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. 

Nicholas routinely handles all aspects of litigation, arbitration, and trial, 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. His extensive experience in dispute resolution also provides unique insights for counseling businesses, public entities, and professionals on compliance, risk management, and transactional issues. Often, he can anticipate and resolve potential issues before they occur through exceptional service and prompt 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 legal journals, pro bono legal services for indigent veterans in the Los Angeles area, and leadership roles 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 also 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

• 9/11 National Day of Service
• Los Angeles Regional Food Bank 
• Equal Justice America Fellow at Public Counsel, Center for Veterans’ Advancement, 2014 

• 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 

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)