Nicole Barkowski

Attorney
Background

Originally from Massachusetts. Nicole graduated from Salem State University in 2005 Magnum Cum Laude with a B.S. in Political Science. Thereafter, Nicole went on the John Marshall Law School receiving her J.D. in 2008. During law school, Nicole participated in the summer study abroad program focused on Comparative and European Law in Czech Republic. Nicole also participated in the International Human Rights Spring Human Rights program to Israel and Palestine.  In addition, Nicole worked with Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago as part of the Predatory Lending Seminar helping Chicago homeowners fight predatory lending practices.

Career

Nicole started her career after law school, working with Richard R. Mottweiler, assisting him with his criminal practice. In that capacity, she assisted in pretrial court appearances for felony and misdemeanor cases in Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, Will County, and the Northern District of Illinois. In January 2012, Richard Mottweiler partnered with Mark Smolens, forming Mottweiler & Smolens, LLP. Nicole began concentrating almost exclusively in 1983 police misconduct cases and civil rights violations in the jail setting. In February of 2020, Nicole began working with Coffman Law Offices, PC.

Professional License

Nicole is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois and admitted to practice in the Northern District of Illinois and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.