses for both in-person and virtual depositions in commercial, construction, employment, and personal injury litigations and arbitrations
- Negotiated cost-effective settlements for collections matters involving breach of contract for non-payment and other claims involving commercial transactions
- 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 international and national companies and brands on claims involving breach of contract, unfair competition, and negligence in 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
- 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)
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
- 9/11 National Day of Service
- Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
- Equal Justice America Fellow at Public Counsel, Center for Veterans’ Advancement, 2014
Education
- J.D., Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, 2015, Dean’s Honor List
- Editor, International and Comparative Law Review
- B.A., cum laude, The Ohio State University, 2012
- Pre-Law Program through the University of Oxford, St. Anne’s College, 2011
Honors
- Best Lawyers in America® Ones to Watch distinction in Commercial Litigation (2022-2025)
- Law Clerk, Unlimited Civil Division, Los Angeles County Superior Court
- Judicial Extern, Hon. Harry Pregerson, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Judicial Extern, Hon. Margaret Morrow, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- GRAMMY Foundation, 15th Entertainment Law Initiative Finalist
- International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy Graduate (49th Annual Academy)