professional bio
Nicholas M. McLaughlin has dedicated his legal career exclusively to workers’ compensation defense, having entered the field in a defense support capacity before graduating from law school and taking on all aspects of client representation. He brings an aggressive approach to representing employers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators in complex litigation. In so doing, he maintains a dual focus at all times, to both push his files to a negotiated settlement and, when it will more effectively accomplish his clients' needs, to bring them to trial.
Mr. McLaughlin's career has taken him before WCAB district offices throughout California, though he is particularly knowledgeable about strategies and idiosyncrasies of the Applicants' Attorneys and WCJs at the Van Nuys, Los Angeles, and Pomona Boards.
Mr. McLaughlin earned his Juris Doctor from the Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law, graduating cum laude with a certificate from the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution. While in law school, he honed his litigation and analytical skills by serving on the editorial board of the Pepperdine Law Review and competing on the university's trial team.
Originally from Gallup, New Mexico, Mr. McLaughlin pursued a Great Books education at Gutenberg College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree. He later earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Northwest Christian University (now Bushnell University) and worked as a special education substitute — a background that provides him with a unique perspective on a wide range of employment and educational issues.
In his personal time, Nicholas is an avid reader and enjoys cooking. He is also a regular podcast listener and a fan of competitive strategy games, including chess and bridge.
Education & Memberships
2022 Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law, Malibu, CA
Juris Doctor
2018 Bushnell University, Eugene, OR
Master of Arts (Teaching)
2017 Gutenberg College, Eugene, OR
Bachelor of Arts (Liberal Arts)
2023 State Bar of California
