Nick Dellefave

Nicholas Dellefave is a trial and appellate litigation attorney in Holland & Knight's Washington, D.C., and Newport Beach offices. Mr. Dellefave focuses on complex business litigation, with a particular emphasis in the real estate and technology sectors.

Mr. Dellefave has successfully represented national and international clients in all phases of high-stakes state and federal litigation, effectively utilizing the tools of discovery and pre- and post-trial motion practice to secure favorable results and protect the interests of his clients. Mr. Dellefave prides himself on providing clients with strategic, practical solutions to complex legal issues, and he routinely works with clients to develop tailored approaches to litigation that align with their business objectives.

Mr. Dellefave has extensive experience representing real estate developers, owners and investors in disputes arising from large, high-value real estate projects. His deep understanding of the industry and the legal issues that surround it enables him to effectively advocate for his clients' interests, which is reflected in his track record of success at trial and on appeal. Mr. Dellefave's real estate engagements have included disputes between business partners and investors, litigation against municipalities and lawsuits related to construction, easement/boundary issues and eminent domain.

Mr. Dellefave also regularly represents clients in technology-related lawsuits, where he leverages his engineering background to "bridge the gap" between clients in sophisticated technical fields and the courts that decide their cases. His clients have included companies in the healthcare, energy, logistics, automotive and defense spaces, and he has litigated issues involving trade secrets, data security, defense technologies and medical devices, including product liability and federal False Claims Act (FCA) and Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) claims.

In addition to his real estate and technology practices, Mr. Dellefave frequently handles complex business litigation matters, including commercial disputes, corporate shareholder and securities litigation, class action defense, and defamation and First Amendment lawsuits. His experience also includes challenges to the validity and constitutionality of state administrative regulations.

Mr. Dellefave maintains an active pro bono practice, providing legal guidance and representation to low-income individuals and nonprofit organizations in both the National Capital Region and Southern California.

While in law school, Mr. Dellefave worked in the New York State Science and Technology Law Center, where he helped companies develop and implement commercialization strategies for emerging technologies. In this role, Mr. Dellefave drew on his engineering training and passion for technology to guide inventors and technology companies through protecting their intellectual property and obtaining regulatory approvals. Mr. Dellefave also interned for the Honorable David E. Peebles of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.