Biography

Over the course of Nicholas W. Heldt's active trial career, he has tried or arbitrated more than 100 cases in areas of law including labor and employment, construction injuries and contract disputes, toxic chemical exposures, and particularly intentional torts. 

Within the intentional tort area, Mr. Heldt has handled civil cases arising out of murder, arson, wiretapping and sexual assault, among others. He has tried civil cases alleging kidnapping, assault, child molestation, defamation, fraud, as well as other intentional torts and statutory offenses.

Mr. Heldt has also handled many employment-related claims alleging discrimination on the basis of age, race, sex, marital status, pregnancy, religion and disability, as well as claims involving sexual harassment, wrongful termination, refusal to pay benefits, defamation and invasion of privacy.

Mr. Heldt represents day-care centers and schools, youth and religious organizations in civil litigation arising from personal injuries, contract disputes, employment disputes, licensing disputes, and claims of physical and sexual mistreatment. He also represents religious organizations and youth groups in sexual molestation cases.

Memberships & Honors

He is active in the Professional Association for Childhood Education (PACE), and frequently conducts workshops concerning liability exposures for PACE members. He is a former keynote speaker at PACE's annual conference.

Mr. Heldt was a member of the faculty of the Hastings College of Trial Advocacy for 10 years.  He has been an instructor on advocacy skills for the Association of Defense Counsel and the California Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB).  Mr. Heldt was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2011 edition of Best Lawyers in America in the field of mass tort litigation.

While in law school, he was a member of the Thurston Society. He served as notes editor (1977-1978) of the Hastings Law Journal and has published two articles on the subject of constitutional law in the journal.